Managing roaming domestic and feral cats in Eurobodalla
Roaming domestic cats and feral cats are a growing concern in Eurobodalla. They have a major impact on native wildlife, the balance of our local environment, and the health and safety of our pets and families. Cats are much-loved companions, but it’s important to understand how roaming and feral cats can harm our community.
Roaming and feral cats
- Roaming domestic cats are pets that are allowed to wander outside their homes, often unsupervised.
- Feral cats are wild animals that live and survive on their own, away from human care. These cats usually have little or no contact with people and breed in bushland, parks, and reserves.
How roaming and feral cats harm our wildlife
- On average, a roaming pet cat kills about 186 animals each year, including 110 native animals (such as birds, reptiles, and small mammals).
- Four out of five pet cats that roam will hunt and kill wildlife, even if they are well-fed at home.
- Feral cats are linked to the decline and extinction of many native species across Australia. They threaten more than 230 native species and have played a major role in the extinction of 34 Australian mammals.
- Cats cause animals to spend more time hiding and less time feeding or caring for their young. This can lead to breeding failures and further loss of native species.
Why you should keep your cat at home
Keeping your cat safe at home isn’t just good for wildlife - it keeps your cat safe too. It:
- reduces the risk of accidents, fights, disease, and injuries
- stops them from being lost, stolen, or ending up in a shelter
- helps your cat live a longer, healthier life.
Responsible cat ownership means helping both your pet and community. Simple steps like providing stimulating play indoors or using cat enclosures can keep your cat happy and safe.
What Council is doing about feral and roaming cats in Eurobodalla
Eurobodalla Council is working with residents and groups to control invasive animals - including feral cats - by:
- providing humane cat traps to residents when required
- promoting and encouraging responsible cat ownership, including desexing, microchipping, and keeping cats contained at home to reduce roaming and wildlife harm
- running public education initiatives about keeping pet cats at home
- promoting local initiatives like the Eurobodalla CatBib Program (to reduce hunting). If your cat is microchipped, Council will give you a free CatBib:
What you can do
- Be a responsible cat owner - desex and microchip your pet.
- Keep your cat at home, especially at night.
- Provide lots of toys and activities to prevent boredom.
- Make your backyard cat-safe or use secure outdoor enclosures.
- Use the FeralCatScan online mapping tool to report and locate feral cats. This helps coordinate community and government efforts to manage feral populations.
Join the local community to help protect our local wildlife and environment. By working together, we can protect the unique animals and natural beauty that makes Eurobodalla special.
Resources for residents
- RSPCA: Feral cats and cat management - what you need to know
- RSPCA: Keeping cats safe at home
- Environment and Heritage: Feral cats
- Invasive Species Council: Cats in Australia
- Invasive Species Council: Pet cats in Australia
Contact us
For more information, or if you have questions about roaming or feral cats, reach out to our rangers:
- T: 4474 1019
- E: Rangers
If you have any questions about keeping your cat safe at home, contact our natural resource team:
- T: 4474 1000
- E: Natural resource team