Understanding the Rise and Role of Cats in Australia

Cats have been a part of Australian culture for thousands of years, with evidence of their presence dating back to the arrival of the first Aboriginal people.

The first recorded introduction of domestic cats to Australia was by European settlers in the late 18th century, who brought them over as pets and to control the rodent population.

These early cats were primarily of European breeds, but over time they interbred with feral cats and other domestic cats, leading to the unique feral cat population found in Australia today.

The feral cat population in Australia is estimated to be around 2.7 million, with many of these cats living in rural areas and having a significant impact on native wildlife.

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Cats have a rich history in Australia, dating back to the 17th century with possible early introductions. European settlers brought cats out as pets during the late 18th century, specifically with the First Fleet in 1788.

Cats were initially rare as household pets until the 1830s, when they became more popular due to their ability to control rodents in urban areas. Local Aboriginal people recall cats being brought to the Swan River Colony in Western Australia from Britain during its 1829 foundation.

The first feral cats were recorded in Sydney in 1824 and in Western Australia in the 1840s, marking the beginning of a significant problem. By 1890, cats had spread to their approximate current mainland distribution of over 90%.

Cats were first introduced to Australia in 1788 with the First Fleet.

Historical records show that Edward Henty brought cats to the Portland Bay district in Victoria in 1824.

Cats were initially rare as household pets until the 1830s when they began to grow in popularity due to their ability to control rodents in urban areas.

The first feral cats were recorded in Sydney in 1824 and in Western Australia in the 1840s.

Cats were promoted under government policy as a rabbit control and were first released in the 1880s in Victoria's Wimmera and outback South Australia.

By 1890, cats had spread to their approximate current mainland distribution of over 90%.

Cats were first introduced to Australia by European settlers during the late 18th century, specifically with the First Fleet in 1788.

Historical records show that Edward Henty brought cats to the Portland Bay district in Victoria in 1824, and it's believed that cats were also brought to the Swan River Colony in Western Australia from Britain during its 1829 foundation.

The first feral cats were recorded in Sydney in 1824, and in Western Australia in the 1840s.

Cats were released into the wild in the 1880s to control rabbits and mice, but this actually aided their spread across outback Australia.

By 1890, cats had spread to their approximate current mainland distribution of over 90%.

Feral populations were growing in remote Western Australia and Victoria in the late 1890s, and despite efforts to control them, cats continued to be released into remote areas to control rabbits.

Today, feral cats exist over much of Australia and have successfully colonised most habitats.

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Domesticated cats are a common sight in Australian households, with approximately 95% of the 5.3 million kept as pets being neutered. Almost 30% of Australian households keep at least one domesticated cat.

In fact, domesticated cats are a significant contributor to Australia's native wildlife decline, with each cat estimated to kill around 110 native animals per year. This totals up to around 80 million native birds, 67 million native mammals, and 83 million native reptiles being killed by domesticated cats annually.

Domesticated cats must be microchipped in every state of Australia except Tasmania, and all pet cats past six months of age must be desexed in the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia.

Domesticated cats are a common sight in many Australian households. Approximately 30% of households keep at least one domesticated cat.

In 2023, there were 5.3 million domesticated cats kept as pets in Australia. These cats are mostly neutered, with around 95% being spayed or castrated.

Domesticated cats are required to be microchipped in most states, but not in Tasmania. This is an important step in ensuring their safety and identification.

In some states, domesticated cats must be desexed by the age of six months. This includes the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia.

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Feral cats are often difficult to distinguish from domestic cats due to their agile bodies and acute senses.

Their bodies are well-suited for hunting, allowing them to thrive in the wild.

Adult male feral cats typically weigh between 3.4 to 6.4kg, with an average weight of 4.5kg.

Adult female feral cats usually weigh between 2.4 to 4.4kg, with an average weight of 3.2kg.

Striped tabby is the most common coat colour of feral cats in Australia.

Other common coat colours include blotched tabby and black, while less common colours like ginger or grey can also be seen.

Some domestic cat breeds have characteristics like very long coats or flat faces, but these are not typically found in feral cats.

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Domesticated cats can be quite active, especially around sunrise and sunset, when they tend to be most active.

Their natural instincts often lead them to roam around and explore their surroundings. In fact, some domesticated cats can have home ranges of up to 10 kilometers, although this can vary depending on the availability of food resources.

In rural areas, domesticated cats tend to have larger home ranges, possibly due to the scarcity of food. On the other hand, in peri-urban areas where food is more abundant, their home ranges tend to be smaller.

Domesticated cats often prefer to rest in sheltered areas during the day, just like their feral counterparts. This could be a cozy spot in a garden or a quiet corner of the house.

