In 2025 Local Councils vote on Domestic Animal Management Plans for the next four years. Many newly-elected Local Councillors are unaware of the scientific evidence. A One Welfare approach would optimise the well-being of people, animals and their environment. Please share the Knowledge - Give People the Power to Save Lives.
Holiday reading - please share Australian Pet Welfare Foundation's submission: https://petwelfare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Inquiry-Management-of-cat-populations-in-NSW.22F.jr_-1.pdf some excerpts are below this update
a petition against Australia's political cruelty: 'Stop the planned Australian eradication of ALL Stray cats - they are not Feral cats': https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-planned-australian-eradication-of-all-stray-cats-they-are-not-feral-cats
ABC Australia promotes eating cats. 2025's 'Eat the Invaders' https://iview.abc.net.au/show/eat-the-invaders "Pests like Cane Toads, Camels, Carp, Deer, Rabbits and Cats...Over six episodes, host Tony Armstrong - with scientists, land carers and an artist and a chef - will turn unwanted ecological trash into desirable culinary gold". Including MONA's Kirsha Kaechele Walsh, who in 2019 served cat consomme to guests, pushing her book of recipes: 'Eat the Problem' - a wealthy wife worsening attitudes towards Australian felines, and females. The ABC series has MONA's chef, Vince Trim, cook the hunted animals. Tony Armstrong: "I ate and loved it. It was the way that we hunted the cat as well...Don’t let your cat out. If they get out, they are a killing machine". - Sydney Morning Herald & The Age 24 Dec 2024 'Wait, Tony Armstrong ate what?' https://closerproductions.com.au/news/eat-the-invaders-coming-to-abc-iview-7-january-2025 https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/apr/17/sweet-and-sour-cane-toad-cat-consomme-kirsha-kaechele-serves-up-new-approach-to-sustainability Why is the Australian Government funding the ABC National broadcaster's misinformation - enabling hunting, hate-speech and cruelty?
Many politicians lack 'education'. At the Cat Lovers Festival, Melbourne, Oct '24, Animal Justice Party Victoria placed their stall, hawking for members, only in the Dog Lovers pavilion, where AJPVic staff repeatedly called homeless, urban cats 'feral', and did not know the evidence on Community Cat Programs. The Age & Sydney Morning Herald 30 Dec 2024: ‘Exterminate the brutes’: Should stray cats be killed or cared for? https://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/exterminate-the-brutes-should-stray-cats-be-killed-or-cared-for-20241223-p5l0cl.html
Cats are vulnerable to H5N1, both wild, and indoor-only cats, have died from infected food: https://www.animals24-7.org/2024/12/26/h5n1-hits-cats-at-wild-felid-advocacy-center-wild-pumas-in-the-olympics/
Australian Pet Welfare Foundation's 2024 report includes dairy working cats: https://petwelfare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Aust-Community-Cat-Program-2024-Report.pdf
In 2025, Please speak up against the Australian Government's Massacre/'War on Cats'.
Thank you, AdvoCats - You are so valued and needed
excerpts from APWF's submission to Inquiry into the Management of Cat Populations in NSW:
'Messaging that demonizes cats only leads to legislation and bylaws that are barriers to solving the problem, such as mandated containment and cat limits.
Community Cat Programs (CCPs) involving high-intensity cat desexing and microchipping programs targeted to areas with highest impound rates or cat-related calls, coupled with assistive programs to help vulnerable people care for their cats rather than surrender them. These need to be supported by state legislation and local bylaws.
Importantly, behaviour towards humans is an invalid test of whether a cat is feral or domestic. Despite this, many local governments and some shelters misclassify cats as feral based on behaviour in the trap cage or shortly after admission and euthanise them immediately or within the first 24 hours.
Recommendation 3.a.1: Do not have mandated containment legislation because it makes cat ownership illegal for disadvantaged families and is a barrier to semi-owners adopting stray cats. Instead encourage containment on the owner’s property and provide information about simple inexpensive ways to contain a cat, including bedtime feeding.
