In the bustling streets of Melbourne, a heart-wrenching scene unfolded that has sparked a significant conversation across Australia. A young possum was found in distress, clinging to a road sign in the scorching heat—a sight that has stirred up a contentious debate about the freedoms of domestic cats in New South Wales (NSW), Australia’s most populous state.
The possum’s plight was first noticed by a child outside their school in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs. Wildlife rescuer Michele Phillips was called to the scene and was confronted with the grim reality that the possum had been attacked, likely by a cat, and was suffering from severe injuries. ‘It had to be euthanised because it had horrific injuries,’ Michele lamented, highlighting a tragic issue that many Australians are now taking seriously.
This incident has become a catalyst for a broader discussion on the impact of domestic cats on native wildlife. Michele, who has seen the devastating effects firsthand, stated, ‘Ninety-nine per cent of the possums I get in are due to their mums being killed by a cat.’ The evidence is clear: domestic cats, while beloved pets, can also be predators with a natural instinct to hunt.
The Victorian Agricultural Department’s code of practice for the private keeping of cats recommends that cats ‘should be kept indoors at night and preferably confined to the property at all times both for the cat’s welfare… and to protect native wildlife’. Michele’s passionate advocacy led to the City of Monash implementing a night curfew for domestic pet cats, requiring them to be kept indoors from 7pm or sunset (whichever is earlier) until sunrise.
This approach isn’t unique to Victoria. In Canberra, similar restrictions are in place in several suburbs, and now, there’s a push for NSW to adopt these measures. The NSW state government has announced a comprehensive review of pet laws, the first in two decades, which could lead to cat containment mandates affecting millions of pet owners.
The review will delve into various aspects of pet ownership, including registration, desexing, and preventing dog attacks. However, the issue of cat ownership is particularly pressing, given the staggering statistic from the Invasive Species Council that around 66 million native animals are killed by roaming pet cats each year in Greater Sydney alone.
Jack Gough, Interim CEO of the Invasive Species Council, has welcomed the review, emphasising the need for NSW to align with other states that have empowered local councils to introduce cat containment rules. ‘We need a cultural change to stop this, and that starts with empowering councils to bring in clear cat containment rules,’ he said.
The debate is not just about wildlife conservation; it’s also about responsible pet ownership. Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig highlighted the importance of strong laws that hold pet owners accountable for their pets’ actions both at home and in public spaces.
As the NSW government opens the floor for feedback on this critical issue, pet owners and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in shaping the future of pet legislation. The outcome of this review could lead to significant changes in how we balance the love for our feline companions with the protection of Australia’s unique and vulnerable wildlife.
What are your thoughts on cat curfews and containment? Have you witnessed similar incidents involving wildlife in your area? How do you think we can balance the love for our pets with the need to protect our native animals? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below—let’s work together for a solution that protects both our pets and Australia’s wildlife.
Also read: How a $10 hack is helping Australians save possums
