Government Considers Cat-Free Suburbs

[matcom]

<snip>

PARTS of the nation's capital could become cat-free zones under a plan being considered by the ACT government.

A committee has recommended the government consider declaring new suburbs near nature reserves cat-free.

The committee also said the government should look at ways of restricting domestic cats adjacent to nature areas.

ACT Chief Minister Jon (Jon) Stanhope said the government will soon announce its plan for protecting wildlife from domestic cats.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8654422%255E13762,00.html

[DarkPhenyx]

1. Excellent!

The next step will be an official hunting season for cats. Sweet! Wonder what the bag limit will be.

[Loonman]

2. It's in Australia

Australia has a very delicate ecosystem.

[SHRED]

3. Cats kill

Cats are detrimental to birds and other wildlife in the suburbs.
A drastic decline in songbirds is a direct result of people's cats.

Cute little killers.

[LynneSin]

4. I keep my cute little killer indoors

:shrug:

No songbirds have been killed by my sweetie but he did massacre a spider he found the other day.

Poor Spider...

[MissMillie]

5. And he will not be killed by car or coyote

or infectous disease.

You are wise to keep him inside.

[adriennel]

6. rodent control?

my cat kills only rodents...we seem to have plenty of them around here so I don't feel bad.

[cally]

7. I live in a subdivision that bans cats

I live near a marsh that where the endangered saltwater marsh mouse lives. Several of us do have indoor cats which is OK. If the cat escapes though, there are traps all over to capture the cats and take them to the humane society. I expect there would be a large fine but I haven't had to find out. I'm very careful about keeping the cat inside.

[geniph]

8. None of my three have ever set foot outdoors

nor will they. Cats, dogs, pigs, goats, and humans are all very detrimental to island ecosystems where they were not native.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. I think it's a good idea; but I wonder

if the rat population will thrive as a result.