Bruny Island cat-control measures to come at a cost as Kingborough Council offers assistance

Financial aid has been offered to cat owners on one Tasmanian island to help them contain their feline friends 24 hours a day when new bylaws are introduced.

Financial aid has been offered to Bruny Island cat owners to help them contain their feline friends 24 hours a day when new bylaws are introduced.

Kingborough Council said some monetary assistance had been set aside for each cat owner to help them plan and build containment options such as enclosures, cat flaps or fence-top systems.

Advice from an animal behaviourist about how to help cats make the transition has also been offered.

Under the bylaws, all cats owned by Bruny residents, or that regularly visit the island, may be affected.

The Kingborough Council estimates there are about 2000 feral cats at large on Bruny Island. Picture: AAP

The measures include compulsory desexing and microchipping of domestic cats, limits on the number of cats per household, 24-hour containment of domestic cats and a ban on feeding feral cats.

The council estimates there are 2000 feral cats on the island.

Draft bylaws for the strict new cat regulations have recently been released for public feedback.

The range of new laws aims to foster responsible cat ownership, manage stray cats and protect pet cats.

They are due to be rolled out on the island from July this year.

Councillor Sue Bastone said they had worked closely with the community for a number of years to develop the new cat management laws.

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She said 90 per cent of residents supported the move.

“The recent Bruny Life survey shows the strong support the community has for feral cat eradication and domestic cat management,” she said.

“The bylaw will aim to minimise the adverse impacts of domestic, stray and feral cats on the environmental, economic and social values of the island.

“It also aims to respect the needs of cat owners and protect the safety of pet cats. Cats make wonderful pets and bring pleasure, health benefits and company to many people, so we have to make sure these are valued within the bylaw.”

Bruny Island Community Association president Megan Weston said feral cats had been a problem on the island for decades.

She said it was pleasing the implementation of the laws was progressing.

Ms Weston said the community group had also tipped in money to help owners experiencing economic hardship to construct cat enclosures.

“It’s a really positive move, it’s about protecting wildlife, including our amazing bird life, and cats,” she said.

“We encourage all residents to submit feedback, even if they don’t have a cat.”

Submissions remain open until March 11.

To view the bylaws, visit kingborough.tas.gov.au

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