Victorian cat management strategy
The Victorian Government has developed a state-wide cat management strategy (the strategy) to guide cat management in Victoria over the next decade. Effective cat management is important, as it addresses significant challenges related to both cats and their impact on the environment.
The strategy seeks to ensure the wellbeing of both cats and wildlife while establishing a coordinated and integrated approach to managing cats across all land types. It has been developed through extensive research, expert insights, and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders involved in cat management including councils, animal welfare organisations, land managers, conservation groups, veterinary professionals and cat owners.
Objectives
The strategy’s objectives are to:
- Promote cat welfare and responsible ownership,
- Protect native wildlife, the environment and community from the negative impacts of cats
- Improve processes, cooperation and knowledge sharing in cat management.
Themes
The strategy addresses key cat management issues through the following themes:
- Promote cat welfare and responsible cat ownership
- Increase cat desexing rates
- Expand cat containment
- Reduce the impacts of semi-owned and unowned cats
- Manage feral cat populations and impacts
- Improve collaboration and information sharing
- Improve laws and processes
Read the strategy
Victorian Cat Strategy (PDF - 3.1 MB)
Victorian Cat Strategy – accessible (WORD - 165.1 KB)
Community feedback on the draft Victorian cat management strategy
Consultation on the draft Strategy took place in March and April 2024.
A summary and the full consultation report are available on Engage Victoria.