@WAFCWG

Improving the trajectory of native fauna conservation outcomes across Western Australia through collaborative, effective, efficient & humane management of cats.

 Perth, Western Australia
wafcwg.org.au/
Joined April 2021
  • Tweets674
  • Following310
  • Followers702
127Media
WA Feral Cat Working Group retweeted
Bruce Webber@DrBruceWebberOct 15
I spoke this morning with Mark Gibson on @abcperth Breakfast radio about where WA is at with the Cat Act Amendment Bill to provide clarity that local governments need to implement cat containment laws. Listen here (from 2:34:55): abc.net.au/listen/programs/p…
A content pet cat sits inside in front of a window basking in the soft sunlight.

ALT A content pet cat sits inside in front of a window basking in the soft sunlight.

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Job opportunity: Senior Project Coordinator at @WAFCWG Help improve cat management across Western Australia through information sharing, research facilitation and collaboration. Please share & tag! Further details: external.jobs.uwa.edu.au/job… Closing: Thu 27 Aug 2026
The WA Feral Cat Working Group is recruiting. Come and join us as our Senior Project Coordinator. Applications close Thu 27 August.

ALT The WA Feral Cat Working Group is recruiting. Come and join us as our Senior Project Coordinator. Applications close Thu 27 August.

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Preventing cats from roaming keeps them safe from harm and protect native wildlife. This is even more important as H5 bird flu spreads; cats have mortality rates of up to 70%. Here's how pet owners can support their furry friends in making the transition. theguardian.com/australia-ne…

Safe as houses: how to make your outdoor cat at home indoors to protect themselves and the enviro...

Keeping cats indoors can keep them safe from harm and protect native wildlife. But how can pet owners support their furry friends in making the transition?

theguardian.com
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WA Feral Cat Working Group retweeted
Bruce Webber@DrBruceWebberAug 8
A #newpaper reveals that feral cats in Australia likely kill far more Australian native animals than previously thought. DNA analysis picked up more small and soft bodied prey compared to traditional gut content assessments. theconversation.com/feral-ca…

Feral cats likely kill far more Australian native animals than we thought: first DNA analysis

We cannot fence the whole of Australia. Therefore, we need to know which species are most at risk from cats.

theconversation.com
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It's International Cat Day, make it a day to care more about pet cats. Share your views on the WA Cat Act review using our guidance based on the latest scientific knowledge: tinyurl.com/wacatact Be part of a better future for pet cats, wildlife and people in Western Australia.
An image of a pet cat resting on a couch celebrating International Cat Day and asking people to share feedback on the WA Cat Act review via the following link: https://tinyurl.com.wacatact

ALT An image of a pet cat resting on a couch celebrating International Cat Day and asking people to share feedback on the WA Cat Act review via the following link: https://tinyurl.com.wacatact

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Have you submitted your feedback on the WA Cat Act review (due 31 Aug)? Guidelines to help: wafcwg.org.au/wp-content/upl… Advice on urban myths & fallacies: wafcwg.org.au/wp-content/upl… This is your chance to shape the future of cat welfare & responsible pet ownership in WA.
A pet cat paws at a note pad and computer with a cup of black coffee nearby.

ALT A pet cat paws at a note pad and computer with a cup of black coffee nearby.

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WA is reviewing its Cat Act and wants your feedback. The @WAFCWG have prepared evidence-based content to use for answering their questions. For the sake of cats, people and wildlife, we need to get this right. Read up and submit your views before 31 Aug! wafcwg.org.au/media_post/wes…
Make a contribution to the future of responsible cat ownership in Western Australia. Prepare your own submission to the Cat Act review using our guidelines for download from our WAFCWG website.

ALT Make a contribution to the future of responsible cat ownership in Western Australia. Prepare your own submission to the Cat Act review using our guidelines for download from our WAFCWG website.

Make a contribution to the future of responsible cat ownership in Western Australia. Prepare your own submission to the Cat Act review using our guidelines. Our highest priority recommendations include: • A centralised registration and management system for cats (and ideally all pets). • Early age sterilisation no later than four months of age. • Mandatory permanent containment at the state level. • A significant education campaign for all aspects of responsible pet cat ownership. • A clearer binary approach to terminology (owned, unowned) across WA’s cat-related policy and legislation. • Consistency in laws across the state, including consistent enforcement, numbers of cats a household can own and the reporting of cat management metrics. • Use-based cost sharing to support centralised cat management facilities. Download the full recommendations from our website.

ALT Make a contribution to the future of responsible cat ownership in Western Australia. Prepare your own submission to the Cat Act review using our guidelines. Our highest priority recommendations include: • A centralised registration and management system for cats (and ideally all pets). • Early age sterilisation no later than four months of age. • Mandatory permanent containment at the state level. • A significant education campaign for all aspects of responsible pet cat ownership. • A clearer binary approach to terminology (owned, unowned) across WA’s cat-related policy and legislation. • Consistency in laws across the state, including consistent enforcement, numbers of cats a household can own and the reporting of cat management metrics. • Use-based cost sharing to support centralised cat management facilities. Download the full recommendations from our website.

