Need advice on what to do if you have spotted a stray cat or kitten? The short answer is you should probably do nothing. Here is why…..
Did you know there are 15,000 stray cats in greater Hobart?
They came with the first settlers who also brought rabbits, rats, mice and farm animals.
In the early 1800’s the Tasmanian government of the day released cats to control rabbits. They have been here ever since and will be here long after we are gone. NRE acknowledge this in their background paper to the Cat Management Act in Tasmania. Eradication is not the plan in Tasmania so most of the time if you see a cat there is nothing to do.
The good news is that unlike arid Australia, the native Tasmania ecosystem has managed to survive. We have had no extinctions attributable to the cat. The Tasmanian emu, thylacine, lake Peddar earthworm and smooth handfish were all eradicated by man. NRE acknowledge that cats are here to stay and our fauna is coping. Check out the evidence here
There is no government body to manage cats. Councils don’t do it. NRE is only involved in asset management and so in Hobart, it is volunteer organisations like ours who get called about cat and kitten sightings. Unfortunately, what is done is usually driven by emotions and beliefs, not by science and evidence.
We are attempting to combat that. We believe that rescue should be about helping sick or injured animals. Instead, what happens is akin to farming the stray cat population, selling kittens to supply the market which in Hobart adopts about 3000 kittens each year. Crazy hey! Surely there are more ethical ways that are better for our state.
Cat density in Hobart averages 50 cats per square km but you will only see them if people are feeding them. These cats have learned that people are safe. So we are not really managing cats we are just managing cats that people feed. These are the ones that become a nuisance. They fight and spray and caterwaul close to where humans live and they commonly get killed for doing it. Cats that aren’t fed by humans have a much safer and happier life and prevent rodent plagues by stealth.
Cats that aren’t being fed by humans do not show themselves to humans. They are there, you just don’t see them. If you see a cat it is either sick, injured or being fed by humans. Sick or injured cats and kittens need help. Call Ten Lives Cat Centre on 62782111
Healthy cats don’t need help but you can intervene to stop problems arising if stray cats are being fed in your area. Our Eco Cat Desex project helps people desex pet cats and that reduces cat density. Read more here
We rescue tiny kittens that can’t feed themselves. They only need rescuing if they are dirty or crying for help. Clean kittens are being cared for by their mother and do not need help. For dirty, crying or sick or injured tiny kittens call or text 0490177542 and leave a detailed message. This line is manned by volunteers and we only call back in situations involving neonatal kittens in need.
If you want to help, never, ever, ever feed a cat that you do not own. If you know someone with an undesexed pet cats, help them to get it desexed. Find out more here
If you need help with native animal rescue call Bonorong on 0447264625
if it is an animal cruelty issue call RSPCA on 1300139947
Thanks for caring and doing what is best for our ecosystem.