Feral cats are a major invasive species and have been linked to the decline and extinction of various native animals in Australia. They have been shown to cause a significant impact on ground-nesting birds and small native mammals. [12] A study in the 2010s estimated that each feral cat kills 740 wild animals per year. [13]

recognising and prioritising the problem of feral cats in Australia, commissioning research into the impacts and management of feral cats and pet cats, resetting the current policy and planning response to feral cats, expanding Australia’s predator-free fenced areas and feral cat-free islands,

Feral cats have been an environmental disaster for Australian wildlife. But just how bad has their impact been and what can be done to stop feral cats driving even more native animals into extinction? There are more than 4.9 million pet cats in Australia.

Feral cats are an introduced predator in Australia. They kill over 1.5 billion native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs, and 1.1 billion invertebrates each year. Predation by cats is a recognised threat to over 200 nationally threatened species, and 37 listed migratory species.

Feral cats have the body shape, acute senses and fine coordination perfectly suited for stalking and capturing prey. Feral cats can take down prey matching their own body size and kill by biting the throat or base of the skull.

Being highly adaptable to different environments, feral cats spread rapidly across Australia from alpine areas through deserts to the coast and to over 100 offshore islands. Cats in Australia are all the same species (Felis catus) but can be grouped into categories based on where and how they live. What category they are assigned to can vary in ...

Feral cats (Felis catus) are a highly successful invasive pest in Australia and are one of the most threatening invasive alien species worldwide and are listed in the World Conservation Union’s list of the 100 worst invasive species.