Keeping cats indoors
American Bird Conservancy. American Bird Conservancy Resolution on Free-roaming Cats. Available from abcbirds.org/program/cats-indoors/learn-more/
McLeod, L.J., Hine, D.W. and Bengsen, A.J. (2015) Born to roam? Surveying cat owners in Tasmania, Australia, to identify the drivers and barriers to cat containment PREVET doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.11.007
McRuer, D.L., Gray, L.C., Horne, L. and Clark, E.E. Jr (2016) Free-roaming cat interactions with wildlife admitted to a wildlife hospital. J. Wildl. Manage. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21181
Newby, J. (1999) The Animal Attraction. Humans and their animal companions. ABC Books, Sydney
Domestic Cat Management (bells, confinement etc)
Calver, M., Thomas, S., Bradley, S., McCutcheon, H. (2007) Reducing the rate of predation on wildlife by pet cats: The efficacy and practicability of collar-mounted pounce protectors. Biol. Cons. 137: 341–348
Gordon, J.K., Matthaei, C. and van Heezik, Y. (2010) Belled collars reduce catch of domestic cats in New Zealand by half. Wildl. Res. 37: 372–378
Kikillus, H., Roetman, P. and Kays, R., 2018 How far does your cat roam? Australian Science 39: 32-33
Nelson, S.H., Evans, A.D. and Bradbury, R.B. (2005) The efficacy of collar-mounted devices in reducing the rate of predation of wildlife by domestic cats. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 94: 273–285
Willson, S.K., Okunlola, I.A. and Novak, J.A (2015) Birds be safe: Can a novel cat collar reduce avian mortality by domestic cats (Felis catus)? Global Ecol. & Cons. 3: 359–66
Gordon, J.K., Matthaei, C. and van Heezik, Y. (2010) Belled collars reduce catch of domestic cats in New Zealand by half. Wildl. Res. 37: 372–378
Kikillus, H., Roetman, P. and Kays, R., 2018 How far does your cat roam? Australian Science 39: 32-33
Nelson, S.H., Evans, A.D. and Bradbury, R.B. (2005) The efficacy of collar-mounted devices in reducing the rate of predation of wildlife by domestic cats. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 94: 273–285
Willson, S.K., Okunlola, I.A. and Novak, J.A (2015) Birds be safe: Can a novel cat collar reduce avian mortality by domestic cats (Felis catus)? Global Ecol. & Cons. 3: 359–66
Toxoplasmosis research
Flegr, J. (2016) Watch out for Toxo! The Secret Guide to Practical Science. Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
Gajewski, P.D., Falkenstein, M., Hengstler, J.G. and Golka, K. (2014) Toxoplasma gondii impairs memory in infected seniors. Brain Behav. & Immun. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2013.11.019
Torrey, E.F., Bartko, J.J. and Yolken, R.H. (2012) Toxoplasma gondii and other risk factors for Schizophrenia: An update. Schizophrenia Bulletin 38: 642–647
Gajewski, P.D., Falkenstein, M., Hengstler, J.G. and Golka, K. (2014) Toxoplasma gondii impairs memory in infected seniors. Brain Behav. & Immun. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2013.11.019
Torrey, E.F., Bartko, J.J. and Yolken, R.H. (2012) Toxoplasma gondii and other risk factors for Schizophrenia: An update. Schizophrenia Bulletin 38: 642–647
Disease transmission
Courchamp, F., Say, L. and Pontier, D. (2000) Transmission of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in a population of cats (Felis catus). Wildl. Res. 27: 603–611
