Ten Lives Cat Centre has launched its second targeted cat management program in Richmond, aiming to curb stray populations and better protect native wildlife.
The initiative builds on a successful 2020 project that significantly reduced the number of stray cats surrendered from the Richmond area.
As southern Tasmania’s largest dedicated cat shelter, Ten Lives is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation focused on rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming unwanted cats and kittens.
CEO Noel Hunt said the program takes a proactive, community-based approach to cat management rather than relying solely on shelter intake.
“The project took a proactive, community-based approach to managing cats, rather than relying solely on the shelter,” Ten Lives CEO Noel Hunt said.
“The goal was to lower the number of cats coming into care and to help protect local wildlife.”
Clarence Council recently appointed a dedicated cat management officer, creating an opportunity for collaboration between the organisations.
Hunt said the Richmond area was previously identified as a “hot spot” with high numbers of problem cats and frequent surrenders to the shelter.
“Our data showed that we had lots of problem cat areas, lots of cats coming from the area,” he said.
The 2020-2022 Richmond project included community consultation, camera trapping, low-cost desexing, microchipping and education programs about responsible cat ownership.
Hunt said roaming domestic cats kill approximately 700 small birds, lizards and animals annually, while feral cats kill over 1000.
Mayor Brendan Blomeley said the partnership would help council gather data to inform future cat management policies.
“Cat management is an issue being dealt with at both a state and local government level,” Blomeley said.
“Community feedback is essential in helping us make informed, effective decisions that support responsible cat ownership, protect local wildlife, and improve outcomes for both residents and animals.”
The council is developing its own cat management policy while awaiting the state government’s overdue 2024-2029 Cat Management Plan.
Ten Lives said they are also considering expanding similar projects to other problem areas including South Arm, with other councils expressing interest in the collaborative model.
