By DAN RYAN
Mittens the kitten will still be free to head out on their next adventure in the great outdoors, after a state parliamentary enquiry failed to recommend a full cat containment policy for NSW.
The inquiry’s final report, released on Monday, 18 August, found New South Wales may not be ready to adopt compulsory containment at either a state or local government level. It also warned such laws could punish those without the money or the time to microchip, desex, or provide extra care for their animal.
The decision has frustrated conservation groups, parliamentarians and local government representatives, who argued that stronger measures are needed to protect native wildlife. The Invasive Species Council estimates roaming domestic cats kill around 66 million native animals in Sydney alone.
“It's disappointing that this parliamentary committee didn't support a clear statement backing cat containment, but we continue to have positive engagement with [government] and understand that this is under serious consideration through the Companion Animal Act review,” Invasive Species Council CEO, Jack Gough said.
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“Despite strong public backing for cat containment, outdated laws in NSW prevent councils from acting. This is a stark contrast to other states like Victoria which empower councils to introduce containment rules, and over half have done so. The ACT has also mandated cat containment territory-wide.”
“It’s time to bring NSW in line with every other state. The idea that NSW is not ready flies in the face of evidence and experience in other states. This is a simple change to empower communities to protect wildlife and protect cats.”
Cowra and other regional councils currently have no power to require owners to keep pet cats contained on their properties, with local pounds regularly reaching capacity, an issue which was featured in a seperate Parliamentary Inquiry.
“Council is aware of an increase in the number of roaming companion animals within the Cowra Local Government Area. There has been an exponential increase in numbers not just in Cowra, but across the country since Covid,” a council spokesperson said.
“Currently, Council does not have ongoing support services for homeless cats, apart from the annual availability of the [Animal Welfare League] bus.”
The spokeperson confirmed that if legislation was adopted by the state government to mandate cat containment, with the right financial supports in place, Cowra’s cats and kittens could be indoors-only.
“If cat containment laws are legislated statewide, Council will adhere to and implement the requirements accordingly. Council also anticipates that the State Government will provide appropriate funding to resource the implementation and enforcement of any legislation,” the spokesperson said.
Research from RSPCA NSW shows that two in three cat owners have lost a cat to a roaming-related accident, with a third of these accidents involving cars.
In partnership with 11 councils across NSW, including neighbouring Weddin Shire Council, the animal welfare organisation has helped push a “Keeping Cats Safe at Home” project, developing feline management toolkits across participating councils to promote cat safety and enrichment.
For organisations like the Nature Conservation Council NSW, the price of keeping cats outdoors is one too high for our wildlife to pay.
“Owning a pet cat should come with clear responsibilities to ensure your pet is not roaming around killing our native birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs,” CEO, Jacqui Mumford said.
“Many of the actions required to protect our wildlife require complex legislative reforms and significant investment from the government. In contrast, by simply removing the barriers to local councils instituting cat containment, we could save millions of native animals.”
While the debate on how to protect Mittens from becoming a murderous street cat or a road kill statistic, Cowra Council confirmed the Animal Welfare League Bus will be making a welcome return before the year’s end.
“Council has been working with the Animal Welfare League to arrange for a follow up visit by the AWL bus,” a spokesperson said.
“Council can confirm that the bus will be returning to Cowra in the second half of October this year.”