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The Cat Act is being reviewed in Western Australia, public comment is open. Next week the @WAFCWG will be publishing our guidance on the changes needed to improve responsible pet cat ownership in Western Australia. We encourage you to use our guidance to shape your submission!
A content grey cat sits on a couch

ALT A content grey cat sits on a couch

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"The overwhelming majority of people now understand the science and all the robust evidence that shows us cat containment done well is better for pet cats, better for wildlife and better for people" swtimes.com.au/news/regional…

Cats carnage unchecked with legislation stuck in limbo

An estimated 18 million native animals and almost 4000 pet cats have been killed in the past five months, despite legislation capable of stopping the carnage sitting in limbo in Parliament. 

swtimes.com.au
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Why has the Cat Act Amendment Bill stalled in the WA parliament? It is certainly not because it is lacking bipartisan support and widespread recognition that the issue is an urgent priority. Let’s get this done.
Quotes from WA state politicians that show bipartisan support for the Cat Amendment (Local Laws) Bill in Western Australia

ALT Quotes from WA state politicians that show bipartisan support for the Cat Amendment (Local Laws) Bill in Western Australia

Quotes from WA state politicians that show bipartisan support for the Cat Amendment (Local Laws) Bill in Western Australia

ALT Quotes from WA state politicians that show bipartisan support for the Cat Amendment (Local Laws) Bill in Western Australia

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WA Feral Cat Working Group retweeted
Agvocate_Au@agvocate_auJul 10
and don't forget the one before that. Plus all the others since 2023. Anyone who clings to the belief that roaming cats don't kill native wildlife
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On Feb 25 a bill was tabled to let WA local govts implement cat containment. Despite bipartisan support it has stalled. Since then, in Greater Perth c. 17.5M animals have been killed by roaming pet cats and 3600 pet cats have died from roaming incidents. Let's end the slaughter.
A cat with blue eyes stares at the camera in a dark room. Photo: Pacto Visual.

ALT A cat with blue eyes stares at the camera in a dark room. Photo: Pacto Visual.

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Our new Chair, Prof Peter Klinken, is calling for urgent progress on WA's stalled Cat Amendment (Local Laws) Bill. Giving local governments the power to introduce cat containment laws is an important step for protecting native wildlife. Read more: watoday.com.au/national/west…

The shocking figures behind an urgent push to revive WA’s stalled cat laws

Every week, one million animals are killed by roaming cats across greater Perth, while 200 pet cats are killed in roaming related incidents.

watoday.com.au
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We’re pleased to welcome Prof Peter Klinken AC as the new Chair of the WA Feral Cat Working Group. His appointment comes as momentum builds to improve pet, stray and feral cat management across WA. We also thank Susan Hunt AM PSM for her outstanding leadership. #Biodiversity #WA
We’re pleased to welcome Prof Peter Klinken AC as the new Chair of the WA Feral Cat Working Group.

ALT We’re pleased to welcome Prof Peter Klinken AC as the new Chair of the WA Feral Cat Working Group.

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WA Feral Cat Working Group retweeted
Bruce Webber@DrBruceWebberJan 27
A new paper in Pacific Conservation Biology reveals that preventing pet cats from roaming remains a significant but important challenge for Western Australia, with 78% of local governments willing but unable to implement permanent containment. OA: doi.org/10.1071/PC25042
A content cat lies in a hammock in an enclosed catio to protect it and wildlife from the dangers of roaming. This photo accompanies a new publication in the journal Pacific Conservation Biology on the benefits of cat containment.

ALT A content cat lies in a hammock in an enclosed catio to protect it and wildlife from the dangers of roaming. This photo accompanies a new publication in the journal Pacific Conservation Biology on the benefits of cat containment.

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“It is time for Western Australia to enable and encourage local cat laws that enable permanent containment for pet cats” The broader implications of our survey of local governments across WA regarding responsible pet cat ownership. watoday.com.au/national/west…

WA councils want to outlaw roaming cats. Here’s what’s stopping them

Perth’s Cat Haven could halve its annual intake if councils made cat containment laws, it says – and many councils are trying.

watoday.com.au
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WA Feral Cat Working Group retweeted
6PR Perth@6PR16 Jul 2025
Dr Bruce Webber says change is well overdue for Western Australia to enable and encourage local cat laws that enable permanent containment for pet cats. MORE: nine.social/Zrn
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What do WA local governments want when it comes to responsible cat ownership? What have they tried? What do they want to do? What are their challenges? We asked them! 78% of LGAs in WA would do permanent containment for pet cats if there was a clear pathway to implementation.
Bruce Webber@DrBruceWebber16 Jul 2025
We've taken the pulse on on responsible cat ownership across Western Australia. The @WAFCWG undertook a survey of all 139 local governments on past attempts, current efforts, and future aspirations by local governments for managing pet cats. A🧵(1/5)
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WA Feral Cat Working Group retweeted
Bruce Webber@DrBruceWebber2 Jun 2025
There are many dangers your cat may face when roaming. With 2 in 3 cat owners having lost a cat to a roaming related accident, many people are already making the choice to keep their cats contained. What a great initiative @RSPCA_Vic!👏 Find out more: rethinkroaming.com.au/

Rethink Roaming - RSPCA Victoria

When your cat roams, they take more risks than you think. See the risks in your area and learn how to keep your cat safe.

rethinkroaming.com.au
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The cost of permanent containment for pet cats can be cheaper than one vet bill to treat a roaming-related accident (car strike, animal attack). Suitable containment solutions can also be done in a temporary way for renters. Time to rethink the problem. abc.net.au/news/2025-05-22/v…

Debt, death or surrender: The impossible choice faced by cash-strapped pet owners

Michael thought he would have to surrender his beloved cat when he was suddenly hit with a big emergency vet bill. Experts say many Australians are taking on debts through high-interest loan schemes...

abc.net.au
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