WA is eagerly waiting for the state government to act on a promise made last year to fix outdated cat laws that prevent local councils from effectively enforcing pet cat containment according to the Invasive Species Council.

New research by CSIRO publishing has revealed the consequences of continued inaction.

The new study shows that preventing pet cats from roaming remains a major challenge across Western Australia, despite 78 per cent of local governments eager for reform and growing community support.

Local authorities and groups have made previous calls for changes to laws as reported in Mundaring to review cat laws, Wheatbelt group aid feral cat fight, Hills cat fight handballed to Parliament and Kalamunda cat law under review.

“Last year the WA government promised to change the law that makes it difficult for councils to act on pet cat containment. That commitment was welcome – but right now, councils are still stuck waiting, while wildlife and pet cats pay the price,” Invasive Species Council chief executive officer Jack Gough said.

“Roaming pet cats are sending our suburbs silent. Every year across Australia they kill more than 300 million native animals – wiping out birds, reptiles, frogs and small mammals.

“In the Greater Perth region alone, more than four million mammals, birds and reptiles are killed each month by roaming pet cats. Over the same period, more than 800 pet cats die from roaming-related injuries – deaths that experts say are entirely avoidable.

“WA is lagging the nation when it comes to responsible pet ownership laws, and local councils are crying out for the state government to step up and empower them to protect wildlife.

“The study shows that 78 per cent of local governments are now interested in implementing permanent containment for pet cats, meaning Western Australia could rapidly shift from national laggard to national leader – if legal barriers are removed.

“Cats are incredible hunters and killers.

“We can’t change the nature of cats, but we can change the culture that allows pet cats to roam and kill our native animals.

“This is a basic reform which will both protect our native wildlife and give our pets a safer, longer life.

“For the sake of our numbats, terns, frogs and skinks, WA can’t afford to fail on cat containment any longer.

“We look forward to the Cook government following through on their promise,” Mr Gough said.