Let me preface this by stating unequivocally;

Animal cruelty in any form is simply not on.

Why was Smokey the cat shot?

Because he was out roaming the country side.

In a country where native fauna is being decimated by introduced animals; why did the Dunn family of Carisbrooke, Victoria, allow their cat to be outside of the house in the first place?

Putting aside the issue of stupidity and cruelty on the part of the perpetrator(s), the raw basic fact is that if the cat was not roaming around doing what all cats do then it could not have been shot.

Unfortunately the Dunn’s aren’t alone in this habit, recently there was also Clyde, a long-haired Himalayan cat found 3200km from home after his “mysterious three-year odyssey”.

But these are just two highlighted incidences of a deeply rooted problem, not only here in Australia but around the world. A problem that creates an unimaginable nightmare for victims of this predator. A Google image search for “Look what the cat dragged in” will show you hundreds of photos relating to this topic.

Much of Australia’s wildlife is most active at night, especially at dusk and dawn and, unfortunately for them, this corresponds with the activity period of Cats.

Many people don’t give a second thought to what their cat gets up to once they’re outside. What they don’t realise is that even the most docile of cats will prey on and kill native wildlife because of their natural hunting instincts.

Putting a collar with a bell on it on them, is simply not enough. Studies continue to show that predatory behaviour in cats is only marginally reduced by this. Cats are silent stalkers so the bell may not sound in time to warn prey animals. The cat will also learn to just move more cautiously so that the bell doesn’t ring in the first place.

Yes there are other cat attachments, CatBib™  CatAlert™ etcetera however the best possible solution is to keep your cat confined to your property,  indoors or in a special enclosure or cattery, at all times. Then, and only then, will our wildlife be protected. This simple and effective measure would have also prevented the misadventures of Smokey and Clyde.

Inside Cat = Domestic – Outside Cat = Feral

Useful links:

• Catnip Modular Cat Parks
• CatBibâ„¢
• CatAlertâ„¢
• Wildlife Rescue- Cats and wildlife information
• Cat Protection Society – Responsible Cat Ownership
• WIRES – Cats and wildlife information sheet