Bernard Higgins believes more residents should be looking at ways to prevent their cats from attacking native animals. Photo: Supplied.
Did you know cats are the number one killers of native animals in Australia?
In fact, according to research conducted by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, the harm feral and domestic cats cause to native species is so high that they are solely responsible for the extinction of 27 species of native Australian animals and the death of more than 300 million animals each year.
These statistics have led many cat owners around the country, including Wagga local and proud Wiradjuri man Bernard Higgins, to create what he calls a ‘catio’.
His catio is a safe and netted outdoor space that allows his pet Jormumgundr, or Jormy for short, to enjoy the back yard without causing any harm to creatures that might visit.
Mr Higgins said it was important he created a safe space for Jormy to enjoy the outdoors, while also allowing other animals to live naturally.
“As much as people love their cats, it is important that people remember they are predatory animals,” he said.
“Nobody wants their cats killing animals, but it is up to the owners to make sure that they are preventing them from getting out.
“It also protects the cats as well. It stops them from getting out, roaming the streets and getting hit by cars or running away.
“When I bought this house, the first thing I did was put up the netting. Now whenever I’m sitting outside, they’ll just come out and join me.”
Mr Higgins set up a net just past his back patio to stop his pet from escaping and attacking animals. He calls it the ‘catio’. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Higgins said he would like to see more people do more to protect their cats and wildlife and that more should be done to educate pet owners about the harm cats could cause.
“I wouldn’t imagine that many people know about the number of animals that domestic cats kill every year, and I think that’s part of the problem,” Mr Higgins said.
“When you adopt a pet, whether it’s a dog, cat or whatever, it’s a lot of responsibility and part of that responsibility is protecting it from other animals.”
Wagga Wagga City Councillor Jenny McKinnon said pet owners like Mr Higgins should serve as role models to other owners.
“Looking at the statistics about what our domestic cats are doing to the native wildlife population is absolutely shocking,” she said.
“Often we can get stuck in the way of thinking that its somone else’s pets and we can ignore the fact that cats can cause a lot of harm.
“I think we, as a community of pet owners, can do more to protect native animals, and I think part of that is accepting that our pets aren’t always as innocent as we think.”
