Feral cats

Feral cats (Felis catus) are one of Australia's most widespread invasive pests. They occur across 99% of the continent, including many offshore islands, with an estimated population of between 1.4 million and 5.6 million cats.

With few natural predators, feral cats have a significant impact on native wildlife. They prey on small to medium-sized mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. The Australian Government's Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats (2024) estimates that feral cats kill around 1.5 billion native animals every year.

Under Queensland's Biosecurity Act 2014, feral cats are classified as restricted matter categories 3, 4 and 6, which means it is illegal to distribute, move or feed them.

How to spot a feral cat

• Can be any colour or pattern
• Often appear healthy and well-groomed despite living in the wild
• Are most active around dawn and dusk but may also be seen during the day
• May hiss, flee or behave aggressively if approached
• Usually avoid human contact.

A cat is more likely to be a pet, former pet or wandering (not feral) if they:

• approach people or meow
• accept food and water from humans
• are wearing a collar and appear well cared for.

Habitat and behaviour

• Can be found on farms, urban environments, native bushland and conservation areas
• Shelter in hollow logs and trees, rabbit burrows, long grass and piles of debris
• May live alone or in social groups, depending on food availability
• They hunt and kill wildlife even when alternative food sources are available

Impacts of feral cats

• Kill a wide range of native threatened and migratory species
• Compete with native wildlife for food and resources
• Attack poultry and small pets, causing losses in agricultural areas
• Transmit diseases to wildlife, pets and people, including toxoplasmosis and feline parvovirus, a highly contagious disease that can infect cats. Vaccination is available for pet cats.

How to prevent feral cats on your property

Landholders are responsible for managing feral cats on their property.

Exclusion fencing

Electric fencing with closely spaced wires can effectively protect small areas and domestic animals.

For non-electric fences:

• install netted roofing or a curved overhang to prevent climbing
• use predator-proof enclosures for poultry and other vulnerable animals.

See our Bird and Poultry requirements and permits page for more information about fencing and enclosures.

Property maintenance

• Remove dense weed infestations
• Clear rubbish piles and debris
• Restrict access under structures such as shipping containers

Food management

• Do not deliberately feed feral or wandering domestic cats
• Avoid creating feeding stations for wildlife, as these can attract predators
• Secure compost and dispose of food scraps appropriately
• Remove excess fallen fruit from around fruit trees

Monitoring and working with neighbours

Remote-sensing cameras can help confirm the presence of feral cats. Working with neighbours can improve monitoring, reduce costs and support more effective control across larger areas.

Signs of feral cat activity may include:

• cat scats
• tracks
• dens or shelter sites.

Trapping feral cats

Any trapping program must comply with animal welfare requirements and use approved trapping methods.

A wire cage trap with a trigger-operated door is the recommended option.

If you capture a cat:

• contact the City Pound on (07) 5581 7600, or
• take the cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible to check for a microchip.

In urban areas, trapped cats are more likely to be wandering domestic cats than true feral cats.

Soft-catch, rubber-jawed foothold traps may be used in specific circumstances by experienced land managers but are generally not recommended because of the risk of injury to both target and non-target animals.

How to report feral cats

Reporting helps us understand feral cat distribution across the Gold Coast.

Feral cats

To report a feral cat living independently in the wild, use Report a Problem – Animals and select Pest animals on the online form.

You can also report sightings through the FeralScan mobile app, available free on Apple and Android devices.

Wandering domestic cats

If a roaming domestic cat is causing a nuisance, report it through Report a Problem – Wandering and Nuisance Animals.