Feral Cat Control Victoria

CVPM provides professional feral cat control and management services, delivering humane, targeted and integrated pest management programs designed to protect Australia's native wildlife, biodiversity, agricultural productivity and natural environment.

Feral cats are one of Australia's most destructive invasive pest species, causing significant environmental and economic damage.

They have contributed to the extinction of at least 25 native Australian mammal species and continue to threaten more than 100 threatened and endangered species through predation, competition and the spread of disease. Every year, feral cats kill billions of native mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, making them one of the greatest threats to Australia's biodiversity and ecosystem health.

The economic impacts are equally significant. Cat-borne diseases, including toxoplasmosis, cause substantial production losses across the livestock industry, affecting sheep, goats and other agricultural enterprises. Combined with the ongoing costs of monitoring, control and management, feral cats are estimated to cost the Australian economy billions of dollars annually, making them one of Australia's most expensive invasive vertebrate pest species.

At CVPM, we deliver evidence-based feral cat management programs tailored to each property and landscape. Using strategic, humane and effective control methods, we reduce feral cat populations, protect threatened native wildlife, minimise disease risks to livestock and wildlife, and support long-term biodiversity conservation.

Our integrated pest management approach helps restore healthy ecosystems, protect agricultural productivity, safeguard government assets and public land, and deliver sustainable environmental outcomes while operating in accordance with all relevant Victorian legislation and industry best practice.

We provide professional feral cat control services for government agencies, conservation reserves, national parks, private landholders, agricultural enterprises, commercial properties, public land managers and infrastructure providers throughout Victoria, delivering reliable, compliant and environmentally responsible invasive species management solutions.

Control Methods

Soft Jaw trapping

Cage Trapping

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Goat Control Victoria

What is the most effective Feral Cat control method in Victoria? Targeted ground shooting and cage trapping are among the most effective feral cat control methods in Victoria, particularly in rural, bushland, and agricultural environments. Ground shooting allows for the direct removal of problem animals, while strategically placed cage traps can be effective in areas where feral cats regularly travel, hunt, or access food sources. Professional feral cat management programs often combine ground shooting, cage trapping, and monitoring with trail cameras to identify activity patterns and target high-use areas. This integrated approach helps reduce predation on native wildlife, protect biodiversity, and achieve long-term feral cat population management. Read more

Why is Feral Cat control important for Victorian farms and Crown land? Feral cat control is important because feral cats are highly efficient predators that can have a significant impact on native wildlife, livestock, and biodiversity. On Victorian farms, feral cats prey on poultry, young livestock, and beneficial native species, while also contributing to the spread of diseases. On Crown land, feral cats are a major threat to native birds, reptiles, and small mammals, placing pressure on vulnerable and threatened species. Effective feral cat management helps protect agricultural assets, support native wildlife conservation, and maintain healthier ecosystems across Victoria. Read more

Do you provide Feral Goat control services in Victoria? Yes. Complete Vertebrate Pest Management provides professional feral goat control services throughout Victoria. We specialise in targeted ground shooting programs designed to reduce feral goat populations, protect agricultural land, minimise grazing pressure, and reduce environmental damage. Our services are tailored to farms, rural properties, and land management projects, with a focus on safe, effective, and humane pest animal control. Read more

How much effect can Feral Cats have on the environment? Feral cats have a significant impact on Victoria's environment and are recognised as one of Australia's most damaging invasive predators. They prey on a wide range of native birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians, including many threatened and endangered species. Even at low population densities, feral cats can place substantial pressure on local wildlife populations and disrupt natural ecosystems. In addition to predation, feral cats can spread diseases, compete with native predators for food, and reduce biodiversity across farms, bushland, and Crown land. Effective feral cat management helps protect native wildlife, support conservation efforts, and maintain healthier ecosystems throughout Victoria. Read more

What area's do you provide Feral Cat management? Complete Vertebrate Pest Management provides professional feral cat management services throughout Victoria, including Gippsland, the High Country, North East Victoria, the Mallee, Wimmera, Central Highlands, Loddon Mallee, Hume Region, and surrounding rural and agricultural areas. We work with farmers, landholders, conservation groups, and government agencies to help protect livestock, native wildlife, and sensitive ecosystems through targeted feral cat control programs. Contact us to discuss feral cat management services in your area. Read more

The Impact of Feral Cats on Farmland, Natural Environment, Native Animals, and Effective Control Method

CVPM