A cat fight is brewing in a small town after the local council ordered the owners of the local pub to rehome the resident feline.
Precious, the 18-year-old cat, has called the Koumala Hotel, near Mackay, north Queensland, home for much of her life and is often seen relaxing in the pub’s pool room.
But the beloved kitty, who has been cared for by two groups of pub owners, is no longer allowed to stay after Mackay Regional Council spotted Precious in a “food handling area” at the pub 12 months ago, and a second time this week.
The council has asked the property owners, Rowena and Ray Colgrave, to find another home for Precious or keep her away from food handling areas.
The Queensland Government complies with the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code, which does not allow animals in food preparation areas.
‘The Food Standards Code states that a food business must not allow live animals (except shellfish or other fish or seafood) in areas where food is handled or served,’ its website says.
The Colgraves have owned Precious since taking over the pub eight years ago.
Ms Colgrave has requested an extension to allow all parties to reach a solution whereby Precious can remain in the pub.
Publican Rowena Colgrave with Precious the cat in her office at the pub on Wednesday. The cat has called the pub home for the past 14 years
The owners of the Koumala hotel (pictured) have been told by local authorities that Precious may have to be rehomed if they cannot keep her away from food handling areas.
“Our aim is to try and keep her because of her age more than anything,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
It’s easy enough to decide if a cat can adopt a new home, but when they’re 18, things are a little different.
‘(Relocating her) will shorten her life, I don’t care what anyone says.
“She’s frail and old, so I just want to leave her here.”
The Koumala Hotel is a traditional two-storey Queensland hotel with connecting rooms, making it difficult to keep Precious away from food handling areas.
Ms Colgrave is concerned that her pet may have to be locked up if it stays in the pub or left outside in a cage during the summer heat.
The innkeeper added that customers love seeing Precious.
He argued that the pub’s cats are necessary to keep unwanted guests away.
“It’s crushing season and the mice and rats are coming out of the cane fields,” he said.
The publican said that the laws are hypocritical.
“It’s really strange, actually, because Queensland has now changed its laws in line with New South Wales and dogs are allowed in a food court,” he said.
‘So, I’m allowed to have 20 dogs with my customers in my beer garden, but I can’t have a cat that catches rats.’
Ms Colgrave said she cried when she posted her original message about finding Precious a new home.
They are now determined to keep their beloved cat after receiving an outpouring of public support.
“I’ve had calls from councillors asking me to leave her alone, and also from people around the world who have sent me messages of support,” he said.
Precious, aged about 18 (pictured), has lived at the Koumala Hotel in Queensland for 14 years. But the local council is in talks with the bar’s owners to ensure she stays away from food handling areas.
The bar owners fear they may have to lock Precious in a room or put her outside in a cage when it’s hot (pictured is the Koumala Hotel, a classic two-storey Queensland hotel, home to Precious the cat).
Angry residents of the small town of about 700 have launched a petition calling for Precious to be allowed to stay.
“Precious is not just a cat; she is an enduring symbol of the spirit and unity of our community,” the petition states.
‘Please join us in our demand to allow Precious to spend her final years in the home she has known and loved for most of her life.’
Residents have also taken to social media to criticise the council’s decision.
“How ridiculous to do this to such an old cat! Why not let her live out her final years and then enforce the rule?” wrote one.
Another added: “Mackay Regional Council: Why don’t you focus on the real issues and go and fix the road?”
But Mackay councillor, former Australian rugby league forward Marty Bella, defended the council’s decision, adding that Precious would not be confiscated but food safety rules must be observed. The courier mail reported.
It is against Australian food safety laws to have live animals near food handling areas and where food is served (pictured is a stock image of a cook serving takeaway food in a pub)
Mackay Regional Council said it will continue to work to find a “positive solution” to ensure Precious is not in food handling areas.
Ms Colgrave said people knew Precious had been there for 14 years and she found it ridiculous that the council was only now wanting to do something about it.
“There are 200 cats at the animal shelter looking for a home in Mackay and they want to get this one out that has one,” she said.
But Mr Bella said the same rules applied to all food businesses.
“The law is the law. Justice must be blind, you cannot apply the rules to some and not to others, that is the essence of corruption, isn’t it?” he said.
Mr Bella added that people should research toxoplasmosis and other diseases that cats can transmit.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mackay Regional Council for comment.
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