NSW Parliament began their inquiry into the management of cat populations in NSW 11 October 2024, holding hearings in December 2024 and April this year.  

The committee heard from a wide range of stakeholders, including animal welfare groups, wildlife organisations, veterinarians and representatives from local councils and the NSW Government.  

In a submission to the inquiry, the RSPCA recommended reforms to the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998, which it described as having "no definitive clarity as to obligations in relation to cat management." Under the current law, cats are allowed to roam freely on private and public property, except in food preparation areas and wildlife sanctuaries. The Invasive Species Council reports that roaming pet cats kill 546 million animals per year in Australia, 323 million of these being native. It is estimated that since colonisation cats have driven 27 native animals to extinction, and currently threaten at least 124 more native species.  

In regional areas, the problem of roaming stray animals is particularly pronounced.  

In 2022, the NSW Government gave the RSPCA NSW a $2.5 million grant from the NSW Environmental Trust to implement the Keeping Cats Safe at Home (KCSAH) project in 11 council areas across NSW, including Walgett Shire Council. The KCSAH included a targeted desexing project, which saw an 81 per cent decrease in cat nuisance complaints between 2022-23 and a 99 per cent reduction in shelter intake between 2023-24 in Walgett. Targeted desexing programs also saw a decrease in euthanasia rates for cats, with regional areas like Weddin and Walgett seeing a 100 per cent reduction in euthanasia rates between 2023-34.  

Brewarrina Shire Council and Walgett Shire Council will be partnering with the RSPCA for a research program addressing stray animals after a funding grant from the NSW Government’s Environmental Research Round 2023/2024. The research project will be run over two years and will look at range of solutions, including community education and consultation, targeted desexing, and accessible pathways for surrender, rehoming or euthanasia of unwanted owned pets.  

Brewarrina Shire Council General Manager David Kirby, said the program aims to find long-term solutions to the issue of stray animals in the shire.  

“Council staff will be working closely with Vets and Zoologist, including Dr Gemma Ma and Dr Brooke Kennedy, the Local Lands Council and Elders Groups over the next three years to evaluate the impact of a number intervention programs, including targeted de-sexing and microchipping programs on an ongoing basis."  

The Chair of the Animal Welfare Committee, the Honourable Emma Hurst MLC, said the committee will be considering the viewpoint of all the stakeholders that present before them.  

"It is clear that cats are a companion and source of joy for many in the community. The appropriate management of cat populations is an important issue that must be approached thoughtfully and with careful consideration of the various options available. 

"The evidence from both hearings, as well as from the large number of submissions we have received, will help inform the committee's report as well as the recommendations we ultimately put to the NSW Government."