The $6M program, Keeping Cats Safe at Home funded by the Environmental Trust, will help another 19 councils to curb the devastating impact cats have on our native wildlife, as well as help pet cats live longer, taking the total to 30 councils.
The program focuses on increasing rates of desexing, microchipping and lifetime registration while encouraging the uptake of voluntary containment of pet cats.
Domestic cats are estimated to kill many of our native animals each year, including an estimated 53 million reptiles, 61 million birds, and 67 million mammals.
We also know that two-in-three cat owners have lost a pet to a roaming-related accident, with a third of accidents involving cars.
The Keeping Cats Safe at Home program has successfully demonstrated that bringing together councils, veterinarians, wildlife groups, and the community results in more households using responsible cat-care practices.
Results from the pilot program involving 11 councils include:
• Reducing free-roaming cats by 50% in the Blue Mountains, 35% in Campbelltown, and 25% in Tweed Shire council areas.
• Desexing more than 2,700 cats and microchipping more than 1,700 cats across 11 council areas.
• Cutting cat-related nuisance complaints by more than 40% in seven council areas.
The expansion of the program will include a new statewide social marketing campaign to encourage communities to end cat homelessness and prevent domestic cats from roaming away from their home.
This will help keep cats out of shelters and improve animal welfare outcomes in NSW.
RSPCA NSW CEO, Mr Steven Coleman said the RSPCA is dedicated to improving the lives of all creatures great and small, and the Keeping Cats Safe At Home program delivers a win-win solution that benefits both pets and native wildlife.
