More than 20 Adelaide Hills environmental groups are calling for South Australia to introduce 24-hour cat containment as bird flu continues to spread among wildlife.
The groups, including Minton Farm Animal Rescue Centre, say as roaming cats could help spread H5 bird flu between infected wildlife populations, all pet cats should be confined to their owners’ properties.
“Cats are highly efficient and indiscriminate apex predators,” the groups say, arguing they can be a potential pathway for the virus between wild birds and mammals.
“As well as spreading the virus, cats are themselves susceptible to the disease. It can kill them, and it can present a risk to their households. A cat returning home after an outdoor excursion could shed the virus through saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces. Keeping cats inside ensures that the home environment remains a secure sanctuary.”
The call comes as Cleland Wildlife Park begins a vaccination program today for vulnerable native birds. Up to 100 birds across more than 30 species are expected to receive two doses of an H5 vaccine.
The State Government supports keeping pet cats indoors but has stopped short of backing a statewide containment law.
The Adelaide Hills Council has full cat containment laws while in the Mount Barker district, cats born after January 1, 2025 must already be confined to their home property 24 hours a day, while older cats face an overnight curfew from 8pm to 7am.
