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AWLQ Raises Concerns Over Government’s Feral Cat Threat
Abatement Plan Targeting Domestic Cats

Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) has expressed serious concern regarding the Government’s recently announced Feral Cat Threat Abatement Plan, which would now include domestic and semi-domestic cats.

Under the latest draft of the plan, only two categories of cats will be recognised – feral or pet. This change means that any domestic cats allowed outside, un-microchipped cats, stray cats, or semiowned cats that live alongside humans and have some level of reliance on people, will be reclassified as feral. Consequently, these cats may be treated as feral under the new legislation.

AWLQ acknowledges the significant impact that feral and unmanaged domestic cats have on Australia’s native wildlife and ecosystems. While the organisation welcomes the government’s investment in research and technology to find the most humane ways to manage Australia’s feral cat populations, AWLQ urges the Government to reconsider the inclusion of the variances of domestic cats in its Feral Cat Threat Abatement Plan.

“We fully support efforts to protect Queensland’s ecosystems and reduce the devastating effects that feral cats have on native species,” said Ms Katie Garrett, AWLQ CEO. “However, domestic and semi-domestic cats must also be treated with compassion and respect. The proposed measures, while aiming to safeguard wildlife, do not differentiate between genuinely feral cats and those that live in urban areas with all or some reliance on human care.”

AWLQ is concerned that the current plan does not sufficiently distinguish between feral cats and lost, stray, or community-cared-for cats. This could result in the unnecessary destruction of domestic cats that might be owned, semi-owned, or simply un-microchipped.

”The language used in discussions of the plan risks demonising all cats, which could lead to harmful outcomes,” said Ms Garrett. “A lost or un-microchipped cat is vastly different from a truly feral cat that lives entirely in the wild. The Government needs to ensure that much-loved pets who are being cared for and loved by members of our community are not at risk under this legislation.”

AWLQ has proposed an alternative approach, which includes a proactive domestic cat management strategy, such as expanding the Community CAT Project in Ipswich. This project, a collaboration between AWLQ, RSPCA Queensland and the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation, offers support to people who take responsibility for semi-owned cats. According to AWLQ, such programs encourage responsible management and foster trust in the process, leading to better outcomes for both cats and wildlife.

AWLQ calls on the Government to ensure humane and ethical practices when implementing the Feral Cat Threat Abatement Plan. Specifically, AWLQ recommends:

• A clear distinction between feral, domestic and semi-domestic cats in the application of
  control measures.
• The use of humane population management techniques, such as trap-neuter-return (TNR)
  programs for community cats.
• Close collaboration with animal welfare organisations to prevent unnecessary suffering.

“Australia prides itself on its compassion toward animals,” said Ms Garrett. “Any policy affecting pets or community-cared-for animals should reflect those values. We urge the Government to consult with experts and exclude domestic cats from this plan. Instead, we should focus on specific
management techniques for owned, semi-owned and stray domestic cats.”

AWLQ remains committed to working alongside local councils and the Government to find ethical and effective solutions that protect wildlife while ensuring the welfare of domestic and community cats.

–ENDS–

For all media enquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Caroline Esera
Marketing & Communications Manager
0431 658 934
[email protected]

About Animal Welfare League Queensland
Founded in 1959, AWLQ has become a trusted leader in animal welfare. We provide a safe haven and second chance for more than 10,000 stray and homeless animals annually. To each of these animals we welcome through our doors, we promise never to euthanise a healthy, sociable, or
treatable animal in our care. In addition to our shelter work, we are committed to keeping pets and people together by providing lifesaving support and resources to people in need with companion animals. We are known for our grassroots and innovative community-based animal welfare work, including our community vet clinic