RSPCA tells cat owners to safeguard cats amid roadkill spike

A top animal welfare group has shared advice to Burnett residents amid reports of a rise in road killed cats.

RSPCA vets regularly treat and perform surgery for injured stray cats when they are hit by cars or attacked by other animals. Picture: RSPCA

A reported increase in discoveries of road killed cats on South Burnett roads has divided residents.

Kingaroy mum Shania Marie Rose Staples discovered two cats within days who had been hit and killed by vehicles in Kingaroy.

She shared her experience on Facebook, which has since received backlash.

“Honestly it’s heartbreaking, both cats I found appeared to have been hit by vehicles,” Ms Staples said.

“Another lady said she was driving down the road and saw two cars hit the cat and keep going, she stopped and put the poor animal on the grass and off the road.

“People driving need to be more considerate of animals.”

RSPCA communications and media manager Emma Lagoon said RSPCA vets regularly treat and perform surgery for injured stray cats when they are hit by cars or attacked by other animals.

“Keeping cats safe indoors, secure on your property or in a secure outdoor enclosure, is the best option to ensure your furry family member is there when you get home,” Ms Lagoon said.

“We‘ve had 330 cats come into our care via our RSPCA Rescue Units this year across the state, not all are hit by a car, but of course any cat that strays from their property or is an outside cat, is at higher risk of being hit and killed or seriously injured on our roads,” she said.

Council expects the seasonal conditions will aid in the surge of all feral animal populations.

South Burnett Regional Council spokeswoman Joanne Newbery said there have been no reports of feral cat numbers increasing or requests for traps by landowners however, council expects the seasonal conditions will aid in the surge of all feral animal populations.

“Many responses are landowner led and entail community groups working together across vast areas to bait, trap and shoot a variety of feral animals,” Ms Newbery said.

“Council supports these community efforts with managing and supporting the administration burden for each community group and providing funds for groups to purchase specialised equipment such as traps and cameras.”

For more on feral animal control in the region visit the South Burnett Regional Council website.

To report an injured animal contact RSPCA Vets on 1300 ANIMAL.