Feral Cat Control Victoria

Feral cats have significant environmental impacts, including causing 25 native species extinctions and threatening over 100 more, through predation, disease, and competition.

Cat-dependent diseases cause significant losses for the livestock industry and are the most expensive invasive species in Australia, with costs primarily related to control efforts.

Control Methods

Ground shooting with PCP / Rimfire / centerfire rifles Thermal / Nightvision

Soft Jaw trapping

Cage Trapping

Economic & Enviromental impacts

Economic impacts

The cost of control measures, including fencing, trapping, baiting, and shooting, has totaled over A$18.7 billion since 1960.
The government continues to invest heavily, with a new federal plan earmarking A$60 million for feral cat management over five years.
A parasite spread via cat feces causes abortions and birth defects in livestock, particularly sheep and goats. The sheep industry suffers up to A$12 million annually in losses from toxoplasmosis.
Diseases such as toxoplasmosis and cat scratch infections have been linked to over 550 deaths and 8,500 hospitalizations annually. The annual cost to the Australian economy is estimated at A$6 billion.

Enviromental impacts

Feral cats are exceptionally adaptable and efficient carnivores that prey on a wide range of native species, leading to population decline and extinctions.
Cats have been the primary driver in the extinction of at least 25 native Australian mammal species, along with contributions to the extinction of several bird and reptile species. Examples include the lesser bilby, the broad-faced potoroo, and several hopping-mouse species.
They place extinction pressure on more than 200 nationally threatened species, including bilbies, numbats, quokkas, and various ground-nesting birds.
Feral cats collectively kill over a billion native animals each year, including mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Feral and pet cats are the primary host for the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This can lead to sickness, behavioral changes, and death in native birds and mammals.
Reintroduction efforts for threatened species often fail in areas where cats are present. The successful recovery of western quoll populations in South Australia followed the removal of feral cats from the area.