Animal Management Officers in NSW receive limited training regarding cat management, including assessing cat behaviour.
Australian studies were unable to detect a measurable impact in urban areas of domestic cats on native mammals (Maclagan 2018, Lilith 2010), or birds (Barratt 1998, Grayson 2007), but found that vegetation quality, housing density, distance from bushland and size of bushland were significant factors (summarised below). Other studies demonstrate the positive impact cat predation has by reducing the numbers of rats that predate bird nests (Matthews 1999).
Importantly, the NSW Wildlife Rehabilitation Government Dashboard (2021) shows that in 2019-20, 402 threatened species were reportedly rescued as a result of loss of habitat, 290 as a result of collisions with motor vehicles, 127 as a result of dog attacks and 31 because of cat attacks. ...
Do Pet Cats Deserve the Disproportionate Blame for Wildlife Predation Compared to Pet Dogs? NSW, Queensland and Victoria (Franklin 2021). Conclusion: The authors stated that, as others have concluded, hunting by domestic dogs and cats appears to be of relatively minor conservation concern compared with issues such as habitat loss and urban development. Therefore, efforts directed at habitat preservation are likely to be the most effective strategy to protect wildlife, as opposed to pet control regulations.
the southern brown bandicoot in a highly modified landscape near Melbourne. Findings: Bandicoot abundance was higher at novel sites where cats were common, than at remnant sites (cats were uncommon), with the highest abundance at the novel site with the most urbanised surroundings.
Domestic cat stomach content analysis study (Brisbane, Qld) Analysis of the stomach contents of trapped urban stray cats (domestic cats) in the City of Brisbane revealed that the only prey species consumed were introduced black rats (BBC Invasive Times Newsletter). Conclusion: Stray cats in urban areas are not a significant cause of native wildlife predation but predate introduced rodents.
Highly publicised impacts of cats in highly disturbed environments (domestic cats) on birds (Woinarski 2017), mammals (Murphy 2019), reptiles (Woinarski 2018) and amphibians (Woinarski2020) Flawed data collection and calculations. For example, the effects of domestic cats are extrapolated from just 5 studies, 3 of which were from rubbish dumps in small rural towns, and the other two explicitly stated they only analysed stool samples that contained evidence of wildlife remains and excluded those that had evidence of cat food. The authors then calculated that all 0.7 million unowned cats living in highly modified environments domestic cats) predated similarly to those samples analysed. Clearly these results are in no way representative of urban domestic cats, the vast majority are fed intentionally by humans (Rand 2024b).
Similarly, the effects of pet cats were extrapolated from 25 to 40-year-old studies of cats that were observed to predate and the authors then assumed that all 3.88 million pet cats predated similarly. For example, the authors estimated that every pet cat, regardless of whether it was contained inside or never seen to predate, killed 15.6 birds a year. This has resulted in a gross overestimation of pet cat predation, given that many pet cats are confined solely inside, and not all cats predate, particularly older cats.
Australian shelter staff are often required to repeatedly kill large numbers of healthy cats and kittens, resulting in a significant human cost. ...develop post-traumatic stress, which is associated with depression, substance abuse, high blood pressure, burnout, sleeplessness and increased risk of suicide (Australian Veterinary Association 2022, Baran 2009, Reeve 2005, Rohlf 2005, Rollin 2011, Tiesman 2015, Whiting 2011). “The effect on mental health is a very real problem, and veterinarians were the most affected – it was terrible to see the impact on them” (senior shelter staff member) “I have seen so many people’s lives damaged by having to kill a never-ending stream of kittens and cats” (senior shelter veterinarian)
In Australia, mandated 24/7 cat containment is already proven to be a failure at reducing wandering cats in both the short, medium and long-term. In the City of Yarra Ranges (Victoria), in the 3rd year after mandating 24/7 cat containment: • Cat-related complaints increased by 143% • Impoundments increased by 68% • Euthanasia increased by 18% (human population only increased by 2%) (Yarra Ranges 2021). In the City of Casey (Victoria), 20 years after introducing mandated 24/7 cat containment: • the number of cats impounded was still 296% higher than baseline (from 264 cats in 1998 to 1,047 cats in 2019/20), more than double the rate of the human population increase. • In 2000, Casey received 349 cat nuisance and related complaints which had increased to 376 complaints in 2020/2021 (Casey Council 2001 & 2021a, b).
