Objective 4 Increase public support for

Objective 4 Increase public support for feral cat management and promote responsible cat ownership

Objective 4 is particularly important for a species that is also highly valued as a domestic companion by many in the community. To gain or maintain support from the community to manage feral cats it is important to have ongoing education campaigns to raise awareness and change attitudes (as necessary) about the impact of predation by feral cats on threatened species and ecological communities. One of the significant challenges to overcome with this type of education is engaging different audiences in the right way. It is also important that the messages are believable, the source trustworthy and an emphasis placed on the contribution from the individual being valuable. This message must also include the emphasis that the threat is from predation of threatened species by feral cats, rather than cats intrinsically being bad.

Action 4.1 Quantify the proportion of the domestic and stray cat population that transitions to the feral cat population

All cats are the same species and may transition to and from domestic to feral. However, it is poorly known what the contribution of domestic and stray cats are to the feral cat population and the degree to which this has a significant impact on the threat of predation on threatened species. This is particularly the case for more remote communities or places where domestic cats are actively encouraged to hunt (e.g. farms for rodent control). A clearer understanding of how many domestic and stray cats make the transition will inform public education about responsible ownership or the control of stray cats.

It is noted that for some Indigenous communities the definitions of what is a domestic, stray and feral cat may be different, and a different approach to the management of these cats may be needed. However, these communities may also be able to enable quantify the transition of domestic to feral cat in their area if consulted appropriately.

Action 4.2 Promote to and seek engagement of the community in: an understanding of the threat to biodiversity posed by cats and support for their management; an understanding of the transitions between domestic, stray and feral cats, and the need for responsible ownership; and support for the containment of domestic cats where their roaming may impact on identified conservation areas

Action 4.2 focuses on gaining community support on three elements. Firstly, as outlined above, an understanding of the biodiversity impacts posed by cats. Secondly, an understanding that all cats may transition to and from domestic to feral. Incorporated into this understanding is the concept of responsible ownership, including responsibility for stray cats. An element of the need for responsible ownership is to investigate what the effective motivators are to enhance responsible domestic cat ownership in the community. Thirdly, while many de-sexed domestic cats tend to be more passive, domestic cats do negatively impact on native animals (e.g. Dickman and Newsome (2014); Grayson and Calver (2004)). The last element seeks support for expansion of 24-hour containment requirements for domestic cats, particularly close to identified conservation areas of significance. Introduction of containment requirements must be done in such a way (e.g. implemented over time) that it does not cause an unnecessary financial burden on those who cannot afford the containment options, or lead to dumping of domestic cats as an unintended consequence. As with all types of government regulation, education and enforcement should be necessarily accompany any changes.

Beyond our more urban areas, containment may not be an option in some more remote communities due to a general lack of infrastructure or resources, or different cultural attitudes towards cat-keeping. It is also acknowledged that in some rural settings, domestic cats are kept or stray/feral cats allowed to remain because they prey on mice and rats. For people living, visiting or moving to offshore islands, an understanding of the biosecurity risks and requirements related to cats is also required.

It must be noted that the Australian Government does not have the jurisdiction to legislate to require the control of domestic cats (or feral cats) as this is the responsibility of state, territory and local governments. However, as domestic cats may be a source of cats entering into the feral population and recognizing that they have impacts on native wildlife as domestic cats it is important to identify actions that can contribute to reducing this problem.

Action 4.3 Promote and seek community engagement on the reduction of food and other resources to stray cats

Action 4.3 considers stray cat’s exploitation of human resources. These include refuse from rubbish tips, food outlets and some small-holdings. Minimising or stopping the availability of food for both cats, and mice and rats on which the stray cats prey, may slow the rate of population increase and this may lead to reduced numbers of feral cats. For example, effective fencing of community dumps may remove this food and shelter source. The deliberate feeding of stray cats should be discouraged on animal welfare grounds. The concept of trapping, neutering and releasing stray cats as a method of population control should also be discouraged on animal welfare grounds and because it is not effective, except where populations are truly isolated and all females are neutered. As noted above for domestic cats, the Australian Government does not have the jurisdiction to legislate with respect to stray cats.

Action 4.4 Develop specific communication campaigns to accompany the release of new broad-scale cat control techniques and other current/new cat control techniques and management programs

Action 4.4 builds on the requirement to gain community support for feral cat management. In particular, the release of new toxic baits for feral cats, even with restrictions on their availability and use, may be of concern to elements of the community. An effective communications campaign will be essential for the successful roll out of such products.

Across all of the actions in objective 4 is the need for consideration of Indigenous peoples and their particular cultural values for and beliefs about feral cats. This is particularly the case in central and northern Australia where the land tenure by Indigenous people is high. These areas often have a rich diversity of threatened species requiring protection from cat predation. Culturally appropriate communication and education materials will be required.