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In Australia, the fortunes of domesticated cats are closely tied to the introduction of rabbits, which happened in the 19th century.

The introduction of rabbits coincided with land management practices that allowed species to be introduced and removed without consequence.

Cats have thrived in Australia, becoming a major threat to native wildlife, particularly rabbits.

People have been releasing pets into the wild for decades, despite warnings from experts.

Feral cats are a major problem in Australia, with estimates suggesting there are between 2 million and 6 million of them roaming the country. They're highly adaptable and can be found in every habitat, from rainforests to deserts.

Feral cats are responsible for the extinction of at least 25 native mammal species and threaten the survival of over 100 other native species. They're also implicated in the extinction of some Australian birds that were restricted to islands.

The impact of feral cats on native wildlife is staggering, with estimates suggesting 272 million birds, 470 million reptiles, and 815 million mammals are killed each year.

Feral cats are a major concern in Australia, with estimates suggesting there are between 2 million and 6 million of them roaming the country.

Feral cats are highly adaptable and can be found in every habitat in Australia, from the wettest rainforests to the hottest deserts.

They are incredibly fast, agile, and good climbers, making them effective hunters.

In fact, cats have been responsible for over two-thirds of Australia's mammal extinctions since European settlement.

This is a staggering statistic, and it's no wonder that feral cats are considered a primary contributor to the imperilment of at least 360 threatened reptile, bird, and mammal species worldwide.

Some of the species that have been lost forever due to feral cat activity include the lesser bilby, the Nullarbor dwarf bettong, and the desert rat-kangaroo.

These native animals were once thriving, but are now extinct due to the presence of feral cats.

Feral cats are not just a problem for native wildlife, but also for the environment as a whole.

Feral cats have had a devastating impact on Australian wildlife. Globally, cats are responsible for the extinction of over one quarter of all reptile, bird, and mammal species since 1600.

In Australia, at least 34 mammal species have become extinct since European settlement, with cats being the primary contributor to over two-thirds of these extinctions. This is a rate of mammal extinctions far greater than anywhere else in the world.

Many native species have been affected by feral cats, including the Macquarie Island parakeet and Macquarie Island buff-banded rail, which were restricted to islands and are now extinct.

Historical mammal extinctions in Australia often corresponded with the spread of cats across the continent. This suggests that cats have been a major threat to native species for a long time.

Native species that are now restricted to cat-free areas, such as islands and fenced exclosures, are unable to persist if cats are present. This highlights the importance of controlling feral cat populations.

Fencing has been used successfully to exclude cats and foxes from small areas on the mainland, into which threatened mammals can be translocated. This is a key factor in the success of reintroduction attempts.

Studies have shown that cats take large numbers of many wildlife species, including highly threatened birds, mammals, and reptiles. This is a major concern for conservation efforts.

Feral cats are implicated in the extinction of 25 native, small and medium-sized mammal species and further threaten the survival of over 100 other native species in Australia. This is a staggering number and highlights the need for action.

It's estimated that there are between 2 million and 6 million feral cats in Australia, making them a pervasive and adaptable threat to native species.

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Cats in Australia are often thought to be apex predators with no natural predators, but the truth is more complex.

Tasmanian devils have been found to have cat DNA in their scats, suggesting they prey on kittens in wild burrows.

Dingoes and feral dogs also prey on feral cats, and in areas where they are common, cat populations are suppressed.

Red foxes may help suppress cat numbers, as cats boom in numbers when foxes are removed from an area.

Some snakes, like the carpet python and eastern brown snake, kill cats, but adult cats generally survive by outrunning and outclimbing their predators.

In remote areas, wedge-tailed eagles and saltwater crocodiles are known to prey on cats, although this is not a common occurrence.

Feral cats directly affect native species through predation, disease transmission, and resource competition.

Feral cats are implicated in the extinction of 25 native, small and medium-sized mammal species in Australia. This number is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of feral cats on our native wildlife.

The annual predation impact by feral cats on Australian native wildlife is staggering, with estimates suggesting 272 million birds, 470 million reptiles, and 815 million mammals are killed each year.

Many native species, such as the greater stick-nest rat and banded hare-wallaby, can only persist in areas that have remained cat-free, such as islands and fenced exclosures.

In Victoria, cats are considered an established pest species on certain Crown land.

The declaration of cats as a pest species came into effect on 26 July 2018.

This declaration only applies to areas of Crown land managed by specific organizations, including the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Parks Victoria, Phillip Island Nature Park, and the four Alpine Resort Management Boards.

You can read more about the feral cat declaration for more information.