Pet cats are killers

About 27% of Australian households have pet cats and about half of those households have more than one cat. That amounts to around 4 million domestic cats. About a third of Australia’s pet cats are properly contained, the other two thirds are allowed to roam.

Not my cat #1

Urban, domestic, pet cats in Australia, (not including the feral ones) are estimated to kill nearly 400 million animals each year. It works out at about 180 animals per cat. Before you say, “My cat doesn’t bring home many animals”, consider that the research suggests the domestic cat returns home with less than 15% of its kills.

Not my cat #2

The University of Sydney research, LINK, suggests that 59% of domestic cat kills are native animals, birds, mammals and reptiles.

In Australia’s cities and towns, the pet cat density is between 40 and 70 cats per square kilometre. Many of them are ‘housed’ near wetlands, parks and bush reserves, making their predation of particular concern for areas that have been set aside partly for the preservation of wildlife.

Not my cat #3

Remember, this is the effect of the domestic or pet cat on our wildlife. Our feral cat problem is considerable too – a story for another day.

From the Baw Baw Shire Council website, LINK…

Registration:

“All cats over the age of 3 months are required to be registered with Council. It is a State Government requirement that they are microchipped in order to register with Council. Please note that microchipping is different to Council registration.”

Desexing:

“All cats living within Baw Baw Shire Council must be desexed.”

24 Hour Curfew:

“Baw Baw Shire Council has an order imposed under the Community Local Law 2016, stating that all owners of cats are required to keep their cat securely confined to the property and not allow that cat to wander outside the owner’s premises.”

Number of Cats:

“In accordance with the Community Local Law 2016, in a residential area, permits must be obtained to keep more than two cats (regardless of your land size). In a rural area, you can keep up to 5 cats without a permit.”

 

“If you're having an issue with wandering cats in your area, a limited number of cat traps are available to borrow from Council for up to 7 days (a refundable deposit of $63.40 is required).”

 

Infrastructure Victoria

Infrastructure Victoria is an independent advisory body which has three functions: preparing a 30-year infrastructure strategy for Victoria; providing written advice to government on infrastructure matters; publish research on infrastructure matters.

Among Infrastructure Victoria’s recommendations to improve planning for growth areas: target 30% tree canopy coverage in new growth areas by mandating coverage during precinct development, funding relevant Victorian Government agencies and local government to plant, replace and maintain canopy trees, and work with utility providers to remove barriers to tree planting.

The benefits of leafier streets are well documented.

Denser housing developments mean smaller back yards and more nature strip crossovers, resulting in less space for planting canopy trees. Vegetation offset requirements for new developments often result in the offset occurring far away from the original development – if they occur at all.

Buln Buln Rd Drouin October 2021

Infrastructure Victoria recommends: the Victorian Government should develop clear compliance guidelines for planning approvals and Precinct Structure Plans and undertake monitoring and enforcement.

Yes please!

Infrastructure Victoria – LINK