Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747:reg:4:p74
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 74/80)
Character Range: 277924–281209

infrastructure. The perspectives and particular practical issues associated with cat management in First Nations communities are very important. A broad and ongoing engagement program should accompany cat management.

The ideal goal for pet cat management is that all cats are safely contained at home, desexed (unless they are registered breeders), registered and identified. The ideal goal for feral cat management around human habitation and infrastructure is that all are removed from areas in or near sites of high conservation value, and their density is markedly reduced elsewhere. This could be partly achieved with improved waste management, and sustained, intensive trapping programs at strategic locations. Pounds, animal shelters and rescue and homing/re-homing groups play a role in receiving, treating and finding homes for cats that are suitable for homing/re-homing, and educating their new owners to be responsible pet cat owners. However, many 'stray' cats will not be of a suitable temperament, or in sufficient health, to be socialised or adopted. In addition, the number of feral cats far exceeds the capacity of rescue organisations and shelters to house them and facilitate their adoption; and far exceeds the number of people willing to adopt a cat. Trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs, that capture feral cats, desex them, then release them back to their origin, do not stop individual cats from hunting wildlife or spreading disease, nor do they improve the welfare of released cats, and may not lead to overall reduction in the cat population or impacts. In general, TNR is therefore not recommended. For further information and referenced sources, refer to section 6.9 of the background document.

      Figure 7 Objective 9: Reduce cat impacts in around human habitation and infrastructure

  * Diagram showing the relationships between the core actions of Objective 9 (Ob9) and actions from the cross-cutting objectives (Ob1-2) that lead to achieving the outcome under Objective 9 (Ob9). Note: actions from cross-cutting objectives comprise those that directly underpin the actions and outcomes of Objective 9, and those that provide overarching support.

     Performance Criteria

      Table 18 Objective 9. Performance Criteria

Objective 9. Performance criteria                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Evaluate progress
SUPPORT MANAGMEENT – Managers are supported to deliver improved management of pet cats and feral cats living around human habitation and infrastructure.
National taskforce to improve biodiversity outcomes from best practice management of pet cats and feral cats living around human habitation and infrastructure meets regularly and functions constructively, demonstrating clear progress on key actions.           2029 and 2034
REDUCE CAT IMPACTS – Areas of human habitation and infrastructure do not support high densities of feral cats, leading to reduced impacts on native species, improved welfare outcomes for pet cats, and lower risk of cat-borne pathogen transmission.
Overall population size of feral cats living around human habitation