Cunningham, M.W., Brown, M.A., Shindle, D.B., Terrell, S.P., Hayes, K.A., Ferree, B.C., McBride, R.T., Blankenship, E.L., Jansen, D., Citino, S.B., Roelke, M.E., Kiltie, R.A., Troyer, J.L. and O'Brien, S.J. (2008) Epizootiology and management of feline leukemia virus in the Florida puma. J. Wildl Dis. 44: 537–552
Fancourt, B.A. Nicol, S.C., Hawkins, C.E., Jones, M.E. and Johnson, C.N. (2014) Beyond the disease: Is Toxoplasma gondii infection causing population declines in the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus)? International Journal for Parasitology 3: 102–112
Legge, S., Taggart, P., Dickman, C., Read, J. and Woinarski, J. (2020) ‘Impacts from cat-dependent diseases that affect people and livestock costs Australia $6 billion per year’ Wildlife Research 47(8): 731-746
Meli, M. L., Cattori, V., Fernando, M. et al. (2010) Feline leukemia virus infection: A threat for the survival of the critically endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) Vet. Imm. & Immunopathology 134: 61–67
Miller, M.A., Gardner, L.A., Kreuder, C., Paradies, D.M., Worcester, K.R., Jessup, D.A., Dodd, E., Harris, M.D., Ames, J.A., Packham, A.E. and Conrad, P.A. (2002) Coastal freshwater runoff is a risk factor for Toxoplasma gondii infection of southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) Int. J. Parasitol. 32: 997–1006
Cunningham, M.W., Brown, M.A., Shindle, D.B., Terrell, S.P., Hayes, K.A., Ferree, B.C., McBride, R.T., Blankenship, E.L., Jansen, D., Citino, S.B., Roelke, M.E., Kiltie, R.A., Troyer, J.L. and O'Brien, S.J. (2008) Epizootiology and management of feline leukemia virus in the Florida puma. J. Wildl Dis. 44: 537–552
Fancourt, B.A. Nicol, S.C., Hawkins, C.E., Jones, M.E. and Johnson, C.N. (2014) Beyond the disease: Is Toxoplasma gondii infection causing population declines in the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus)? International Journal for Parasitology 3: 102–112
Legge, S., Taggart, P., Dickman, C., Read, J. and Woinarski, J. (2020) ‘Impacts from cat-dependent diseases that affect people and livestock costs Australia $6 billion per year’ Wildlife Research 47(8): 731-746
Meli, M. L., Cattori, V., Fernando, M. et al. (2010) Feline leukemia virus infection: A threat for the survival of the critically endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) Vet. Imm. & Immunopathology 134: 61–67
Miller, M.A., Gardner, L.A., Kreuder, C., Paradies, D.M., Worcester, K.R., Jessup, D.A., Dodd, E., Harris, M.D., Ames, J.A., Packham, A.E. and Conrad, P.A. (2002) Coastal freshwater runoff is a risk factor for Toxoplasma gondii infection of southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) Int. J. Parasitol. 32: 997–1006
Management examples (including TNR)
Campbell, K.J., Harper, G., Hanson, C.C., Algar, D., Keitt, B.S. and Robinson, S. (2011) Review of feral cat eradications onislands. In: Veitch, C.R., Clout, M.N., Towns, D.R. (eds) Island invasives: eradication and management. International Union for Conservation of Nature, Gland pp. 37–46
www.popsbarnes.com, January 2017
Jessup, D.A. (2004) The welfare of feral cats and wildlife. Animal Welfare Forum: Management of Abandoned and Feral cats J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 225: 1378–1381
