Feral Cat Advice

1. Maintaining good health and control of pets:

• Pet cats should be kept indoors.
• Require routine vaccinations for rabies and other feline diseases.
• Require that cats wear a collar and tag when outside.
• Require that cats be neutered
• Require that cats be fed indoors or that owners remove excess food immediately after feeding cats outdoors.

2. Food Source Reduction:

• Prohibit the feeding of wild animals on the property.
• Make sure wheelie bins are kept closed at all times or else are put in closed bin sheds.
• Do not keep feeding feral cats that have not been spayed and neutered as the property will soon be overwhelmed by kittens.

3. Habitat Reduction:

• Eliminate potential harbourage sites such as brush piles and junk piles.
• Prevent access to buildings by sealing openings to the structure (e.g. use chicken wire for air vents in underground car parks). For house gardens, consider improving the fencing, e.g. block access through iron side gate and add fencing above surrounding walls. There are also some devices that make it impossible for cats to walk on, yet without harming them
• After initial sealing or repairs, check weekly for one month to prevent reopening of sealed areas. Make immediate repairs to buildings as new damage or access holes are found.

4. Education:

• Encourage compliance by persons not directly involved in animal care and control.
• Provide information about the hazards faced by feral cats and the importance of responsible pet ownership (importance of spaying and neutering pets and keeping them indoors).