Handy hints for responsible cat ownership on Council’s website

Published on 26 October 2021

Did you know domestic cats are estimated to kill around 53 million reptiles and 61 million birds in Australia each year?

Council’s website (www.byron.nsw.gov.au/cats) now has lots of handy hints to help people keep their cats healthy and happy, while also reducing the impact of their pets on our precious native wildlife.

“There’s a lot more involved in looking after pet cats than people may initially think, and if you want to be a responsible pet owner there’s quite a bit you need to know,” Council’s Biodiversity Team Leader, Liz Caddick said.

“Cats that roam are much more vulnerable to snakes, ticks, parasites and diseases like Feline Aids. They are also more likely to be hit by a car, particularly at night. Keeping your cat indoors, especially at night, is the best thing you can do to protect your cat, and also helps protect native wildlife,” Ms Caddick said.

“And an indoor cat doesn’t have to be a bored cat, as long as its owners make time to give it lots of attention, and a variety of toys to play with. Our new web page includes tips on building your own enclosed cat outdoor play area, or ‘catio’, as well as video links explaining how to train your cat to explore the outdoors on a lead,” she said.

Byron Shire Council is one of 11 NSW councils working with the RSPCA on a joint project to reduce the impacts pet cats have on native wildlife.

If you’d like to find out more about where your cat goes at night, you can get involved and nominate your pet to wear a GPS tracker for a few days, or you can host a remote sensing camera on your property to find out what critters are out and about.

To get involved, visit go to Council’s website and click on the What do you think about cats? survey before 31 October. You don’t have to be a cat owner – the RSPCA wants to hear everyone’s opinions.

See Council’s website for all the details: www.byron.nsw.gov.au/cats

For media enquiries contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 6626 7320.