Traditional methods based on trap, adopt or euthanise have failed to control cat numbers. An eight-year trial of a more supportive community cat desexing program has been a resounding success.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on free-roaming cats
Displaying all articles
Most Australians don’t need to be persuaded of the benefits of rules that require owners to stop their pet cats roaming outside their properties. Only 8% of those surveyed were against this policy.
One-third of local councils have rules to stop pet cats roaming because of their major impacts on wildlife. More councils want to get on board but many are hampered by state laws.
Allowing cats to roam unsupervised is detrimental to humans, wildlife and the cats themselves. Managing free-roaming cats should consider the risks they pose to other species.
Top contributors
-
Jaana Dielenberg is a Friend of The Conversation.University Fellow in Biodiversity, Charles Darwin University
-
Professor of Wildlife Ecology, Australian National University
-
Emeritus Professor of Companion Animal Health, The University of Queensland
-
Adjunct Professor, Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia
-
Senior Lecturer, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne
-
Professor of Conservation Biology, Charles Darwin University
-
Project Officer, School of Earth and Environmental Science, The University of Queensland
-
Inidustry Fellow, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland
-
Clinical Academic, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland
-
Adjunct Professor, Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia
