Why NSW dogs face curfews while cats are free to roam and kill

Councils and environmental groups say the NSW government’s failure to implement cat curfews and take stronger measures on domestic pets has allowed cats to kill millions of native Australian animals.

In some jurisdictions, local councils have the power to implement pet management restrictions, such as cat curfews.

Ondine Evans has constructed an outdoor cat pen for her two cats, Butternut and Biscotti, so they are not a threat to local wildlife.Credit: Nick Moir

In Victoria, councils can order cat owners to keep pets inside during specific hours. Last year, the Australian Capital Territory began a district-wide curfew for cats bought after July 1.

Western Australia and NSW remain the only two states that have no restrictions.

Domestic cats kill about 252 million mammals each year.

Cat owners in NSW have two choices: to take matters into their own hands and build cat enclosures or keep their pets on leashes or let their domestic cats roam free at the expense of native wildlife.

Blue Mountains resident Ondine Evans has built a cat containment area that keeps her pets and the native wildlife safe. She grew up with cats and saw the number of animals they’d bring home, including eastern spinebill birds.

When the COVID lockdowns hit, Evans decided to transform part of her backyard that was previously reserved for plants into a caged area where her cats, called Biscotti and Butternut, could roam free.

“It’s been a success: the cockatoos, magpies, rosellas, parrot lizards and possums are very, very interested in the cats but [the cats] can’t get them. It’s the best of both worlds. The cats love to look at birds but never got a whisker of them,” Evans said.

She’s not alone. Many other cat owners have bought or built similar cages, while others have resorted to keeping their pets on a leash outside. In NSW, 14 councils have supported the introduction of stricter regulation since 2018, including Hornsby Shire Council, Blue Mountains Council and Wollongong City council.

Domestic and feral cats kill many animals each year.Credit: Nick Moir

Councils maintain tougher regulations for dog ownership, including that the owner must take preventative action from allowing dogs to roam free with fines for those that fail to do so.

Councillor of Hornsby Shire Council Nathan Tilbury said despite their best efforts, including two motions unanimously passed by the council to address the matter, the government had not done anything.

“So many people say they’ve lost cats to cars running over them, or cats disappearing. [Stricter regulation] would be better for the cat, the environment and neighbours. Clearly, the community is ready,” he said.

Invasive Species Council conservation officer Candice Bartlett said NSW was a laggard when it came to policies for responsible cat ownership.

About 100 of Australia’s unique flora and fauna species have been wiped off the planet since colonisation.

She urged the state government to allow councils to implement stricter cat ownership laws. “Ultimately cat containment and curfews will lead to better outcomes for Australia’s wildlife and ensure people’s pet cats live longer and safer lives,” Bartlett said.

Wildlife Veterinarian and WIRES member Tania Bishop said only a small handful of animals injured by cats are brought to vets. She said she’s seen horrific injuries caused by cats, including gliders with fatal spinal injuries.

“The cat is far safer being inside and so is wildlife,” she said.

She added that NSW wildlife populations in NSW had been severely impacted by floods and fires, making it more urgent that something needs to be done to protect what remains.

For its part, the NSW government is working with the RSPCA NSW to encourage cat owners to keep their pets safe at home through an education program with 11 councils.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean, who lives in the Hornsby Shire Council area, said earlier this month that he would not rule out changing regulations to allow tougher cat controls.

“We live in the bushland shire, and people who live there care deeply about biodiversity and natural wildlife,” he told ABC Sydney. “I’ll certainly be making sure that we’re working to ensure the laws enable councils to be able to do things like what Hornsby Council has done.”

Animal Justice Party Upper House MP Emma Hurst said cats were often used as a “convenient scapegoat” by politicians.Credit: Kate Geraghty

Some cat owners fear tighter regulation could lead to feline suffering and do little to protect native animals. For example, Animal Justice Party Upper House MP Emma Hurst said last month that cats were often used as a “convenient scapegoat” by politicians.

About 100 of Australia’s unique flora and fauna species have been wiped off the planet since colonisation, including 34 mammals. Foxes and cats were responsible for 25 of the native mammal extinctions. The rate of loss, which is as comprehensive as anywhere else on Earth, has not slowed over the past 200 years.

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