ACCORDING to the 1998 NSW Companion Animals Act, cats are not restricted from roaming in Parkes.
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That being said, every cat must be identifiable (with an owner's name and address) through either a collar with contact information, or microchip.
Unfortunately, this doesn't always happen.
And we have received reports that this is causing both domestic and feral wandering cats to become an issue in Parkes. One that's hard to act on.
Darren Byrnes, a ranger with the Parkes Shire Council, says it is often hard to do something about a cat when it attacks native animals or other people's pets and property.
"There is a very low percentage of cats that are microchipped," he said.
"A microchip makes them identifiable, which means the Council have more power to do things when a cat is a nuisance.
"There may often be many cats that look almost identical in an area so it can be hard to pinpoint and prove which one is responsible if they aren't microchipped.
"It also means if a cat is surrendered to the pound an owner can't be contacted, so it's really important owners microchip their cats," said Darren.
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The Parkes Shire Council's animal shelter, located at 56 Saleyards Road, accept cats being dropped off, unlike some other councils, but it's something Darren believes is important.
"It's a cost to do that, but I'd sooner do that and accept unwanted animals than see them dumped on the side of the road," Darren said.
When it comes to problem areas in Parkes, Darren nominated Thornbury Street, which is in East Parkes - and there are a few residents in the area that have been struggling to deal with feral and domestic cats.
A resident in Orange Street that lives next to a house with up to 20 domestic cats, reports that the cats have been seen killing native birds and often accosting the resident's dogs.
Recently both dogs had to receive veterinary treatment for infections - not a cheap expense - after one of the cats chased after them while they were in their own secure, fenced yard, leaving both with deep cuts that subequently got infected.
This is after a year in which many of the cats have been stuck up a jacaranda tree in the yard week after week, with the owner not responding to the resident's concerns or Council involvement that the cats are continually putting themselves, and other animals, in harm's way.
A sadder tale was told by a resident in Thornbury Street, whose dog has killed multiple wandering cats that find their way into his secure yard at night.
He has come to the conclusion he may need to surrender the dog - yet it is the natural instinct of the dog to protect itself and the property from an feline intruder.
These cats have also been reported by many to use preschool sandpits as litterboxes at night, exposing children to disease.
A federal parliamentary inquiry earlier this year found pet cats collectively slaughter some one million animals per day across Australia - a horrific statistic.
The RSPCA suggests to owners that containing a cat; confining them entirely indoors or a combination of inside and a secure outdoor enclosure (like a cat run), keeps your cat safer than letting them roam - especially at night.
They advise that roaming cats are at risk of attack themselves (or attacking native or domestic wildlife), diseases, ticks, motor accidents, eating toxic plants or poisons and being stolen or abused.
There are no winners in these stories.
The cats are victims of irresponsible owners, native wildlife and domestic animals are being injured or killed and the comfort of many residents is compromised.
To the many, many cat and dog owners who are responsible pet owners, well done.
To the few who aren't - do better.
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