Protect your cat protect your wildlife
Have you noticed that there are no longer any small birds or lizards in your garden? Do you miss the sounds of the bush? Do you or your neighbours own a cat?
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| This information sheet shows you, the cat owner, what you are now required to do legally, how to help conserve our unique wildlife, dispels some myths about cats, and outlines just how great an impact cats have on wildlife. Australia’s wildlife is both unique and special. The many kinds of marsupials, birds, reptiles and frogs living in this country evolved in an environment that did not include cats. Cats are introduced predators with which our native wildlife cannot live. While native predators do exist, these have evolved in a way that preserves a natural balance between animals, plants and the land. The relatively recent addition of cats to our environment has upset this natural balance because cats are very efficient destroyers of wildlife. For more information on the effect of cats on native wildlife see the Action Statement Predation of native wildlife by the Cat Felis catus. |  |
Since the introduction of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act in 1996, all cat owners in Victoria are legally required to register cats aged over six months with their local council each year.
Councils are required to issue an identification tag to the owner. This tag must be worn at all times when the cat is outside its owners property.
The Act also contains a mechanism to provide protection to a property owner who does not wish to have neighbouring cats entering their property.
Councils wishing to restrict the presence of cats on public areas or requiring owners to keep cats on their own property, particularly at night, may exercise a number of options:
- Under Section 25 a Council may make an order specifying hours during which a cat may not be outside its owners premises.
- Under Section 26 a Council may make an order to prohibit the presence of cats in any public area of the municipal district of the Council.
- Under Section 42 a Council may make a local law prohibiting or regulating the keeping of cats in a specified area of the municipality where threatened native fauna are at risk of attack.
Not all councils have the same local laws or orders regarding the confining of cats. You need to check your local regulations at the council offices.
How many cats live in Victoria?
There are still a large number of cats in Victoria that are not registered, or not properly cared for. Are you a responsible owner? |  |
| Do cats harm wildlife? All cats, even well-fed pet cats, can kill wildlife. In Victoria, on average, each pet can kill 25 creatures every year; this adds up to 12.5 million creatures every year. At the same time, feral cats eat the equivalent of seven native rosellas each week, over 70 million creatures each year. Most wildlife killed by roaming pet cats is often caught just outside the back door. All cats, including your pet cat, hunt by instinct. Often a captured bird or possum will appear undamaged but, almost certainly, it will die within 36 hours from shock or infection. Cats’ mouths are hot-beds of bacteria. One bite to a native animal leads to rapid spread of infection against which it has little resistance. Cats carry Toxoplasmosis, a disease which can devastate wildlife populations. | Cats threaten the future survival of wildlife |
Cats will kill some rats and mice. However, readily available household poisons are a more effective and efficient way of treating a rodent problem. The most effective poisons contain anti-coagulants such as Bromadiolone. These are readily available from supermarkets.
Don’t cats control snakes?
As snakes are native wildlife they are protected by law. Having a cat is no deterrent to snakes and cats can be killed by snakes.
If you are concerned about snakes around your house:
- be alert
- remove piles of rubbish and other shelter
- keep the grass near the house very short
- keep garden ponds (which attract frogs, a favourite food of snakes) away from children’s play areas
Can cats and wildlife live together?
Cats reduce wildlife populations by predation, diseases and competition. When combined with habitat loss and failing natural processes Australia’s wildlife is struggling to survive.
Keep cats and wildlife apart.
You can do this by keeping your cat confined, most importantly at and between dusk and dawn. Ideally indoors at night, and during the day outdoors by building a special cat enclosure. For ideas see Keeping your cat happy and safe.
Not all councils have the same local laws or orders regarding the confining of cats. You may be required to confine your cat for part or all of the day, check your local regulations at the council offices.
Why do we have cats as pets?
Well cared-for cats can be wonderful companion animals BUT ...
- roaming pet cats can annoy neighbours
- noisy cat fights or mating calls are disruptive to the night-time neighbourhood
- uncontrolled stray and feral cats are a serious community problem
- wildlife cannot survive increasing predation, competition and disease from cats.
| How can I better protect cats and wildlife? Having a pet cat is a privilege. Remember, a pet requires a lifetime of proper care. Properly cared-for pet cats will live for over twelve years, few pet cats living outside survive as long as three years.
| Protect your cat, protect your wildlife. |
Your local council
Regional offices
Customer Service Centre (03) 136 186
Bureau of Animal Welfare 9217 4228
Cat Protection Society (03) 9434 7155
Lost Dogs Home and Western Cat Shelter (03) 9329 2755
RSPCA (03) 9224 2222
Wildlife Care Network 016 373 931
Your local veterinarian
Visit DPI/DSE website www.pets.info.vic.gov.au
Or Freecall 1800 502 000