![]() ![]() A recent Australian study reported that predation rates of individual pet cats are about 25% that of feral cats, but that densities of pet cats are much greater than feral cats ( 10). However, while feral cats usually live in fairly remote, undisturbed habitats, and must hunt for all their food, cats in urban and peri-urban areas live in locations where native habitats are highly disturbed by humans, and they generally rely on humans intentionally or unintentionally to provide most or all of their food ( 8, 9). This information is useful for developing effective management strategies and directing resources in urban areas to protect native species, particularly given that the approach may differ between disturbed urban and undisturbed natural environments.įeral cats have played a role in the extinction of native species in mainland Australia and on Australian islands ( 6, 7). The knowledge of what pet dogs and cats are hunting and the numbers and proportion of their prey that are native species is a guide to their impact on wildlife populations in urban areas. Domestic dogs ( Canis familiaris) and domestic cats ( Felis catus) have been introduced to a variety of ecosystems globally and hunt successfully in many of them ( 3– 5). Introduced species can alter ecosystem dynamics in a number of ways, such as through increased competition for resources and predation of native species ( 1, 2). The introduction of non-native species to a new region can have significant impacts on local ecosystems. These findings can inform that understanding, and assist with development of management strategies for urban dogs and cats, and as well as directing resources to efforts that will most protect urban wildlife. To design measures that will effectively protect Australia's native wildlife, thorough understanding of the role dogs and cats play in Australian urban ecosystems is required. ![]() Most birds caught by dogs and cats were common or introduced (dogs: crested pigeons and lorikeets cats: noisy miners and rosellas). Small skinks and lizards comprised the greatest proportion for dogs and cats, but dogs also caught larger native prey (e.g., possums, kangaroos, and wallabies). However, median numbers of native animals caught per dog (2) or cat (3) over 6 months were low. Of pets that caught prey, a substantial proportion caught native animals (62% of dogs and 47% of cats). Of mammals caught by dogs and cats, 88 and 93%, respectively, were identifiable as introduced mice, rats, and rabbits. Of the pets observed to catch prey, dogs caught a median of 2 mammals, 2 birds, 2 reptiles, and 3 amphibians, whereas cats caught a median of 3 mammals, 2 birds, 4 reptiles, and 2 amphibians. Using an online questionnaire, we obtained data from 662 Australian dog and cat owners who had observed their pets capture prey in the previous 6 months. 3Jemora Pty Ltd., Geelong, VIC, AustraliaĬoncerns about the impact of pet dogs and cats on native wildlife populations have shaped pet control legislation, despite there being scant research of their impact in urban areas.2Australian Pet Welfare Foundation, Kenmore, QLD, Australia.1School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia.Michael Franklin 1 Jacquie Rand 1,2 * Linda Marston 1 John Morton 1,3
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