Our Compassion is their Hope
Help Us Help Them
BSB 062-813
ACC 10410519
RON 251000049
ABN 64269959472
CFN 23418
A Hunter foster care based rescue, we do not have a Shelter. Hunter Valley Cat Haven
Official Social Media, Defamation & Public Communication Policy
Effective Date: 28 April 2025
Approved By: Hunter Valley Cat Haven Committee
1. Purpose
Hunter Valley Cat Haven (“HVCH”) is a volunteer-
run organisation dedicated to the
rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of abandoned and neglected cats and kittens
throughout the Hunter region. This policy establishes clear standards for public
communication and social-media engagement, ensuring respectful, factual, and lawful
interaction between HVCH and the community.
2. Facebook, Instagram); all comments, messages, and public interactions directed at HVCH
or its representatives; and all members of the public engaging with HVCH content or
discussing its operations online.
3. Official Communication Channels
All complaints, concerns, or questions must be submitted only via email to:
[email protected]. HVCH does not manage, review, or respond to
issues raised via Facebook Messenger, public comments, or other social-media
messaging platforms. Volunteers may not provide official responses via personal
accounts.
4. Commenting and Page Use
HVCH’s social-media pages exist to promote animal welfare, adoption, and rescue
awareness. They are not forums for debate, disputes, or personal commentary. HVCH
reserves the right to remove or restrict access to its platforms where necessary to maintain
a respectful environment. Comments are not monitored in real time; therefore, concerns
should never be raised via comment threads.
5. Moderation and Conduct
HVCH welcomes constructive and respectful engagement from the public. However, the
following behaviour is strictly prohibited on any HVCH platform:
• Defamatory or slanderous statements
• Harassment, bullying, or intimidation of HVCH volunteers, adopters, or supporters
• False or misleading claims about HVCH operations, volunteers, or animals
• Hostile or disruptive trolling behaviour
Consequences: Any prohibited content will be immediately deleted, and the responsible
individual blocked without notice. Serious or repeated conduct may be documented and
referred for legal review.
6. Defamation and Legal Considerations
Under the Defamation Act 2005 (NSW), defamation occurs when false or misleading
statements are published that harm the reputation of an individual or organisation. This
includes written posts, comments, or shares on social media. HVCH takes all defamatory or slanderous publications seriously. Any public post,
comment, or message containing defamatory content against HVCH, its volunteers, or
affiliates will be preserved as evidence and referred for legal assessment and action
where appropriate. Individuals found to have published defamatory statements may be held personally liable
for damages and legal costs under Australian law.
7. Respectful Engagement
HVCH encourages open communication conducted in a respectful and factual manner. Members of the public are urged to contact the organisation directly via the official email
address to resolve concerns privately and constructively. Social-media hostility or
misinformation hinders our ability to focus on rescue work and directly impacts the welfare
of the cats we care for.
8. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or as required to remain compliant with Australian
legislation and best practice in volunteer management and public communication.
9. Contact Information
For all official correspondence, please contact:
[email protected]
Hunter Valley Cat Haven
Hunter Region, NSW
HUNTER VALLEY CAT HAVEN IS NOT A SHELTER/FACILITY
We are only a small Rescue with very limited resources. We receive no funding or sponsorship. We work, have families, our own appointments, and commitments along with our own pets. Stray cats-The problem of stray cats is a community problem. It’s not any Rescues sole responsibility. We along with all Rescues are doing what we can! If we could we would help every cat and kitten but sadly we just can not! Colony cats-there are sadly colonies everywhere
We can not attend your property/work place or any other area to catch and rehabilitate- we have approximately 20 long term street cats that are not adoptable in permanent care. We can not accept anymore into our care. We DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE. We simply can not help. Private surrenders-we are not able to take your cat in, your cat is your responsibility not ours. WE SIMPLY HAVE NOWHERE TO PUT YOUR CAT! Picking up stray cats-we are not Council Rangers, we do not run a Council Facility
We are not able to pick up and impound stray cats. If you have trapped a cat we can not come and pick it up, nor can you drop it off. There is no Shelter/Facility. Before you set cat traps please have a plan in place as it’s your responsibility once you trap a cat, not ours! Contact your local Council for more information! Injured animals-contact the RSPCA or a Vet Practice immediately. Your cat had another litter of kitten’s-it’s your responsibility to have your cat desexed. We help with our Last Litter Program, please private message us for more details
We ask that you understand all the above and stop putting so much pressure on Rescues as we battle through another horrendous kitten season. We understand your frustration when you can’t find help. We are frustrated too as we can’t get help either. There’s only so much we can do. Rudeness is not tolerated and you will be blocked. Lastly we would like to thank our loyal supporters, without you we would simply close. We appreciate everything you do and for understanding that this is the hardest time of the year for Rescues.