What are the negative consequences of mandated 24/7 cat containment?
• Increases nuisance complaints because of community expectations that cats should not be seen, which leads to increased cat trapping and impoundment (Yarra Ranges 2021, Casey Council 2021, RSPCA SA 2022b).
• Significantly increases costs for local governments, with expenses for trapping, impounding, rehoming, or euthanizing cats averaging $500 per cat. This amounts to approximately $500,000 annually for just 100 additional cats.
• This has failed to reduce wandering cat numbers over decades (Boone 2019; NSW Animal Seizures – Pound Data Reports; RSPCA Australia 2021; Yarra Ranges Council 2021; Casey Council 2021; RSPCA SA 2022b).
• Increases euthanasia of healthy and treatable cats and kittens in local government pounds, shelters and veterinary clinics because the more cats impounded, the more cats euthanised (Kreisler 2022, Marsh 2010).
• Increases exposure to risk of severe mental health impacts for staff and community members, including depression, traumatic stress, and increased suicide risk associated with euthanasia of healthy and treatable cats and kittens. These impacts contribute to heightened rates of staff burnout, turnover, and attrition. Additionally, semi-owned stray cats, often cared for by emotionally attached individuals, face a significant risk of impoundment and euthanasia, with 42% of impounded cats in Australia being euthanised (Baran 2009, Reeve2005, Rohlf 2005, Rollin 2011, Tiesman 2015, Whiting 2011; Australian Veterinary Association 2022, Rogelberg 2007; Chua 2023).
• Mandated cat containment creates a significant disincentive for cat ownership, reducing adoptions and increasing euthanasia rates.
• Criminalizes cat ownership for low-income households and people with ‘door-dasher’ or “runner” cats. Mandated 24/7 cat containment ignores the social justice of legislation and the inability of low-income households and those with difficult-to-contain cats to comply.
• Mandated cat containment increases the risk of pet cats being trapped and euthanized. One-third of cat owners lose their pet at least once in its lifetime, with 41% of lost cats being indoor-only cats. Even microchipped cats are not fully protected, as microchips may not be detected on the first scan and require multiple scans over consecutive days to locate. Faulty or migrated microchips can further prevent identification, resulting in the unnecessary euthanasia of lost pet cats (Lord 2008, Lancaster 2015).
Mandated cat containment increases cat relinquishment and abandonment due to the added responsibility and potential penalties imposed on owners (RSPCA SA 2021-2022a). It can also negatively impact the welfare and health of some contained cats, leading to issues such as obesity, immobility, lower urinary tract disease, and behavioral problems, which further increase the risk of relinquishment or abandonment (RSPCA Australia 2018, Palmer & Sandoe 2014). ...
These policies can also result in increased cruelty risks associated with members of the public removing wandering cats from their property or public spaces.
(c) Welfare outcomes for cats under contained conditions.
Increased health risks
Confinement often limits a cat's ability to roam, climb, and engage in physical activities, which contributes to obesity and associated conditions such as diabetes and arthritis (Scarlett 1994). Studies show that indoor-only cats are more likely to be overweight than those with outdoor access, due to reduced opportunities for exercise (Buffington 2004). These conditions can not only reduce a cat's lifespan, but also negatively affect its quality of life. These health problems can lead to secondary complications, including diabetes and joint disorders (Slingerland 2009, Appleton 2001). Cat containment can increase the likelihood of urinary tract disease, which is often exacerbated by stress or reduced water intake in confined cats (Buffington 2004). These health issues not only reduce a cat's lifespan but also negatively affect its quality of life,
Increased behavioural issues.