Johnson, K.L. and Cicirelli, J. (2014) Study of the effect on shelter cat intakes and euthanasia from a shelter neuter return project of 10,080 cats from March 2010 to June 2014. Peer J. 2014: 2: e646
Jones, A.L. and Downs, C.T. (2011) Managing feral cats on a University’s campuses: How many are there and is sterilization having an effect? J. Appl. Anim. Welf. Sci. 14: 304–320
Lepczyk , C.A., Dauphin’e, N., Bird, D.M., Conant, S., Cooper, R.J., Duffy, D.C., Hatley, P., Marra, P.P., Stone, E. and Temple, S.A. (2010) What Conservation Biologists Can Do to Counter Trap-Neuter-Return: Response to Longcore et al. Cons Biol. 24: 627–629
Levy, J.K., Gale, D.W. and Gale, L.A. (2003) Evaluation of the effect of a long-term trap-neuter-return and adoption program on a free-roaming cat population. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 222: 42–46
Peterson, M.N., Hartis, B., Rodriguez, S., Green, M. and Lepczyk, C.A. (2012) Opinions from the Front Lines of Cat Colony Management Conflict. PLoS ONE 7: 1–7
Lohr, C.A. and Lepczyk, C.A. (2014) Desires and Management Preferences of Stakeholders Regarding Feral Cats in the Hawaiian Islands. Cons. Biol. 28: 392–403
Moseby, K.E., Read, J.L., Paton, D.C., Copley, P., Hill, B.M. and Crisp, H.A. (2011) Predation determines the outcome of 10 reintroduction attempts in arid South Australia. Biol. Cons. 144: 2863–2872
Natoli, E., et al. (2006) Management of Feral Domestic Cats in the Urban Environment of Rome (Italy). Prev. Vet. Med. 77: 180–185
Read J.L., Dickman C.R., Boardman W.S.J., Lepczyk C.A. (2020) Reply to Wolf et al.: Why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Is Not an Ethical Solution for Stray Cat Management. Animals: 10(9):1525.
Robertson, S.A. (2009) A review of feral cat control. J. Feline Med. & Surg. 10: 366–375
Spotte, S. (2014) Free-ranging cats: behaviour, ecology, management. Wiley Blackwell, West Sussex, UK
Walker, J.K., Bruce, S.J. and Dale, A.R. (2017) Survey of Public Opinion on Cat (Felis catus) Predation and the Future Direction of Cat Management in New Zealand. Animals 7: 49
Cat ecology studies
Kilshaw, K., Johnson, P.J., Kitchener, A.C and Macdonald, D.W. (2014) Detecting the elusive Scottish wildcat Felis silvestris silvestris using camera trapping. Oryx 49 doi:10.1017/S0030605313001154
Moseby, K.E., Neilly, H., Read, J.L. and Crisp, H.A. (2011) Interactions between a Top Order Predator and Exotic Mesopredators in the Australian Rangelands. Int. J. Ecol. 2012: 1–15
Read, J. and Bowen, Z. (2001). Population dynamics, diet and aspects of the biology of feral cats and foxes in arid South Australia. Wildlife Research 28: 195-203.
Read, J.L., Moseby , K.E. and McGregor, H.W. (2024) Better to bluff than run: conservation implications of feral-cat prey selectivity Wildlife Research 51 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR23138
Moseby, K.E., Neilly, H., Read, J.L. and Crisp, H.A. (2011) Interactions between a Top Order Predator and Exotic Mesopredators in the Australian Rangelands. Int. J. Ecol. 2012: 1–15
Read, J. and Bowen, Z. (2001). Population dynamics, diet and aspects of the biology of feral cats and foxes in arid South Australia. Wildlife Research 28: 195-203.
