Over five million cats have been registered in Australia, and this number continues to rise.
Because of this, pet owners’ expectations have changed. Many of them have started keeping their cats inside or in secure runs, and some local governments have also started requiring it.
But most cats still go out and about.
Increasing the number of cat owners who keep their pets inside their homes can have various benefits, such as improving the welfare of the animals and the local economy.
In late 2023, we conducted a survey to ask the public if it’s necessary for pet owners to keep their animals inside.
After conducting the survey, we discovered that most people support requiring pet owners to keep their cats inside. Only a small percentage of people are against it. It’s time for a national change in how pet owners should handle their cats. On November 1, the Geelong City Council will become the latest local government to require that cats be kept inside whenever possible.
In Australia, over a third of local governments have started requiring cat owners to keep them inside whenever possible. The main reason for these regulations is to improve the welfare of the animals. Since cats are known to jump and climb, keeping them inside or in secure runs is usually required.
Keeping cats inside can also help them live longer lives. They’re less likely to get injured in car accidents or fight with other cats, and they’re less likely to suffer from diseases and infections. It’s also beneficial for wildlife as about four out of five cats who are allowed to roam outside will hunt and kill about two to three animals a week.
As many as 6,000 to 11,000 cats are killed in Australia’s suburbs each year, and over 300 million native animals are killed in the country. Night curfews are only effective for nocturnal species, such as possums. Keeping cats inside can also reduce the number of cat fights in the neighborhood. It prevents the neighbor’s cat from killing the lizards and birds in their backyard.
It is believed that restricting cat freedom would significantly reduce the incidence of cat-borne illnesses. Several diseases that can only be transmitted to humans by felines would cease to exist without felines. These costs Australia around $6 billion annually, mainly due to lost income and medical expenses.
One of the most common diseases that can be passed on to humans by cats is toxoplasmaosis, which can only be transmitted by cats. According to Australian studies, the infection rate for humans is between 22 and 66 percent. Cat-borne illnesses have caused significant community harm, with around 8500 hospitalizations and 550 deaths due to acute infections. These infections also cause mental health issues and increases the risk of car accidents.
Cats play a vital role in the spread of these infections in the community. In areas that do not have containment, there could be up to a hundred felines roaming around every square kilometer. Eliminating strays from our neighborhoods can help lower the disease rate.