Community Cats are Not 'Feral' - Channel 9, The Age, SBS
Victoria's State government sold to Channel Nine's ‘The Block’ tv show, a heritage building and land for only $1million = $38 per square metre, a tiny fraction of its value ‘for six high-end homes’. Then SBS news, and The Age published stories that the homeless cats living onsite are ‘feral’. Throwing us off the scent, by devaluing cats' lives? Politicians believing that targeting cats is ‘electorally popular’ ahead of Victoria’s November 28th election?
This girl rescued just in time:
https://www.facebook.com/darkone86/videos/2154688445148096/
This boy rescued after violence incited by the article: https://www.facebook.com/FFARau/posts/this-is-pirate-ham-%EF%B8%8Fyou-may-have-seen-the-cats-at-jacksons-hill-in-sunbury-in-th/1625101642994332/
These are Community Cats.
Feral cats do not live within two kilometres of human habitation.
Australian Cat Definitions: https://petwelfare.org.au/position-statements/cat-definitions
'Feral cats have no relationship with or dependence on humans, survive by hunting or scavenging for food, and live and reproduce in the wild (e.g., forests, woodlands, grasslands, deserts). Feral cats do not live in the vicinity of where people live, .. and are not found in or around towns, cities or around farm buildings. …(RSPCA Australia 2018; Victoria State Government 2020).
We need correct definition, before governments accept Community Cat Programs.
These reporters publish their harmful personal opinion on public national platforms - without factual research, without responsibility to the harm caused, without respect for felines, and also to females - not in a privileged position, and not able to protect themselves.
'Feral' makes more fear for the vulnerable. Placing rescuers, homeless cats, and the community, at risk. Forever Friends needs foster carers.
The Age: ‘Fertile feral cats the latest headache for The Block’
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/never-on-time-airline-aussie-golf-great-greg-norman-takes-swing-at-qantas-20261011-p614hm The Age/SMH CBD reporter Fiona Byrne has a Channel 9 email contact. Please make complaints to the Press Council that these cats at risk are Not Feral. Email: info@presscouncil.org.au
SBS news: 'They're furry, feral and living right where The Block plans to build' by Veronica Lenard,
Please make an SBS Code of Practice complaint: https://help.sbs.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/360002077796-How-do-I-make-a-Code-Complaint It might help prevent future SBS harmful content. I made a complaint to SBS, the article has been altered pending investigation, but the new url still has the word ‘feral’. The end addition sentence invites readers to consider these cats as 'feral': 'Clarification: This article has been updated to reflect that the cats at Jacksons Hill have not been definitively identified as feral.' https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/the-block-feral-cats-jacksons-hill/jcg2us59q
The original SBS news, and social media links to list (currently down) https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/the-block-feral-cats-jacksons-hill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DeQluiWl_tQ/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbsnews/posts/dozens-of-cats-are-believed-to-be-living-on-and-around-the-blocks-next-build-sit/1566986152139606/
Thank you if you can speak for, and help, silenced felines.
The Block’s bargain for $38 per square metre: https://sunburymacedonranges.starweekly.com.au/news/the-blocks-bargain/
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/09/victorian-government-channel-nine-sunbury-psychiatric-hospital