The Threat Abatement Plan for feral cats: implications for domestic cats

Abstract

The Commonwealth Feral Pests Program (FPP) is the first major government program that has seriously addressed the management of feral cats. The Program commenced in 1992, arising from the Endangered Species Program which found that feral animals were common factors contributing to the decline, or preventing the recovery, of many endangered and threatened species.

The aim of the FPP is to reduce the impact of feral animals on native species and the natural environment. The FPP funds research and management projects on the key threatening spieces: rabbits, foxes, cat and goats, particularly in accordance with the Endangered Species Recovery Plans.

About $400,000 is spent annually on feral cat management. The projects supported include:

• the ecology of feral cats in different environments throughout Australia;
• clarifying the effects of feral cats on native species;
• development of an effective baiting program
• refinement of conventional methods such as predator-proof fencing, trapping, shooting, tracking with Aboriginal experts and the use of trained dogs;
• assessing the potential for biological control

The Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 requires the Commonwealth to prepare a Threat Abatement Plan for predation by feral cats. This plan will guide Commonwelath action in managing feral cats. The primary focus will be on feral cats but given the links with stray and pet cats some consideration will need to be given to the management of all categories of cats.

Back to Urban Animal Management Conference Index

Back to Petnet