HIDDEN DETAIL BENEATH FUR PROMPTS WARNING TO PET OWNERS

A photo posted by a wildlife carer in New South Wales illustrates the hidden harm that our cherished pets can inflict on other animals, underscoring an urgent plea to keep roaming cats indoors.

While dogs are often criticized more openly for their impact on local wildlife, cats are infamous among rescue organizations and are referred to as “silent killers” because the injuries they cause are often concealed beneath their prey’s fur.

Last week, wildlife carer Katrina shared a visual depiction of the fatal consequences suffered by a possum after encountering a cat in Wollongong.

How do cats pose a deadly threat to wildlife?

Like all animals, cats act on instinct and often “play” with the wildlife they encounter, much to the dismay of cat owners who discover deceased rodents and birds in and around their homes. While it’s widely known that cats hunt and kill creatures while roaming, their impact isn’t limited by the size of their prey, as larger animals can also fall victim.

“If the initial attack doesn’t kill them outright, many animals succumb to the bacteria present in the cat’s mouth, which is introduced under the skin through puncture wounds,” explained Katrina in an interview with Yahoo News Australia.

The bacteria in a cat’s saliva poses a “100 percent chance of infection,” prompting wildlife carers to urgently administer antibiotics. Most animals have a critical 24-hour window for treatment, some even less, before potentially fatal infections take hold, according to wildlife carer and data collector Shaun.

“I can say with absolute certainty that 30 percent of the animal rescues we respond to are due to cat attacks,” Shaun emphasized.

What can be done about it?

Wildlife advocates are advocating for more stringent regulations on cat containment to safeguard local wildlife. Research indicates that keeping pets indoors would not only benefit domestic cats but also reduce the impact of feral cats on the environment.

Regulations vary across states, territories, and council areas, but efforts are underway to limit roaming behavior. Last year, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) implemented new laws requiring cat containment to restrict movement in public areas. As of July 1, 2022, it is illegal for cats born after this date to roam freely in the state.

Local councils nationwide are implementing bans on roaming cats or imposing stringent night-time curfews. Cities like Brisbane, Adelaide Hills, and Bendigo in Victoria have recently tightened regulations, imposing penalties for non-compliance.

In New South Wales, five local councils advocated last October for cats to be confined within their owner’s property. They argued that inadequate cat management contributes to a range of issues including cat welfare concerns, impacts on human populations, and threats to wildlife.

According to the Australian National University, pet and feral cats in Australia collectively kill over two billion reptiles, birds, and mammals each year. Wildlife carers emphasize a straightforward message: keep your cats indoors.

“The Australian bush poses risks for our pets, including potential attacks and infections from roaming freely,” Katrina cautioned, echoing sentiments supported by empirical evidence now adopted by public officials.

“Pet cats that roam freely have shorter life spans on average and are more susceptible to diseases compared to those kept indoors,” remarked ACT Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel, highlighting the rationale behind announcing new cat containment laws in his state.