Feral Cat
Felis catus
Restricted invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014. Feral cats must not be moved, fed, given away, sold or released into the environment without a permit.
Feral cats are domestic cats living in the wild. They are able to live in a wide variety of climates and habitats and are generally active at night. Feral cats eat a range of native animals and compete for prey with native predators.
Females can breed from seven months of age and can produce up to three litters a year with two to seven offspring per litter, with an average of four per litter. Breeding is highest during spring and summer.
Feral cats can carry Toxoplasmosis causing blindness, respiratory disorders paralysis and loss of young in marsupials and transmit disease to domestic cats.
Successful control programs require a range of approaches including shooting, trapping and fencing.
Council officers can provide information on control options for trapped feral cats.
For further information on the assistance available to landholders, visit the Landholders Assistance page or call 1300 883 699.