The metropolitan domestic cat

A survey of the population characteristics and hunting behaviour of the domestic cat in Australia

Jim Millwood and Tim Heaton

Abstract

In April 1994, an extensive survey of the metropolitan domestic cat population was conducted by Reark Research, Pty. Ltd. In Australia in recent years, concern has been raised about the possible impact of cats, both domestic and feral, on native fauna populations.

Concern about the role of domestic cats in particular has led some groups to consider cat management options. Management decisions are hampered, however, by a scarcity of scientific infromation on the interaction of domestic cats with native fauna.

Previous research has shown that domestic cats are catching native wildlife. But - how many? To date, none of the studies published have used sample groups which reflect domestic cat distribution, making it very difficult to draw conclusions about the behaviour of the cat population as a whole.

Most people live in highly urbanised areas. It was suspected that a survey conducted over the full range of metropolitan populations would show that domestic cats in fact catch very few native fauna.

Petcare Information and Advisory Service (PIAS> thus commissioned Reark Research Pty. Ltd, an independant market research organisation, to conduct a detailed survey of the metropolitan cat in all Australian capital cities (except Darwin). The sample group was selected to represent domestic cat distribution within each city, thus ensuring that conclusions could be drawn about the metropolitan cat population.

The survey was to provide information on the hunting behaviour of domestic cats and determine the size, age and neuter status of the metropolitan cat population.

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