Survey shows local governments’ overwhelming support of cat containment as feral threat terrorises nature

A new survey has shown local governments across the State are overwhelmingly in support of keeping one of our favourite pets at home as feral threats continues to terrorise nature. The WA Feral Cat Working Group has unveiled the findings of a new survey revealing 78 per cent of local governments are interested in implementing permanent containment laws for pet cats. Despite overwhelming evidence Australia’s more than 5.3 million pet cats are capable of unleashing unprecedented damage to the country’s biodiversity, according to the working group WA has some of the most relaxed laws around responsible cat ownership. Despite a 2019 review from the State Government showing 73 per cent of respondents supported laws to prevent cats from roaming, which has likely only grown in the past six years, no such rules are in place. Working group executive Dr Bruce Webber said with such overwhelming support from local governments WA could quickly go from national laggards to national leaders when it comes to responsible ownership for pet cats. He said the response and interest from local governments in the South West was also particularly strong. “Our report highlights a long-standing challenge for local governments in Western Australia,” he said. “Their communities are calling loudly for cat containment, and they are seeking to implement solutions, but are all too often having their efforts blocked.” Shire of Dardanup president Tyrrell Gardiner said the council strongly supported changes to the Cat Act 2011 which would give local governments greater ability to introduce and enforce laws around responsible cat ownership — particularly provisions that enable effective containment and control of wandering cats. “We believe local communities should have the power to tailor cat management strategies that reflect their local environment, wildlife and community expectations,” he said. Dr Webber said we cannot wait for yet another review of the Cat Act to act on this mandate for cat containment as any solution would take too long to deliver and while the WAFCWG supported a review, there was a need for immediate change to give local governments more power. A State Government spokesperson said the Cook Government was progressing with the initial scoping phase of its next statutory review of the Cat Act. “The Cat Act already provides all Western Australian local governments with a range of powers to proactively manage cats within their district,” they said. “This includes powers to make local laws to address cats including to designate certain areas, such as nature reserves and parks, as cat prohibited areas.” However, Cr Gardiner said the current legislation only makes it harder for local governments to act. “This has stalled efforts like our own attempt to introduce a local cat law, which was ultimately blocked despite strong community and council support,” he said. Cat Haven CEO Roz Robinson said she was in support for a change in the laws as the shelter often sees cats injured roaming coming into care. “What is so frustrating for us is that the poor welfare outcomes from roaming could all be avoided with owners simply containing their cats to their properties,” she said. “Whilst there will always be the need for people to re-home owned cats, we could literally halve our annual intake. “Loving your cat isn’t about letting it free roam, it is about keeping it as safe as possible, and the only way you can do this is to keep it safe at home contained where you know it is all the time.” Invasive Species Council CEO Jack Gough said for the sake of several native animals, cats cannot be allowed to roam any longer. “Roaming pet cats are sending our suburbs silent,” he said. “Every year across Australia they kill more than 300 million native animals — wiping out birds, reptiles, frogs and small mammals. “WA is lagging the nation when it comes to ensuring responsible pet ownership laws and local councils are crying out for the State Government to step up and empower them to protect wildlife.” The review came after the WAFCWG was approached by Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley in 2024 to establish an understanding of how local governments are progressing best practice ownership of pet cats. The State Government spokesperson said Ms Beazley continues to engage with the WAFCWG and appreciates its input on finding solutions to managing cats in our neighbourhoods.