Buying or adopting a new cat is a delight, but it does come with responsibilities. Make sure you’re ready to take on an animal and that you have the right house for the breed you’re choosing. Find out what you can do to keep your cat, your neighbours and your community happy.
Cats
Owning a cat is a big responsibility. Although most cats make terrific companions, are fairly independent and easy to maintain, the decision to add another member to your family is an important one. Think carefully before buying a cat and never buy a pet impulsively.
Where Your Cat Can’t Go
Be a responsible cat owner and keep your cat out of wildlife protection areas, that is all national parks, most bushland areas and some parks and reserves. Keep your cat away from any area where an endangered species or other wildlife live.
Considerations Before Buying a Cat
Owning a cat is a big responsibility. Make sure you have the means to provide veterinary care and food for your cat. Some cats can live more than 20 years so it is a true commitment. Finally, be sure everybody in your house will love and welcome your new feline.
When Your Cat Comes Home
Cats are hunters and an important factor in the decline of native animal populations. Northern Beaches Council encourages all cat owners to keep their cats indoors at night, to not feed stray cats and to have your cat cared for properly when you’re away on holidays.
Nuisance Cats
Cats who attack native wildlife, destroy property or cause too much noise are deemed a nuisance. Keep your cat indoors, especially at night. Cats are big sleepers so provide entertainment for them when they’re awake. Have a scratching post, shelves, and boxes to keep them amused. Keep a litter box for your cat inside. Report a nuisance cat.
Safe and Happy Cats
We’re huge cat-lovers, with an estimated 50,000 animals living on the Northern Beaches. But according to RSPCA NSW, 2 in 3 cat owners have lost a cat to a roaming-related accident and 1 in 3 to a car accident!
That is why we are partnering with RSPCA NSW on their Keeping Cats Safe at Home program. This 4-year education project is funded by the NSW Government to encourage cat owners to adopt a safe-at-home lifestyle, protecting their favourite feline from outdoor threats and reducing their impact on our native wildlife.
Check out their Keeping Your Cat Safe and Happy At Home brochure, which has plenty of helpful information on what you need to provide for your cat inside, and how you can even offer your cat safe access to fresh air and the outdoors. View the RSPCA website