Rescue organisations call on State to speed up cat laws review as new research shows local government on board

Local animal rescuers have called on the State Government to speed up its controversial cat laws review, with new research showing WA councils are already on board for change. A newly released study by experts from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Western Australia showed that preventing pet cats from roaming remains a major challenge across Western Australia, despite 78 per cent of local governments saying they are eager for reform. This comes after the WA Government promised to review the Cat Act 2011. Volunteer-based animal rescue and rehoming service SAFE’s founder Sue Hedley said while the scale of impacts on the outdated law vary by location, roaming cats contribute to the decline of native wildlife in the South West. “In biodiversity rich areas like the South West, even small reductions in predation pressure can make a difference,” she said. “This is why responsible containment, combined with desexing and microchipping, forms an important part of the broader solution. “We recognise that cat containment, when implemented alongside education and support for owners, can play an important role in protecting cats and reducing their impact on the environment.” Ms Hedley said any changes to legislation should be practical, humane and supported by clear guidance for pet owners. “Good cat welfare and wildlife protection can go hand in hand,” she said. “Cats that are safely contained, whether indoors, in cat enclosures, or with supervised outdoor access, are less likely to be injured, become lost, or be exposed to disease. “At the same time, reducing roaming helps limit predation on native species.” Invasive Species Council chief executive Jack Gough said the cat laws review was a welcomed commitment at the time the State Government first promised it in 2024, but added that councils were stuck waiting while wildlife and pet cats pay the price. ‘Roaming pet cats are sending our suburbs silent,” he said. “Every year across Australia they kill more than 300 million native animals — wiping out birds, reptiles, frogs and small mammals. “WA is lagging the nation when it comes to responsible pet ownership laws, and local councils are crying out for the State Government to step up and empower them to protect wildlife.” Mr Gough said if legal barriers were lifted to back local council implementation of permanent containment for pet cats, WA could go from “national laggard to national leader”. “Cats are incredible hunters and killers. We can’t change the nature of cats, but we can change the culture that allows pet cats to roam and kill our native animals,” he said. “This is a basic reform which will both protect our native wildlife and give our pets a safer, longer life. “For the sake of our numbats, terns, frogs and skinks, WA can’t afford to fail on cat containment any longer.”