Cats banned from going outside in Australia, could it happen here?

[JamBiscuitBun]

I'm interested to hear thoughts on this. Article here I can't ever see it working in the UK. I also remember Australian farmers having apocalyptic mice problems on some of their farms, so I'm not sure how this fits in with that. Though there are many people who'd love to never have the neighbour's cat pooing in their garden again. What d'you think?

@Binfluencer

LOL. Do you have ANY IDEA how many species humans have caused to go extinct?

Perhaps you shouldn't be allowed outside?

Sorry. Are you laughing at this?

This is an effort to preserve Australia's most endangered wildlife. Uncontrolled cats pose a real risk to these populations. Why is that funny to you?

The problem is the cat density in a particular area.

Each area will only support a small number of predators. If cats were living in the same density they would be in the wild it wouldn't be a problem. But when you've got ten of the things in an area the size of a postage stamp it becomes a big issue, when they are killing everything within that area, fighting each other and crapping all over the place.

I think people should be limited to no more than 2, and that there should be a registration license for cats and dogs where they have to be chipped with an owner.

With some people the number of cats they have is a public nuisance.

Australia is home to many species of tiny mammals, which to cats look and taste exactly like mice. Antichinus, Pygmy Possums, Planigales, Dunnarts.

I live in country Australia, and own cats which happily live inside.

I agree.

I agree but equally as a cat and sand pit owner for the kids I really would suggest any sand pit be covered up. Not just to stop cats but bugs, rain water, flies, spiders etc.

Some cat owners are fairly responsible. Most of the cats around my area including my own are fairly pampered, neutered and tend to stay in there own garden or go to the woods next to us

There are native wild cats in the UK. There used to be a lot more but humans killed loads.
They're not native to Australia though I didn't think so perhaps different there.

I like cats, but good. I'd like to see a change in pet ownership attitudes in general, and as this is about cats I'll stick to discussing cats because whataboutery isn't helpful and this does need debating

It is undisputed that cats are responsible for the deaths of many wild creatures. They also have a tendency to defaecate in neighbours' gardens. Yes I know dogs also shit, etc etc, but this discussion is about cats. When allowed to roam they can dart in front of cars causing TRAs when drivers try and avoid them. So what can be done about it?

Firstly, owning a pet is a choice. No one has to have a pet, and if they do it doesn't have to be a cat

If they choose a cat it is possible to make a cat enclosure so they can't roam. This keeps the cats safe from traffic etc, while also keeping wildlife and neighbours happy

Only breed from cats with low prey drives to reduce the risk to wildlife, and only breed from cats who are content indoors. Personally, I'd like to see a major clampdown on animal breeding in general but that's a whole other debate! If this isn't viable, then make cats less of an appealing option for potential pet owners by saying they must be contained in their own home. For the most part they are chosen because they require minimal responsibility, so increase the responsibility and work that cat owners have and maybe we'll see fewer cats as a consequence.

Yes, and proliferating cats everywhere is one of the ways humanity is destructive to wildlife. We need to recognise that our pets do not have the right to slaughter birds and animals for fun, and we do not have the right to insist they can.

I'd also take cat shit over rat and mouse shit to be honest if we're ranking excrement. Particularly as they also have the lovely habit of constantly widdling.

Exactly, which increases the risk of Weils disease.

It's sheer numbers thst are the problem here, they should restrict ownership to two cats. Dogs are a far bigger nuisance to the general public than cats.

Well you wouldn't be able to have five cats would you?! The fact is, as gorgeous as they are, your neighbours are paying the price for your collection of animals.

My autistic child loves gardening. She loves to grow pumpkins every year and vegetables. Last year, next door's 3 cats ripped up EVERY SINGLE pumpkin plant in our garden, pooed in our small veg patch, rendering all the veg destroyed and wrecked all of my plants besides my Geraniums.
They've also pooed all over the grass, meaning my DD no longer wants to go and play on her expensive play frame as she keeps getting cat shit all over her shoes!

There's no point in me complaining to my neighbour because what can she do?However I think it's unfair to have multiple cats per house hold as like I said, it's the neighbours who pay the price.

Put it on a leash and walk it then. And pick up the shit. I don't want cat shit on my kids trampoline cause cat owners are too lazy to take their pets out for exercise

If my dogs were creating such a public nuisance I'd probably be fined and banned from keeping them.

unfortunately some dogs do cause a public nuisance but this is widely tolerated for some reason. Only farmers are allowed to shoot them if they are attacking or chasing their farm animals.

Blimey this poster. You could list what happens to other animals outside or humans even. It doesn’t mean the answer is stay in.

I built a large catio on our house when we got our cats- peace of mind more than anything, mine would love to free roam but are content with 24-7 access to catio.
I cant see the Uk imposing ban

Sorry haven't RTFT, but why is "but they kill birds" always given as a reason to get rid of/restrict cats?

Polar bears kill fish and nobody suggests culling the polar bears.

Birds kill worms, and we need worms. (theconversation.com/earthworms-are-more-important-than-pandas-if-you-want-to-save-the-planet-74010)

Won't anybody think of the worms!!

Sorry haven't RTFT, but why is "but they kill birds" always given as a reason to get rid of/restrict cats?

Because each population of prey animals can only support X population of predators. Cats are kept at denser populations, and have a negative effect on an ecosystem that is already under pressure.

Cat shit can carry Toxoplasmosis- which is a nasty illness to the unsuspecting gardener / child digging happily away on their own property.

Yes, especially the ones that roam and hunt. This is a very serious infection for some people. Disgusting, filthy creatures.

Good point think of the worms. And animals that kill others.. well humans might have an issue here

My cat is an indoor cat, she will sit and stare at an open door and not go out. We got her when she was about 3 and she had always been an indoor cat and once we got her it wasn't easy to see why. She is thick as mince the poor soul, she wouldn't last a day outside without strutting in front of a car, god knows what she would think of the local ferals, she would be ripped to shreds. She is 9 now and there is nothing behind her big saucer-like eyes, she's perfectly happy spending her days snoozing beside me and occasionally trying to jump on things and failing miserably, a fly can keep her entertained for days as she swipes at her own face trying to catch it. It really is in her best interests that she is kept inside.

Because polar bears and birds are wild animals and therefore in most circumstances (ie: usually where humans haven't interfered and messed up the ecosystem) they kill prey at a sustainable level, contributing to the food chain in their natural habitat.

Domestic cats are not native predators and their population is kept artificially high in many areas therefore they have a greater and more harmful impact on bird populations.

I love cats. I have two but if DH let me I'd have hundreds. They're wonderful. They genuinely bring me so much joy. They go out but they don't kill wildlife and they don't poo or wee outside. They would spend all day laying in the garden in summer but still get up and come inside to use their litter tray. They aren't bothered by other cats or wildlife. Well, one of my cats likes to eat flies but not interested in mice or birds. I also love seeing other people's cats out and about.

I agree.

I'd be happy.
Yesterday I read that in Cornwall a group of 12 year old girls got off their school bus and murdered a newborn kitten by swinging it around by its tail & biting it
So at least the cats would be safe from sick twisted "humans".

I'd rather people got catitos or put their cat on a leash to go outside.