Introduction

This guideline aims to educate dog and cat owners about the impacts their pets may have on natural habitat and wildlife, and provide advice on ways to reduce the effects of dogs and cats on native plants and animals.

Companion animals bring many benefits to the community however our domestic friends can cause problems for our natural environment, particularly native fauna. The kind of threat cats and dogs pose includes:

• Attacking and killing native species
• Disturbing and harassing migratory and local wading birds while feeding and roosting
• Fecal pollution to the Pittwater waterways with nutrients and pathogens
• Transmitting disease to native animals to which they are not immune
• Trampling sensitive vegetation such as saltmarsh, mangroves and other native plants
• Cats preying on native animals when they turn stray

Ringtail Possum, Sugar and Squirrel Gliders, Bandicoots, Blue Wrens, Ducklings and Brush Turkeys are just some of the native species affected by dog and cat attacks each year.

Cats

Responsibilities of cat owners under the Companion Animal Act 1998

• All cats must be identified and registered
• Cats are prohibited in wildlife protection areas
• You must ensure your cat does  not interfere with the peace, comfort or convenience of any person or animal
• You must ensure your cat does not repeatedly damage anything outside its property

Tips on how to reduce the impacts of Cats on our native species

• Desex your cat to minimise the animal’s desire to stray and prey
• Attach two bells to your cat’s collar; a cat can learn to move without sounding one bell.
• Attach reflective mirrors or tags to the collar
• Discourage your cat from preying on animals
• Discourage your cat from damaging property including native habitat
• Ensure your cat remains within your property between dusk and dawn (overnight)
• If possible, keep your cat within your property at all times. Talk to your vet about creating a permanent cat enclosure that is safe and healthy for it.

Dogs

Responsibilities of Dog owners under the Companion Animal Act 1998

• Dogs must be under the effective control of a competent person by means of a lead, cord or chain in a public place except in approved off-leash area
• In off-leash areas, your dog must always be under the effective control of a competent person
• If is an offence not to remove the faeces  if your dog defecates in a public place
• Dogs are prohibited in some areas including wildlife protection areas, recreation areas and public bathing areas
• As the owner you must ensure that your dog does not escape from your property
• As the owner you must ensure your dog is adequately identified (microchip) and registered

Tips on how to reduce the impact of dogs on our native species

• Always keep out of foreshore and bushland vegetation when walking your dog
• Discipline your dog if you see it attempt to chase wildlife and give it praise for obeying you
• Desex your dog to reduce its instinct for staying and attacking
• Train your dog to stop barking when you command; barking can cause stress to wildlife 
• Always collect your dogs faeces
• Ensure your dog cannot escape from your property
• Keep your dog on a leash when outside of your property

To access the full details of the Best Practice Guidelines click here

Further Information

• Dog Exercise Areas in Pittwater Council
• Companion animals
• Information for Cat Owners in NSW - Department of Local Government
• Information for Dog Owners in NSW -Department of Local Government
• Managing impacts of domestic cats in peri-urban reserves
• Problems associated with Pets in Parks - DECCW
• Protecting our wildlife - Responsible Pet Ownership – DECCW