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Action is being taken to reduce the numbers of feral and stray cats across the Warrumbungle Shire and Council is asking for help from the community. “There has been a significant rise in complaints of feral and stray cats,” said Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Ambrose Doolan. “Cats are valued members of many families, however cats that are unregistered, unowned or wild can cause nuisance.” Feral and stray cats can carry infectious diseases, which can be transmitted to native animals, domestic livestock and humans. Furthermore, they threaten the survival of over 100 native species in Australia, as well as causing the extinction of some native species. “Council is calling for the community’s assistance with reducing the number of feral and stray cats across our Shire,” said Cr Doolan. “Unfortunately, both feral and stray cats are the same species as domestic cats, usually the direct result of domestic cats not being desexed and being left free to roam unsupervised or abandoned.” If you are the owner of a cat it is important that the cat is desexed and can be easily identified. Unidentified cats will be housed at Council’s impounding facility and held for seven days. If the cat is not claimed, it may be rehomed. Cats determined by an authorised officer to be feral will be humanely euthanised. If cats are unwanted, residents can surrender cats and kittens to Council free of charge. Alternatively, if you think you have feral cats roaming you can trap them humanely and Council’s Compliance Officers are able to collect and impound them. From time to time Council also has cat traps available for loan, although availability is limited. “Reducing the numbers of feral cats will help not only your own pets but also help to protect our native wildlife throughout the Shire,” concluded Cr Doolan. For any enquiries regarding stray or feral cats, contact Council’s Compliance Officers on (02) 6849 2000 or email info@warrumbungle.nsw.gov.au.
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Last Updated: 24 Feb 2021