Is the wildlife threat mainly due to unowned and feral cats?
Feral cats tend to take more mammals than birds as a proportion of their diet. Rabbits, which are an introduced pest, can make up a substantial part of the cat’s prey when they are in supply. Unowned cats are not solely responsible for attacks on wildlife either. They may rely on their prey to provide a substantial part of their diet but humans and rubbish often supplement it. Pet cats are also instinctive hunters and will still hunt regardless of the food you provide for them. Animals, which escape from cat attacks, will often die within 24 hours through a combination of shock and infection. Are unowned and feral cats a major animal welfare problem? Yes, it is estimated that more than 100,000 cats are received each year in animal shelters across Australia. More than 80% of these cats are neither reclaimed nor rehoused but are humanely put down (euthanased). Cats are prolific breeders so it is important that all cats that are not going to be used for breeding purposes be desexed. The r
