Push to keep cats off Melbourne streets as number of deaths skyrockets

A growing number of Victorian councils are implementing stricter cat curfews and fines for owners as the RSPCA launches a new campaign to stop the animals from roaming Melbourne's streets.

The "Rethink Roaming" campaign, prompted by data showing skyrocketing death rates among prowling pets, aims to highlight the dangers faced by cats allowed to roam freely.

It includes an online tool designed to illustrate the risks to which cats are exposed when they leave their properties, including train lines, main roads, and snakes. 

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The campaign also seeks to address the environmental impact of roaming cats on wildlife.

"Nine out of 10 cats that go missing are not reunited with their owners… and that is a really terrible statistic," Rebecca Cook from RSPCA Victoria said.

More than half of Victoria's 79 councils currently have cat curfews in place, predominantly from sunset to sunrise. 

Four councils have implemented 24-hour restrictions: Yarra Ranges, Wellington Shire Council, Surf Coast Shire, and Knox City Council, which imposes a $91 fine for first offences and $545 for repeated breaches. 

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On top of the fines, owners may also have to pay to retrieve their pet from the pound.

From October 1, the City of Melbourne will introduce a nighttime cat curfew, with cats also banned from entering major parks and gardens unless they're in a carrier, wearing a harness or on a leash.

Animal behaviourist Naomi Thompson said there are ways to keep cats entertained and contained indoors. 

"Elevated spaces, having cat trees… different beds," she said.'

"We get them anything that would move like prey would move. And that will kind of create that for them inside."

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.