The metropolitan domestc cat
Summary
In April 1994, an extensive survey of the metropolitan domestic cat population was conducted by Reark Research, Pty Ltd.
Concern about the role of domestics cats in particular has led some groups to consider cat management options. Management decisions are hampered, however, by a scarcity of scientific information on the interaction of domestic cats with native fauna.
Previous research has shown that domestic cats are catching native wildlife. But - how many? To date, none of the studies published have used sample groups which reflect domestic cat distribution, making it very difficult to draw conclusions about the behaviour of the cat population as a whole.
Most people live in highly urbanised areas. It was suspected that a survey conducted over the full range of metropolitan populations would show that domestic cats in fact catch very few native fauna.
Petcare Information and Advisory Service (PIAS) thus commissioned Reark Research Pty Ltd, an independent market research organisation, to conduct a detailed survey of the metropolitan cat in all Australian capital cities (except Darwin). The sample group was selected to represent domestic cat distribution within each city, thus ensuring that conclusions could be drawn about the metropolitan cat population.
The survey was to provide information on the hunting behaviour of domestic cats and determine the size, age and neuter status of the metropolitan cat population.