Attitudes of suburban Western Australians to proposed cat control legislation

Grayson, Jacky; Calver, Michael C.; Styles, Irene

doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.2002.tb11030.x

Cited by 61 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Australian cat-owners also show strong agreement with provisions to identify or register cats, although actual compliance may be lower. Grayson et al (2002) reported that 93% of female cat-owners and 82% of male catowners surveyed in Perth, Western Australia agreed that they would licence their cat with the local council if it became compulsory. Similarly, Murray et al (1999) found that 96.3% of residents on Magnetic Island off the Queensland coast were in favour of identifying and registering cats, although this figure includes non-owner responses as well.…”

Section: Attitudes and Practices Of Cat Ownersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Western Australia, Grayson et al (2002) found that 86% of cat owners agreed that cats in nature reserves were detrimental to wildlife, but only 50% of cat owners agreed that cat predation was a significant factor for suburban wildlife. Grayson et al (2002) also sought opinions on the proposition that local councils should have the power to prohibit cat ownership in new subdivisions. Cat-owners registered only 17% agreement.…”

Section: Attitudes and Practices Of Cat Ownersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Regulation of domestic cat ownership to protect urban wildlife: a justification based on the precautionary principle

Grayson

Calver²

2004

Urban Wildlife

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While it is undeniable that both feral cats and owned domestic cats prey on native wildlife, evidence that this is a threat to the viability of wildlife populations is contentious, particularly in the suburbs. Where uncertainty is great or the risks are high, the precautionary principle is a guide as to whether or not action should be taken to regulate domestic cats. This involves an evaluation of the available evidence and the extent of uncertainty, as well as consideration of the viewpoints of major stakeholders. Applying this approach leads to the conclusion that wildlife can be protected while improving cat welfare. Containing cats at night not only separates cats and nocturnal wildlife, but minimises trauma from both cat fights and road accidents while reducing nuisance to neighbours from caterwauling and fighting. Desexed cats no longer contribute toward unwanted stray and feral cat populations that depredate native wildlife populations and are often less of a nuisance to neighbours and themselves as spraying and fighting are reduced. Cats with identification can be returned to their owners should they be found lost or injured, while problem cats can be identified. Therefore, the cat welfare issue is the key to a successful precautionary approach because it achieves wildlife protection while respecting the interests of cat owners.

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Section: Attitudes and Practices Of Cat Ownersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Attitudes and Practices Of Cat Ownersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regulation of domestic cat ownership to protect urban wildlife: a justification based on the precautionary principle

Grayson

Calver²

2004

Urban Wildlife

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“…Exclusion zones where residents are not pennitted to own a cat are one measure that might be considered to create buffer zones around sensitive wildUfe habitat. While they are accepted in some new subdivisions (Buttriss 2001), surveys of community opinion suggest that they attract at best luke~warm support in established suburbs (Grayson et al 2002, Lilith et aL 2006. Therefore successful implementation requires a detailed knowledge of the roaming habits of pet cats so that any buffer zone adopted is both adequate for wildlife protection and also of minimum size to reduce disruption to owners (sec Das 1993, Barratt 1997band Meek 2003 for relevant Austtalian studies andBradshaw 1992 andKays andDe Wan 2004 for relevant international studies).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Roaming habits of pet cats on the suburban fringe in Perth, Western Australia: what size buffer zone is needed to protect wildlife in reserves?

Lilith

Calver

Garkaklis

2008

Too Close for Comfort

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“…Some research has begun (see Table 1), including investigating the use and perception of cat collars (cat owners preferred to use microchips for identification purposes; Harrod et al 2016), to the acceptability of unowned-cat control (respondents who owned cats perceived non-lethal control of unowned cats to be more acceptable than lethal control methods, when compared with non-owners; Farnworth et al 2011). A survey designed to better understand the attitudes of Western Australians towards cat-control legislation (Grayson et al 2002) has been adapted for use in other countries, including New Zealand. Results have indicated that most of New Zealand respondents agreed that pet cats in nature reserves are harmful to wildlife.…”

Section: Social Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research challenges and conservation implications for urban cat management in New Zealand

Kikillus

Chambers

Farnworth

et al. 2017

Pac. Conserv. Biol.

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Abstract. Over the past 20 years, conservation efforts in New Zealand have moved from being concentrated in rural and isolated island locations, where exotic mammalian predators are often controlled, to begin to bring native fauna back to major cities. However, human-wildlife conflicts arise when conservation occurs in close proximity to cities. These are particularly intense when companion animals are involved either as potential predators or prey of high-value conservation animals. Within New Zealand, this conflict is particularly fraught around domestic cats (Felis catus) in the urban environment. Cats in New Zealand are recognised as major introduced predators of native fauna, but they also prey on small introduced predatory mammals. This dynamic causes much conflict between people with different attitudes towards animals; however, as yet, few studies have explored the role(s), either negative or positive, of urban cats in New Zealand. Here, we review current knowledge on domestic cats in urban New Zealand, identify gaps in knowledge and make suggestions for future research, which includes further social science research, citizen science-based research programs, market research, investigation into cat-management legislation, and more in-depth studies of cat diseases and zoonoses. These data are vital for informing the public and improving the management of urban cat populations, including mitigating conservation impacts. Urban ecologists will need to be versatile in the way they design and conduct experiments, exploiting multiple disciplines to both ensure scientific robustness, but also community and government support for uptake of results into management and legislation.

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Attitudes of suburban Western Australians to proposed cat control legislation

Abstract: Cat legislation that avoids or educates about the contentious issue of cat-free zones should receive solid community support.

Cited by 61 publications

References 4 publications

Regulation of domestic cat ownership to protect urban wildlife: a justification based on the precautionary principle

Regulation of domestic cat ownership to protect urban wildlife: a justification based on the precautionary principle

Roaming habits of pet cats on the suburban fringe in Perth, Western Australia: what size buffer zone is needed to protect wildlife in reserves?

Research challenges and conservation implications for urban cat management in New Zealand

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