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Original poster

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

534 replies

JamBiscuitBun · 08/03/2023 07:33

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?

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ShimmeringShirts · 08/03/2023 08:13

@JassyRadlett humans are appalling for native wildlife across the globe, your argument is invalid. We are a damn sight more destructive for nature and wildlife than cats are. Perhaps there should be restrictions on people going outside instead?

MermaidMummy06 · 08/03/2023 08:14

And farms / rural and remote properties usually have different rules or considerations built in.

Redebs · 08/03/2023 08:14

CalistoNoSolo · 08/03/2023 07:38

I think it's an excellent idea, cats kill millions of songbirds every year in the UK. Polish scientists have classified cats as an invasive species as they cause so much devastation. It's about time the environmental impact of cats is recognised and acted on.

Yes. Totally agree. The damage to wildlife is terrible.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cats
Spanielsarepainless · 08/03/2023 08:15

All animals evolved for a free and outdoor life. Some species have been domesticated and now share our living spaces. Cats should be subject to the same restraint as dogs. In my lifetime dogs roamed freely whereas they don't now, so it's a situation that can be rapidly changed. There's always griping from cat owners but good on the Australians.

Redebs · 08/03/2023 08:18

At least keep cats indoors at night, for goodness sake

SomePeopleAreJustBloodyStupid · 08/03/2023 08:18

PortiasBiscuit · 08/03/2023 07:40

Cats are not indoor creatures, don’t care what anyone says.

correct

EekGoesTheBaby · 08/03/2023 08:18

I would love it. I'm continually cleaning up our neighbours cat poo in our garden.

MajorCarolDanvers · 08/03/2023 08:19

Cars are not indigenous to Australia. They are an invasive species. So legislation understandable there.

Obviously not the same situation here in the UK.

Different ecosystems.

So no it won't happen here. Sorry cat haters. Cancel the party plans.

lipstickontheglass · 08/03/2023 08:21

A cat decided to enter our garden yesterday whilst the dog was outside. It was very lucky to have survived - my dog sustained a few injuries and I'm a bit pissed off tbh. It's time cats were kept in their own space.

MajorCarolDanvers · 08/03/2023 08:22

Redebs · 08/03/2023 08:18

At least keep cats indoors at night, for goodness sake

Why at night?

CrapBag76 · 08/03/2023 08:26

I have an indoor cat. He used to be allowed outside but I got sick of the damn vet bills after he would get into fights with other cats.

there’s obviously also zero risk of him being hit by a car if he’s inside, or shitting in other peoples gardens, or killing wildlife.

tbh, I would never get another cat ever again. He probably is depressed being inside, but I do live in Australia and you are considered wholly irresponsible if you let your cat out to roam.

BitOutOfPractice · 08/03/2023 08:26

The sense of entitlement to own as many pets as you like, with no regard at all for the wider impact is endemic in the uk. I can’t help thinking that future generations will look back in amazement at the national obsession with domestic pets.

Logicoutofthewindow · 08/03/2023 08:28

Cats are awful IMO and no better than other vermin. I'd vote to keep them inside, off my garden and away from birds.

Siriusmuggle · 08/03/2023 08:28

MajorCarolDanvers · 08/03/2023 08:22

Why at night?

Show quote history

Mine is in at night. He’s jet black so difficult to see in the dark so at more risk of being run over. Also More risk of fighting with other cats/wildlife at night. Mine does office hours then he’s home for dinner and bed.

im sure I remember reading that birds kill more birds than cats do.

Tekkentime · 08/03/2023 08:29

It'd be kinder to not get a cat as a pet than to lock them in your house.

bamboonights · 08/03/2023 08:29

PortiasBiscuit · 08/03/2023 07:40

Cats are not indoor creatures, don’t care what anyone says.

Totally agree

Fifi0000 · 08/03/2023 08:30

My cat is nearly 7 I've tried to keep him in as he's an amputee since age 1. He won't have it , he cries he does a self imposed staying indoors when it's cold. He could never be an indoor only cat because it makes him miserable. I doubt he catches much as he's missing a leg.

TomeTome · 08/03/2023 08:30

Given the choice of cats or the rodents they kill I’d say cats are the better option. Surely you’ll get a rat population explosion if cats aren’t out and about?

bamboonights · 08/03/2023 08:31

I'd move.

fantasmasgoria1 · 08/03/2023 08:32

My current cat is an indoor one. In our area there are many cats so no-one says anything about poop in their gardens. How about we never take dogs outside? The amount of dog shit that dog owners do not pick up is horrendous. I don't like dogs at all but I do recognise their need for walks! Cats are entirely different. They like to prowl around their territory. Big cats in other countries kill buffalo, zebras etc domestic cats kill smaller prey. It's nature.

Swg · 08/03/2023 08:34

Do I like birds? Yep.

But I don’t like mice. Or rats. And my cats kill far more of those than they do birds and the RSPB maintains that the birds killed are generally the weaker ones. Bear in mind that blue tits for example have about 12 babies per clutch - losing a few is expected.

If you’re edging on country cats should be viewed as working animals.

onirgellep · 08/03/2023 08:35

This is the main reason we didn't get another cat after our last one died - he was a proficient hunter [baby blue tits to a wood pigeon] Wearing a bell and keeping him in overnight didn't seem to make much difference to the destruction

Also I don't agree with keeping cats indoors their whole lives so much as I'd like another cat we don't have one and I've had cats all my life

It's noticeable where we live [East Sussex] that there are many fewer cats than 10 years ago so maybe other people are thinking the same way?

Fifi0000 · 08/03/2023 08:36

I think if you can get a cat who's happy to be indoors that's great. Mine isn't he would probably be better off being euthanised if that law came in because he would be miserable. Trust me I've tried and I've had the vet bills to pay, the vet agrees that he will never be happy to be an indoor only so to let him. It might shorten his lifespan but at least he's happy.

NeverTrustAPoliceman · 08/03/2023 08:36

I would support any scheme that kept cats out of my garden. They are not a native species and have no right to kill our native birds.

That's before I even start on the poo issue...

carriedout · 08/03/2023 08:36

CalistoNoSolo · 08/03/2023 07:38

I think it's an excellent idea, cats kill millions of songbirds every year in the UK. Polish scientists have classified cats as an invasive species as they cause so much devastation. It's about time the environmental impact of cats is recognised and acted on.

Agree cats are very problematic animals WRT wildlife.