Read, J.L., Moseby , K.E. and McGregor, H.W. (2024) Better to bluff than run: conservation implications of feral-cat prey selectivity Wildlife Research 51 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR23138
Feral cat predation impacts
Blancher, P. (2013) Estimated number of birds killed by house cats (Felis catus) in Canada. Avian Cons, & Ecol. 8: 3 http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ACE-00557-080203
Commonwealth of Australia (2015) Threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats. Dept for Environment, Canberra
Loss, S.R., Will, T. and Marra, P.P. (2013) The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States. Nat. Comms 4: 1396
Legge, S., Murphy, B., McGregor, H., Woinarski, J., Augusteyn, J., Ballard, G., Baseler, M., Buckmaster, T., Dickman, C., Doherty, T., Edwards, G., Eyre, T., Fancourt, B.A., Ferguson, D., Maxwell, M., McDonald, P.J., Morris, K., Moseby, K., Newsome, T., Nimmo, D., Paltridge, R., Ramsey, D., Read, J., Rendall, A., Rich, M., Ritchie, E., Rowland, J., Short, J., Stokeld, D., Sutherland, D.R., Wayne, A.F., Woodford, L., and Zewe, F. (2017) Enumerating a continental-scale threat: How many feral cats are in Australia? Biol. Cons. 206: 293–303
Marra, P.P. and Santella, C. (2016) Cat Wars: The devastating consequences of a cuddly killer. Princeton University Press
Moseby, K.E., Peacock D.E. and Read, J.L. (2015) Catastrophic cat predation: A call for predator profiling in wildlife protection programs. Biol. Cons. 191: 331–340
Murphy, B.P. L.A. Woolley, H.M. Geyle, S.M. Legge, R. Palmer, C.R. Dickman, J. Augusteyn, S.C. Brown, S. Comer, T.S. Doherty, C. Eager, G. Edwards, D.A. Fordham, D. Harley, P.J. McDonald, H. McGregor, K. Moseby, C. Myers, J. Read, J. Riley, D. Stokeld, G.J. Trewella, J. M. Turpin and J.C.Z. Woinarski (2019). Introduced cats (Felis catus) eating a continental mammal fauna: the number of individuals killed. Biological Conservation 237: 28-40
Nogales, M., Vidal, E., Medina, F.M., Bonnaud, E., Tershy, B.R., Campbell, K.J. and Zavaleta, E.S. (2013) Feral Cats and Biodiversity Conservation: The Urgent Prioritization of Island Management. Bioscience 63: 804–810
Read, J.L., Dagg, E. & Moseby, K.E. (2019). Prey selectivity by feral cats at central Australian rock-wallaby colonies. Aust. Mammal. 41, 132–141
Woinarski, J.C.Z., Armstrong, M., Brennan, A. K., Fisher, A., Griffiths, A. D., Hill, B.M., Milne, D. J., Palmer, C., Ward, S., Watson, M., Winderlich, S. and Young, S. (2010) Monitoring indicates rapid and severe decline of native small mammals in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia. Wildl. Res. 37: 116–126
Commonwealth of Australia (2015) Threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats. Dept for Environment, Canberra
Loss, S.R., Will, T. and Marra, P.P. (2013) The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States. Nat. Comms 4: 1396
Legge, S., Murphy, B., McGregor, H., Woinarski, J., Augusteyn, J., Ballard, G., Baseler, M., Buckmaster, T., Dickman, C., Doherty, T., Edwards, G., Eyre, T., Fancourt, B.A., Ferguson, D., Maxwell, M., McDonald, P.J., Morris, K., Moseby, K., Newsome, T., Nimmo, D., Paltridge, R., Ramsey, D., Read, J., Rendall, A., Rich, M., Ritchie, E., Rowland, J., Short, J., Stokeld, D., Sutherland, D.R., Wayne, A.F., Woodford, L., and Zewe, F. (2017) Enumerating a continental-scale threat: How many feral cats are in Australia? Biol. Cons. 206: 293–303
Marra, P.P. and Santella, C. (2016) Cat Wars: The devastating consequences of a cuddly killer. Princeton University Press
Moseby, K.E., Peacock D.E. and Read, J.L. (2015) Catastrophic cat predation: A call for predator profiling in wildlife protection programs. Biol. Cons. 191: 331–340
Murphy, B.P. L.A. Woolley, H.M. Geyle, S.M. Legge, R. Palmer, C.R. Dickman, J. Augusteyn, S.C. Brown, S. Comer, T.S. Doherty, C. Eager, G. Edwards, D.A. Fordham, D. Harley, P.J. McDonald, H. McGregor, K. Moseby, C. Myers, J. Read, J. Riley, D. Stokeld, G.J. Trewella, J. M. Turpin and J.C.Z. Woinarski (2019). Introduced cats (Felis catus) eating a continental mammal fauna: the number of individuals killed. Biological Conservation 237: 28-40
Nogales, M., Vidal, E., Medina, F.M., Bonnaud, E., Tershy, B.R., Campbell, K.J. and Zavaleta, E.S. (2013) Feral Cats and Biodiversity Conservation: The Urgent Prioritization of Island Management. Bioscience 63: 804–810
Read, J.L., Dagg, E. & Moseby, K.E. (2019). Prey selectivity by feral cats at central Australian rock-wallaby colonies. Aust. Mammal. 41, 132–141
Woinarski, J.C.Z., Armstrong, M., Brennan, A. K., Fisher, A., Griffiths, A. D., Hill, B.M., Milne, D. J., Palmer, C., Ward, S., Watson, M., Winderlich, S. and Young, S. (2010) Monitoring indicates rapid and severe decline of native small mammals in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia. Wildl. Res. 37: 116–126
Greenhouse gas and fisheries impacts of feeding stray cats
Okin G.S. (2017) Environmental impacts of food consumption by dogs and cats. PLoS ONE 12(8): e0181301.
