A PROGRAM tracking the movement of domestic cats across Orange has led to calls for owners to restrict their movement to reduce their potentially destructive impact on native wildlife.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Central Tablelands Local Land Services and Orange City Council coordinated the Domestic Cat Tracking Project, which saw GPS motion-sensing devices attached to 16 domestic cats in and around Orange to track their every movement for up to 11 days.
The project was funded through the National Landcare Program and was designed to educate cat owners about the surprisingly large distances their pets can roam when unconstrained.
According to Senior Land Services Officer Tim Nalder the results – which included one animal wandering as far as three kilometres from its home – were startling.
“The tracking data showed many cats were far more active than their owners thought was possible,” Mr Nalder said.
"If you look at some of the tracks recorded by the GPS, it's amazing how many streets some cats crossed every day and how many different backyards they visited.
Most of the cats regularly roamed up to one or two blocks from their homes and many wandered half a kilometre away on a daily basis.
- Senior Land Services Officer Tim Nalder
"Most of the cats regularly roamed up to one or two blocks from their homes and many wandered half a kilometre away on a daily basis.”
Mr Nalder said the data shocked the animals’ owners, many of whom indicated they would consequently restrict their pets’ movements.
“Most of the cat owners who participated indicated they would now restrict the time their cats were allowed outside, with plans to keep their cat indoors at night and to cat proof their yards so their pets couldn’t escape,” he said.
Council’s Companion Animals Committee Chair Councillor Neil Jones said such modifications were sensible and would have a broad range of benefits.
“We’re hoping this research will encourage more cat owners to look at the options available to keep their pets from roaming to reduce their impact on native wildlife,” Cr Jones said.
“It’s also important to protect pet cats from traffic accidents and fights with other cats and also exposure to feline AIDS and other infections.”
The project is supported by funding from the Australian Government.