Feral cat

Feral cats are small mammals with adult individuals active during the day and night. They prey on mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Description

• Small-bodied carnivorous mammal with variable coat colours.
• Weighs between 2-7kg as an adult.
• Dispersal predominantly from human-induced activities and movement over large home ranges of around 200ha depending on cat density and prey availability.
• Habitats include grasslands, shrublands, subalpine areas, urban areas, forests, pastures, coastal areas, and wetlands.

What you need to know

Preys on small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, threatens vulnerable species. Transmits disease and parasites harmful to humans, livestock and native species such as being a definitive host for Toxoplasmosis gondii which can cause toxoplasmosis.

Management approach

Community Led

These organisms have not been legally declared as pests but may be of interest to the public as they occur regularly in the environment. They may be capable of causing adverse effects to the values of Waitaha/Canterbury.

Desex pet cats and get them microchipped and registered on the Companion Animal Register so they can be returned safely to you.

Put a bell on your cat’s collar to warn birds.

If you are no longer able to look after your pet cat, find someone who is prepared to give it a lifetime home or contact a relevant pet shop or animal rescue organisation to get it rehomed.

Never release a cat into the wild – your pet may be unable to find the food and shelter it needs, and it also puts our native species at risk. It is also an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to abandon any cat.

Control

For assistance with controlling feral cats, contact your local pest control operator or visit the Predator Free NZ Trust website.