Pet Food Market (2018) Wet Food, Dry Food, Nutrition, Snacks and Other for Cats, Dogs, and Other Animals: U.S Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, and Forecast, 2016–2022, report at https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/pet-food-market
Roberts, C. (2013) The Ocean of Life: The Fate of Man and the Sea. Penguin, New York
Sena S. De Silva, S.S. and Turchini, G.M. (2008) Towards Understanding the Impacts of the Pet Food
Industry on World Fish and Seafood Supplies. J Agric Environ Ethics 21:459–467
Pet Food Market (2018) Wet Food, Dry Food, Nutrition, Snacks and Other for Cats, Dogs, and Other Animals: U.S Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, and Forecast, 2016–2022, report at https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/pet-food-market
Roberts, C. (2013) The Ocean of Life: The Fate of Man and the Sea. Penguin, New York
Sena S. De Silva, S.S. and Turchini, G.M. (2008) Towards Understanding the Impacts of the Pet Food
Industry on World Fish and Seafood Supplies. J Agric Environ Ethics 21:459–467
Feral cat control examples
Eason, C.T. and Frampton, C.M. (1991) Acute toxicity of sodium monofuoroacetate (1080) baits to feral cats. Wildl. Res. 18: 445–449
Legge, S., Woinarski, J.C.Z., Burbidge, A.A., Palmer, R., Ringma, J., Radford, J.Q., Mitchell, N., Bode, M., Wintle, B., Baseler, M. Bentley, J., Copley, P., Dexter, N., Dickman, C.R. Gillespie, G.R., Hill, B., Johnson, C.N., Latch, P., Letnic, M., Manning, A., McCreless, E.E., Menkhorst, P., Morris, K., Moseby, K., Page, M., Pannell, D and Tuft, K. (2018) Havens for threatened Australian mammals: the contributions of fenced areas and offshore islands to the protection of mammal species susceptible to introduced predators. Wildl. Res. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR17172
Moseby, K.E., McGregor, H., and Read, J.L. (2020) Effectiveness of the Felixer grooming trap for the control of feral cats: a field trial in arid South Australia. Wildlife Research https://doi.org/10.1071/WR19132
Pedler, R.D., Brandle, R., Read, J.L., Southgate, R., Bird, P. and Moseby, K.E. (2016) Bio-control triggers landscape-scale recovery of threatened desert mammals. Cons. Biol. 30: 774–782
Pedler, R., Read, J., Moseby, K., Hunt, T, Lynch, C, Cullen, D, Coulter, B, Kingsford, R.T, West, R (2024) Field trialling FelixerTM grooming traps, for control of feral cats in the Strzelecki Desert, Australia Wildlife Research 51, WR24021. doi:10.1071/WR24021
Read, J.L., Peacock, D., Wayne, A.F. and Moseby, K.E. (2015) Toxic Trojans: Can feral cat predation be mitigated by making their prey poisonous? Wildl. Res. 42: 689–696
Read, J.L., Bengsen, A.J., Meek, P.D. and Moseby, K.E. (2015) How to snap your cat. Optimum lures and their placement for attracting mammalian predators in arid Australia. Wildlife Research 42: 1–12
Rickards, H., Read, J.L., Johnson, C., Jones, M., Pauza, M., Bentley, J., Sculthorpe, A., Humphrey, M. and Hamer, R. (2022) Is the Felixer cat-control device safe for marsupial carnivores? Wildlife Research https://doi.org/10.1071/WR21175
