Cat Chats is a video series where we learn from a range of people about the impacts cats can have on the environment and what we can do about it.
In the sixth episode we interview Dr Kate King and Dr Georgia Knudsen from Canberra Cat Vet to ask some questions about cat behaviour and how we can keep our indoor kitties happy and healthy.
Cat Chats is a video series where we learn from a range of people about the impacts cats can have on the environment and what we can do about it.
In the fourth episode we interview Dr Sarah Legge from the National Environmental Science Program, Threatened Species Recovery Hub (NESP TSR Hub) to ask her some questions about feral cats, domestic cats and cat containment.
If you’d like to learn more, here are the links for some of the things Sarah mentioned during the interview:
Cat Chats is a video series where we learn from a range of people about the impacts cats can have on the environment and what we can do about it.
In the third episode we interview Mr Gregory Andrews, Australia’s first Threatened Species Commissioner, to ask him some questions about the impacts of feral cats on native wildlife, feral cat management and the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy 2020.
If you’d like to learn more, here are the links for some of the things Gregory mentioned during the interview:
Cat Chats is a video series where we learn from a range of people about the impacts cats can have on the environment and what we can do about it.
In the second episode we interview the owner of Mr Petman, a Canberra-based business, to ask him some questions about cat containment and his work building cat enclosures. We also met Tom’s cat Bojangles and went on a tour of his cat enclosure!
Cat Chats is a video series where we learn from a range of people about the impacts cats can have on the environment and what we can do about it.
In the first episode we interview Dr Tony Buckmaster from the University of Canberra. Tony is a researcher who looks at the impacts of invasive species on the environment.
If you’d like to learn more, here are the links for some of the things Tony mentioned during the interview:
With 29% of all households home to at least one feline, it’s safe to say that Australians love their cats. The total estimated population of cats owned in Australia is 3.9 million, with an average of 1.4 cats per household.
A survey of cat owners in 2016 showed that 34% of cats are currently kept only indoors, while 7% are kept only outdoors and 59% are allowed to wander between the two. If you are one of the majority who lets your cat outdoors, have you ever stopped to wonder what your cat really gets up to?
A study of domestic cats has shown that in areas with high levels of outdoor cat activity, there are fewer bird species present. Domestic and stray cats have also been implicated in the population decline of species in suburban areas. Affected species include eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) and superb lyrebirds (Menura novaehollandiae).
Aside from the direct impact stray and domestic cats have on native animal populations, they can also add to the feral cat population. Cats which have not been de-sexed may breed with feral cats, and add to the population. Stray cats may also roam further from populated areas and end up becoming a part of the feral cat population.
But what is the difference between feral, stray, and domestic cats and why are feral cats such a huge problem in Australia?
First some definitions:
Feral Cats: live, hunt, and reproduce in the wild and do not rely on humans to survive.
Stray Cats: live around cities, towns, and rural properties. They are not owned by humans but they may rely on humans for some resources.
Domestic Cats: owned by humans and have their needs cared for by their owners. Domestic cats may be confined indoors or allowed to roam outside.
Feral cats are a real threat to native Australian wildlife
Cats are not native to Australia and were brought into the country as pets by Europeans. Over the last 200 years the feral cat population has continued to grow and spread as some cats became independent from their owners and established breeding populations in the wild.
“Australia’s total feral cat population fluctuates between 2.1 million when times are lean, up to 6.3 million when widespread rain results in plenty of available prey,” according to Dr Sarah Legge.
These research findings combined with the damage that feral cats cause to native wildlife are worrying for conservation managers, researchers, and government.
Conserving the biodiversity of our species in Australia is incredibly important as Australia is one of only 17 countries that are recognised as “mega-diverse” i.e. countries that contain a large number of different species which are endemic (found nowhere else in the world). There are between 600,000 and 700,000 species in Australia and many of these species are endemic, including 87% of mammals, 93% of reptiles, and 45% of birds.
What is currently being done to solve the problem?
In 2015 the Federal Government announced a plan to cull 2 million feral cats by 2020. This target is just one of the Australian Government’s 2020 targets in the Threatened Species Strategy. Some of the other targets include managing feral cats across 12 million hectares, and identifying our 20 priority mammal species and 20 priority bird species for conservation. The Australian Government has provided $6.6 million for threatened species projects which largely focus on managing the impact of feral cats but also work on improving habitats for threatened species.
The Federal Government aims to control feral cats in a manner that is humane, effective and justifiable and these policy principles were developed in consultation with the RSPCA to provide best practice management of feral cats.
While it is the intention of the government to manage feral cats as humanely as possible, not everyone agrees with the plan. Celebrities including French actress Bridget Bardot and British singer Morrissey as well as organisations such as PETA Australia and Animals Australia oppose the cull.
The culling of any animal as a management solution is a method that should be considered as a last resort. In the case of feral cats the cost is too great to native wildlife to not act. However, if we wish to move towards a future where culling is not a necessary management strategy, it is up to cat owners to play a role in preventing the loss of our native wildlife.
Why should I keep my cat indoors?
Many of the current management plans for feral cats focus on rural areas rather than urbanised areas. At least 376 threatened species listed through the EPBC Act are found in at least one Australian city or town.
“As well as strategically targeting areas for cat control in bushland to maximise the conservation outcomes, we also need to address the issue of feral cats living in heavily urbanised areas, where their densities can be 30 times greater than in natural environments,” according to Dr Sarah Legge.
Not only are feral cats found in higher populations in urban areas, they may also add to the rural feral cat population.
“As well as preying on the threatened species that occur in and near urban areas, these urban feral cats may provide a source of feral cats to bushland areas,” says Dr Sarah Legge.
Protecting native wildlife is important, but if you are still not convinced here are some other reasons you should consider keeping your cat indoors:
Indoor cats have a higher life expectancy.
Cats allowed to roam can be hit by cars or have other accidents outdoors such as accidental poisonings or falls, which may cause death or serious impairments.
Cats allowed to roam may get into fights with other cats or animals. Injuries can be serious and result in expensive vet bills.
Cats that spend time outdoors have a greater risk of contracting Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), which can lead to Feline AIDS and may be fatal. Australia has one of the highest rates of FIV infection in the world.
De-sexing your cat is also an important step in responsible cat ownership. De-sexing your cat prevents them from adding to the feral cat population and also results in your cat having less desire to roam, less aggression towards other cats, and a lower risk of contracting FIV.
Would you like to find out more about keeping your kitty indoors? You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.
We have some exciting video interviews coming up across August and September so stay tuned!
You can also send us your pics of your #indoorkitties to indoorkittiesaus@gmail.com for a chance to be featured on our Instagram.
Found a stray cat and not sure what to do? Contact your local RSPCA.
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