In a bid to reduce the impact of roaming cats on native wildlife and improve pet welfare, the Keeping Cats Safe at Home program is being rolled out to 19 more council areas across the state. Walgett Shire has already been part of a program trial and will continue to be involved, and both Brewarrina Shire and Central Darling Councils are among those joining the program.

The NSW Government and RSPCA NSW are behind the $6 million expansion to a total of 30 councils across the state. The initiative promotes desexing, microchipping, lifetime registration and voluntary containment of domestic cats, helping protect native species while keeping pets safe.

Domestic cats are estimated to kill around 53 million reptiles, 61 million birds and 67 million mammals annually in Australia. The program also addresses animal welfare concerns, with two-in-three cat owners having lost a pet due to roaming-related incidents, many involving road accidents.

Pilot areas saw free-roaming cats reduced by 50 per cent in the Blue Mountains, 35 per cent in Campbelltown and 25 per cent in Tweed. More than 2700 cats were desexed and over 1700 microchipped, while cat-related nuisance complaints dropped more than 40 per cent in several communities.

RSPCA NSW CEO Steven Coleman said the Keeping Cats Safe At Home program delivers a win-win solution that benefits both pets and native wildlife.

“The initiative is another example of how RSPCA NSW’s One Welfare focus is working to shape compassionate communities that care for their animals, while collaboratively supporting councils and wildlife groups across the state to achieve better outcomes.

"RSPCA NSW supports evidence-based approaches to cat management and will continue to support the voluntary uptake of cat containment by cat caregivers,” Mr Coleman said.