Russell, J.C., Jones, H.P., Armstrong, D.P., Courchamp, F., Kappes, P.J., Seddon, P.J., Oppel, S., Rauzon, M.J., Cowan, P.E., Rocamora, G., Genovesi, P., Bonnaud, E., Keitt, B.S., Holmes, N.D. and Tershy, B.R. (2016) Importance of lethal control of invasive predators for island conservation. Cons. Biol. 30: 670–672
Vantassel, S.M. Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats
Legge, S., Woinarski, J.C.Z., Burbidge, A.A., Palmer, R., Ringma, J., Radford, J.Q., Mitchell, N., Bode, M., Wintle, B., Baseler, M. Bentley, J., Copley, P., Dexter, N., Dickman, C.R. Gillespie, G.R., Hill, B., Johnson, C.N., Latch, P., Letnic, M., Manning, A., McCreless, E.E., Menkhorst, P., Morris, K., Moseby, K., Page, M., Pannell, D and Tuft, K. (2018) Havens for threatened Australian mammals: the contributions of fenced areas and offshore islands to the protection of mammal species susceptible to introduced predators. Wildl. Res. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR17172
Moseby, K.E., McGregor, H., and Read, J.L. (2020) Effectiveness of the Felixer grooming trap for the control of feral cats: a field trial in arid South Australia. Wildlife Research https://doi.org/10.1071/WR19132
Pedler, R.D., Brandle, R., Read, J.L., Southgate, R., Bird, P. and Moseby, K.E. (2016) Bio-control triggers landscape-scale recovery of threatened desert mammals. Cons. Biol. 30: 774–782
Pedler, R., Read, J., Moseby, K., Hunt, T, Lynch, C, Cullen, D, Coulter, B, Kingsford, R.T, West, R (2024) Field trialling FelixerTM grooming traps, for control of feral cats in the Strzelecki Desert, Australia Wildlife Research 51, WR24021. doi:10.1071/WR24021
Read, J.L., Peacock, D., Wayne, A.F. and Moseby, K.E. (2015) Toxic Trojans: Can feral cat predation be mitigated by making their prey poisonous? Wildl. Res. 42: 689–696
Read, J.L., Bengsen, A.J., Meek, P.D. and Moseby, K.E. (2015) How to snap your cat. Optimum lures and their placement for attracting mammalian predators in arid Australia. Wildlife Research 42: 1–12
Rickards, H., Read, J.L., Johnson, C., Jones, M., Pauza, M., Bentley, J., Sculthorpe, A., Humphrey, M. and Hamer, R. (2022) Is the Felixer cat-control device safe for marsupial carnivores? Wildlife Research https://doi.org/10.1071/WR21175
Russell, J.C., Jones, H.P., Armstrong, D.P., Courchamp, F., Kappes, P.J., Seddon, P.J., Oppel, S., Rauzon, M.J., Cowan, P.E., Rocamora, G., Genovesi, P., Bonnaud, E., Keitt, B.S., Holmes, N.D. and Tershy, B.R. (2016) Importance of lethal control of invasive predators for island conservation. Cons. Biol. 30: 670–672
Vantassel, S.M. Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats
Cat legislation and position papers
RSPCA (2018) Identifying Best Practice Domestic Cat Management in Australia
Jayhawk Audubon Society, USA
National Audubon Society, USA
Jayhawk Audubon Society, USA
National Audubon Society, USA