Shoalhaven City Council, and nine other local councils, have partnered with RSPCA NSW on the Keeping Cats Safe at Home project set to be delivered over the next four years.
The project aims to drastically reduce the negative impacts cats have on wildlife and encourages cat owners to keep their cats safely contained at home.
Council is encouraging community members to participate in a short online survey, What do you think about cats?, to submit their views about cats and how they are managed.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley said that whilst many cat owners were responsible, others appeared to be unaware of best practice when it comes to keeping wildlife safe.
“The program will help protect our unique wildlife, with domestic cats estimated to kill around 53 million reptiles and 61 million birds in Australia each year”, Clr Findley said.
“This vital program will help us all protect our unique wildlife, especially in areas such as bushland habitats on suburban fringes”, Clr Findley stated.
RSPCA NSW Project Manager Gemma Ma said the mammoth project was designed to change attitudes and behaviours in the community towards responsible cat ownership.
The feedback provided from the community to the online survey will be used to inform the future development of the project.
The participating councils include: Blue Mountains City Council, Byron Shire Council, Campbelltown City Council, City of Parramatta Council, Hornsby Shire Council, Northern Beaches Council, Shoalhaven City Council, Tweed Shire and Kyogle Councils, Walgett Shire Council and Weddin Shire Council.
The project has received funding of $2.5 million from the NSW Environmental Trust’s Major Projects Prospectus.
