Issued by the National Feral Cat Taskforce
Australia's native wildlife is part of our national identity. As we continue to look for ways to conserve and protect our unique species, a new challenge has emerged: H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza, commonly known as H5 bird flu.
The Feral Cat Taskforce acknowledges the devastating impact H5 bird flu has had on wild birds and some mammals throughout the world, and that the disease is now present in Australia.
Elsewhere in the world, H5 bird flu has been found to infect cats, mostly through cats consuming infected birds. Infection can result in severe respiratory and neurological symptoms, and death for cats.
The Taskforce recognises that there are few direct, protective actions available to mitigate the impact of H5 bird flu in free-ranging wildlife, and we are already seeing mass mortality events in some species. Therefore, abating existing threats, like those posed by cats, to threatened species in Australia is more critical than ever.
To help native species better face the threat of H5 bird flu, and to protect pet cats from H5 bird flu, we need to prevent cats from roaming and impacting wildlife.
The Taskforce recognises the vital importance of:
- continuing and strengthening feral cat control programs to reduce the predation and disease impacts feral cats have on our at-risk wildlife.
- pet cat owners practicing responsible cat ownership, including by containing their pet cats 24/7 (with suitable enrichment) to protect them from exposure to H5 bird flu, and to protect our irreplaceable native wildlife, including the species sharing our suburbs and towns.
- increasing understanding about the incidence of H5 bird flu infection in cats, survival rates and virus mutation, including through surveillance where practicable.
Research shows that feral cats in Australia kill over 1.5 billion native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs each year.
Roaming pet cats also have an enormous impact on wildlife, killing over 320 million native vertebrate animals in Australia each year and disturbing many more.
The impacts of predation by feral cats, coupled with the threat of H5 bird flu, increases the overall pressure on our native wildlife, including threatened species.
Feral cat control
Control of feral cats, especially species at-risk from H5 bird flu, is more important than ever.
H5 bird flu may impact some invasive mammal species, including feral cats and foxes, but this does not mean we can reduce our efforts to control them.
In fact, the threat H5 bird flu poses to our native species underscores the need to continue to mitigate the impacts of other threats, like feral cats, for which we have control options. Furthermore, continuing research into the impacts of feral cats on wildlife remains vital.
Pet cat containment
Keeping pet cats contained is always best practice for wildlife and pet safety. Allowing cats to roam now presents a heightened risk of exposure to H5 bird flu and potential further spread of the disease.
Ensuring cats are kept in safe environments - contained or indoors with appropriate enrichment - prevents them from hunting or disturbing at-risk birds and will also protect cats from getting sick or dying.
What you can do - avoid, record and report
As part of national biosecurity preparedness, the Taskforce supports the national guidance which recommends precautionary actions to mitigate potential risks associated with H5 bird flu.
- Report suspected avian influenza: If you observe multiple sick or dead wild birds, do not touch them. Record the location and immediately notify the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
- Contain pet cats 24/7: Keep pet cats and their food and water bowls strictly indoors or within fully enclosed outdoor netting/cat runs. Ensure outdoor structures prevent any physical interaction with wild birds and their feathers or droppings.
- Do not allow contact with dead or sick animals: Never permit pets to touch, inspect, or feed on carcasses.
- Ensure your cat is desexed, registered and microchipped to protect their long-term health and welfare, and to reduce the risk of adding to the feral cat population.
In addition, the Taskforce encourages local governments and communities to explore and implement cat containment initiatives that protect both native biodiversity and community biosecurity.
Supporting local policy frameworks is a key pathway for reducing roaming cat impacts on native wildlife.
Background - Feral Cat Taskforce
- Set up in 2015, the Feral Cat Taskforce is a national coordinating and advisory body focussed on reducing the severe impacts feral cats have on Australia's native wildlife and environment.
- Guided by the Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats 2024, the Taskforce supports best-practice feral cat management by coordinating action across the country, sharing data and research, building collaborative partnerships, and developing consistent messaging about feral cat impacts and their management.
- Chaired by Australia's Threatened Species Commissioner, the Taskforce brings together representatives from Australian, state, and territory governments, local government, Indigenous land councils, scientific and veterinary experts, and key conservation non-government organisations. RSPCA Australia also participates as a standing observer.
