Meow-vellous response to Keeping Cats Safe at Home

More than 7,600 cats have been desexed under phase two of the NSW Government and RSPCA NSW Keeping Cats Safe at Home (KCSAH) program, surpassing its 18‑month target seven months early.

The success, driven by strong collaboration with cat owners, veterinarians and councils, is improving animal welfare while reducing roaming cats and their impact on native wildlife

KCSAH increases desexing, microchipping and cat registration, while encouraging people to voluntarily contain their pet cats through community engagement and education initiatives.

The program is exceeding expectations thanks to momentum from phase one of the program, enormous demand and passionate participants.

Domestic cats kill tens of millions of native animals each year, including an estimated 53 million reptiles, 61 million birds and 67 million mammals.

Tragically, two-in-three cat owners have lost a pet to a roaming-related accident, with a third of accidents involving cars.

The $6 million program is funded by the NSW Environmental Trust to support 30 councils to curb devastating impacts cats have on native wildlife, while helping pet cats live longer.

KCSAH monitors free-roaming cat numbers, changes in owner behaviour, and impacts such as complaints, shelter intake and wildlife injuries. The work is supported by ongoing research and partnerships with universities.

For more information about the program, visit RSPCA - Keeping Cats Safe at Home.

NSW Environmental Trust, DCCEEW Grants Director Katie Robinson, said:

“We are proud to be funding this important program, Keeping Cats Safe at Home, which helps the environment, native animals and our pets.”

“Our communities are starting to change as they better understand what’s at stake, thanks to this multi-pronged program with its school programs, pet expos and social media campaigns.”

RSPCA NSW Senior Manager, Keeping Cats Safe at Home, Dr Gemma Ma, said:

“Meeting our desexing targets ahead of schedule shows how successful this program can be and how much we can collectively achieve with a community-based, holistic approach to cat management.”

“The Keeping Cats Safe at Home desexing programs have seen enormous demand, and our team have been busy collaborating with councils, veterinary clinics, community carers and volunteers to provide education and services where they are needed most.”

RSPCA NSW is committed to supporting cat caregivers across the state, with the goal of giving cats better lives whilst also protecting our precious native wildlife.”

The 30 Councils taking part in the second phase of KCSAH are: 

• Blacktown City Council
• Blue Mountains City Council*
• Brewarrina Shire Council
• Broken Hill City Council
• Byron Shire Council*
• Camden Council
• Campbelltown City Council*
• Canterbury Bankstown Council
• Central Darling Shire Council
• Cessnock City Council
• City of Parramatta*
• Cumberland Council
• Fairfield City Council
• Hawkesbury City Council
• Hornsby Shire Council*
• Kyogle Council*
• Lake Macquarie City Council
• Liverpool City Council
• Maitland City Council
• Muswellbrook Shire Council
• Newcastle City Council
• Northern Beaches Council*
• Penrith City Council
• Port Stephens Council
• Shoalhaven City Council*
• Singleton Shire Council
• The Hills Shire Council
• Tweed Shire Council*
• Walgett Shire Council*
• Weddin Shire Council*

* Indicates councils that took part in the pilot program.