Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Reports Of Roaming Cats On The Rise

Roaming cats have become an issue that Mackay Regional Council’s Local Laws Officers deal with daily as new research shows the number of native animals killed by pet cats nationally has escalated by 34 per cent since the pandemic pet boom.

“We’re receiving an increasing number of calls from residents who are reporting stray cats roaming on their properties,” said Director Community and Client Services Janine McKay.

“Our region is home to many rare and threatened species, including the Eungella and regent honeyeaters, red knot shorebirds and the water mouse, just to name a few.

“Cats are natural hunters that will act on instinct when allowed to roam.”

The research released last month by the Australian National University for the Biodiversity Council, Invasive Species Council and Birdlife Australia found that roaming pet cats kill 546 million animals a year in Australia, 323 million of which are native animals.

It also showed that 71 per cent of pet cats in Australia are allowed to roam.

“A cat enclosure is the best way to keep your cat safe and prevent it from wandering, causing nuisance to neighbours and harming native wildlife,” said Ms McKay.

Ms McKay said a lack of desexing was another issue that was prevalent across the region.

“Desexing your pet is an important part of being a responsible pet owner,” she said.

“Unwanted litters of kittens are an ongoing problem for our Animal Management Centre and local animal welfare groups.

“RSPCA is currently running their annual Operation Wanted program, which provides discounted desexing to pet owners at participating vets until the end of August.

“We’re encouraging anyone with pet cats, in particular, that aren’t desexed to take advantage of this initiative.”

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