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In an effort to stop the source of a pervasive feral cat problem that is threatening wildlife and public health, cats could be banned from going outside under new Australian law. The ongoing deaths of birds, rodents, and other animals, has now Australia to consider a ban or curfew on outdoor cats, the government announced last week Local government minister David Templeman added,."The state government is committed to ensuring this important legislation is up to date and fit for purpose in the control and management of cats and dogs in Western Australia. From encouraging responsible pet ownership, keeping the community and other animals safe, reuniting lost pets with their owners to reducing the number of animals that are admitted to shelters and euthanized, the legislation impacts the whole community." In April, The Independent reported that the Australian government was allegedly air -dropping poisonous sausages in a bid to kill millions of feral cats. According to reports, it is just one of the tactics used by the government as part of its plan cull 2 million feral cats by 2020 to protect native species. The Australian Department of Sustainability, Environ—sn', <'^nulation, Water and Communities writes: The feral cat is found in nearly all habitats across Australia. It has caused the extinction of some species on islands and has contributed to the disappearance of many ground -dwelling birds and mammals on the mainland. Feral cat control is feasible on islands, but elsewhere, management is difficult due to the lack of effective and humane broad -scale control techniques, and the presence of domestic cats. Cats are not a native species in either the United States or Australia. It is believed cats arrived in Australia in the 17th century with Dutch shipwrecks COMPANION CATS CAN BE DEADLY, TOO Just as in the U.S., Australia's feral cat colonies are the result of the irresponsible actions of people who abandon their unsterilized cats or allow them to roam outdoors unsupervised and those who decided to allow their pets to have a littt, u, \�r uvwre spaying or neutering, PETA Australia explains: