Cats in Australia

BFS Landcare supports the Invasive Species Council in its work for better laws and protections for our native plants and animals from weeds, pests and feral invaders.

Cats have caused more environmental damage in Australia than any other continent in the world.

On its website the Invasive Species Council has information and some surprising statistics about the impact of cats in Australia.

“Affectionate, playful, mischievous, relentless, prowling, predator. Cat-lover or not, none of us can escape the devastating impacts they are having on Australia’s wildlife. Cats inhabit almost all of Australia and continue to drive many native species toward extinction.”

The website discusses what can be done and provides more detailed information on topics such as:

• The impacts of feral cats in Australia
  Feral cats have been an environmental disaster for Australian wildlife. They have already contributed to over 30 native animal extinctions and still kill billions more animals every year.
• The impacts of pet cats in Australia
  There are more than 4.9 million pet cats in Australia. With this number growing in recent years, it is important to consider how we best keep pet cats, and our native species, healthy and safe.
• Fact Sheet: The impacts of cats on Australian wildlife
  Domestic cats were introduced to Australia with the First Fleet in 1788, with many subsequent introductions around the mainland and to many Australian islands.
• Feral cats: scourge or citizen?
  The national Threatened Species Summit held in June 2015 brought welcome attention to the plight of threatened mammals, birds and plants. Top of the hit list were feral cats, with environment minister Greg Hunt proposing to cull two million of them by 2020.
• Feral cats: how we can solve this problem?
  Solving the problem of feral cats in the Australian environment will require long-term, well-resourced steps. But with the right will, it can be done.