PICTURE: The reason cats have vertical pupils is because it increases their depth of perception while hunting at night. This fact image adds weight to the keeping-cats-contained campaign advocated by The Invasive Species Council, and wildlife advocacy groups including MHCS. Image: Supplied
Cats are cluey creatures that can cause calamity for innocent little critters
A CAT is more than just an innocent ball of fur purring on the lounge room mat waiting to be fed. A cat is a hunter by nature and given half the chance will switch into this mode of action if allowed to roam outdoors. The result is not in the best interests of the local native animals that live there. Cats at birth come equipped with faculties to outsmart their prey. Here are three reasons why we must keep cats contained.
A cat has much more sensitive hearing than humans and their ears can be moved backwards and forwards
A cat also has much bigger eyes than humans and can see at night, meaning they are well suited to hunting native nocturnal animals,
And a cat has a very sensitive nose, adding to their range of abilities to track down native animals that might otherwise be able to hide away from predators.
The Science for Saving Species fact sheet is worth checking out.
Produced by Wildlife Health Australia it needs to be widely circulated – please share with your family, friends and networks.
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More councils need to put pressure on the State government
Local Councils need to step up and join the chorus of calls for cat containment.
CAT RUNS where pet felines have to be contained and “cat-free” suburbs could become common across Australia if local councils, backed by scientists, have their way, writes Claire Moodie in:Councils ramp up pressure on state governments to overhaul Australian cat laws (ABC News, 16.02.2023)
Key points:
- Pet cats kill about 340 million native animals a year in Australia
- The management of pet cats falls to local councils
- But many say their efforts to contain cats are being hampered by state laws
At a cat symposium in Perth in early February, scientists reiterated the massive toll cats take on native animals.
They said many people did not understand that domestic cats, as well as feral cats, were responsible for the devastation.
Australian National University wildlife ecologist Professor Sarah Legge, said:
“For a start, there’s actually more pet cats in the country than there are feral cats. We have over five million pet cats but … a bit over two million feral cats.”
“Pet cats kill wildlife but a lot of pet owners aren’t aware of that because they don’t see their pet cats hunting.
“But your cat will only bring back on average 20 per cent of of what it kills.
“So for every bird you find on your doormat, there’s another four lying somewhere under the bushes on average.”
“We have lots of areas with bandicoots, beautiful bird life and we know that they are taking a hit,” says City of Kwinana Mayor, Carol Adams.
Editor MMM – Too many people are living in denial. Since they find it too hard to self regulate, the sooner we have these changes enacted the sooner we help reduce the harm done by roaming domestic cats.
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Local Cat Law template
The NSW State government could amend the Companion Animal Act to allow for such a progressive and humane ruling for the mututal benefit of wildlife and domestic cats.
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LATEST NEWS FROM THE INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL.
We have good reason to celebrate.
ANDREW COX, CEO of the Invasive Species Council REPORTS …
“At the NSW election, we won many commitments including urgently reducing feral horse numbers and 100 new national parks staff focused on invasive species. One of a number of commitments from the Labor Party is:
To review the Companion Animals Act to ensure it is fit for purpose to protect wildlife from roaming pet cats.”
“While we have achieved a lot, there is still much work to be done. We will keep pushing for more funding and staff for invasive species management and biosecurity,” said Andrew.
“We must ensure the state catches up with the rest of the country when it comes to responsible cat ownership.”
MMM … Issue 37, April – May 2023