Cat owners on alert after RSPCA investigates possible baiting at Parkside

Fears of baiting have sparked warnings to cat owners in the inner south after several cats went missing and two were found dead.

RSPCA is urging pet owners to stay vigilant, after a case of suspected cat baiting near Parkside.

Several owners have reported their pets missing, with three found dead in the past four weeks.

The cats lived about 1km of each other, with neighbours suspecting they ate baited food.

Pet owners David and Georgia said their cat was part of the family.

They said the 4-year-old feline was their first pet and was mainly kept inside their home, but would often manage to escape.

“He generally wouldn’t be gone too long, and when he did come back he would sit up there (back garden fence),” David told 7News.

Owners David and Georgia's after family cat went missing. Picture: 7NEWS

List of missing cats with owners residing in Parkside. Picture: 7NEWS

But last week, their beloved cat escaped from home and never returned back.

Now the family is fearing the worst.

“We’re quite concerned and the children are extremely upset about it,” David said.

“It did look like two of the cats have died from some form of poisoning.”

Owners living in the near by area have taken to social media to warn other residents.

Experts have also warned that ingested poisoning become effective quickly, and owners need to act immediately if they suspect their pet has been poisoned.

The RSPCA has launched an investigation into the suspected baiting.