...The inability to engage in natural behaviours has been linked to the development of stereotypic behaviours, such as overgrooming and pacing, as well as other signs of stress (Ellis 2009). (Ellis 2009, Vitale 2015). Other common problems include destructive scratching, excessive vocalization, and inappropriate elimination. For many cats, the lack of environmental enrichment under containment conditions can lead to a decline in mental well-being, increasing the risk of behavioural issues that may ultimately lead to surrender or abandonment (RSPCA Australia 2018, Palmer & Sandoe 2014). ...
Additionally, containment may expose cats to increased risks of cruelty and neglect. ...
Mental Health Impacts
The trap-adopt-kill approach inflicts severe mental health consequences on staff responsible for euthanising healthy and treatable cats and kittens, leading to issues like depression, traumatic stress, substance abuse, and even suicide (Baran 2009, Reeve 2005, Rohlf 2005, Rollin 2011, Tiesman 2015, Whiting 2011). Community cat carers and semi-owners also experience emotional distress when cats they care for are trapped and euthanised (Neal 2023). Euthanising healthy and treatable animals is a recognized factor contributing to burnout among veterinarians and shelter staff, and it is directly linked to high turnover rates (AVA 2022;Rogelberg 2007). As one seasoned animal management officer described, “Would you like to spend your workday picking up cats to take to die?” She expressed feeling like a “glorified pet-killing taxi driver.”
f) The effectiveness and benefits to implementing large scale cat desexing programs.
Community Cat Programs are based on high-intensity free cat desexing, microchipping and registration, targeted to areas of high cat impoundments and cat complaints, coupled with anassistive approach to help vulnerable people keep their cats (Rand 2024; Cotterell 2024).
Community Cat Programs do effectively reduce the number of free-roaming cats in the target area (Dutton-Regester, unpublished data 2024),
Recent Australian data demonstrate that Community Cat Programs are cost effective and result in a 30-50% decrease in local government pound cat impoundment, more than an 80% reduction in cat euthanasia and a 30-50% decrease in cat nuisance complaints over 3 to 4 years, with these parameters reflecting the decrease in the surrounding free-roaming cat population (Cotterell 2024, City of Banyule 2020, RSPCA NSW 2023, Rand 2024).
Community Cat Programs are effective at the city level in urban areas to decrease cat impoundments and cat-related complaints. For example, between 2013 and 2021 the City of Banyule, Victoria used a micro-targeted approach for the desexing strategy, and over that 8-year period, impoundments decreased by 66% and euthanasia by 82%. Banyule spent $77,660 on desexing but saved $303,490 from reduced cat intake alone (Cotterell 2024). The program has also further saving of $137,170 to council for reduced cat related calls, the total estimated saving $440,660 (Cotterell 2024). The program successfully transformed semi-owners into full owners as part of a Community Cat Program.. This contrasts with the 143% and 296% increase in cat impoundments associated with implementation of mandated 24/7 cat curfew in the Yarra Ranges and Casey, Victoria
Conclusion
The most viable solution to the cat overpopulation crisis lies in the implementation of Community Cat Programs combined with a community-assistance or outreach approach. By supporting high intensity cat desexing and microchipping programs that are targeted and microtargeted to the most problematic areas for cat impoundments or cat-related calls, cat overpopulation can be humanely and sustainably addressed. This should be combined with a community-focused strategy that assists households to care for and keep their cats, including taking ownership of semi-owned cats. This will lessen the burden on formal animal management, and enhance public trust in animal welfare policies.
These strategies need to be supported by appropriate legislative changes that recognise definitions of feral and domestic cats based on RSPCA recommendations, remove legislative barriers to desexing by allowing continuing care for semi-owned desexed cats in their home location (TNR) and allowing healthy cats that would otherwise be killed, to be desexed, microchipped and returned to their home (RTF). Other barriers for owners and semi-owners to have cats desexed and microchipped, including registration, breeder permit fees and cat-limits should be removed
One Welfare aligned policies that drive measurable decreases in the number of free-roaming cats, cat-related complaint calls to councils, cat impoundments and euthanasia, and benefit the wellbeing of animals, humans and their physical and social environments.'
(photo: Pixabay - AlešHáva)