The Keeping Cats Safe at Home project aims to encourage and empower cat carers to keep their cats indoors to keep them safe from threats to their health and to protect our native wildlife.Â
In only three-years of the project, we’ve developed feline management toolkits with 11 council areas, along with educational resources promoting cat safety and enrichment. If you’re looking to find out more about Keeping Cats Safe at Home, get in touch with our team via email at safecats@rspcansw.org.au. Â
You can find out how we’ve promoted the safety of our cats and wildlife animals by downloading and reading our latest impact report.
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Keeping Cats Safe at Home is a ground-breaking RSPCA NSW project running over four years. The project will work with 11 councils across NSW to provide cat lovers with the inspiration, motivation and information needed to…
Keeping Cats Safe at Home is based on extensive social science research and includes a very exciting cat and wildlife ecology research project. We are very fortunate to be working with amazing research scientists…
We are delighted to welcome you to our dedicated education page, designed to empower children with the knowledge and skills to become…
No matter your situation, there are many practical and affordable ways you can encourage you cat to stay indoors.Â
While it’s easier to keeping a new feline friend indoors, any cat can transition to an at-home lifestyle with enough planning, patience, and in-house preparation. There are three main ways to keep your cat safe and enriched at home:Â
Keeping your cat exclusively indoors is often the easiest and cheapest option. Even a small home can be fun and interesting for your cat by making the most of vertical space and offering opportunities to interact and play.
You can provide for all your cat’s needs within your home, including different areas for eating and drinking, sleeping, hiding, toileting, scratching, and playing.
You can create different levels for your cat using furniture, shelving, and scratching posts. If you install cat-proof fly screens, windows and doors can be opened for your cat to safely enjoy outdoor sights, smells and sounds without escaping.
Providing a secure outdoor enclosure is a great way of keeping your cat happy and safe at home. Either using a window, cat flap, or another accessible opening, you can grant your cat access to an enclosure (otherwise known as a catio), allowing your feline friend to choose where they want to spend their time.
An escape-proof balcony or veranda is a great option if you’re looking for a space to convert. If you have the space, you also could build a free-standing enclosure or cat condo to give your pet an attractive and comfortable place to relax.
Every enclosure should include essential resources like food, water, a litter tray, a range of platforms at different heights, scratching posts, and adequate protection from the weather. Any type of outdoor enclosure needs to be escape-proof and secure, able to not only prevent your cat from getting out, but also able to prevent other animals from getting in.
It is also recommended to keep bird feeding stations away from the enclosure, as spotting birds but not being able to get to them can be very frustrating for your cat.Â
There are many ways to modify your property to accommodate for your cat. You can either upgrade existing fences to prevent your cat from climbing over or set up a new solid fence, complete with netting to prevent escape.Â
While you still need to take steps to reduce risks that your cat might face in your backyard, escape-proof fencing allows your cat the best of indoor and outdoor living.Â
Regularly check for potential escape routes (e.g., gaps in the fence, around gates, where fences meet buildings, overhanging trees) and minimising wildlife attractants like certain plants, as well as food or water sources that may attract wildlife and, by extension, your feline friend.
Life is better with a cat, and there’s nothing better when they’re safe at home, living their best and healthiest lives. That’s why it is important to provide them with a secure and enriching indoor environment. By taking preventative steps to protect your cat and provide them with a stimulating home, you’re helping ensure the health and wellbeing of both your cat and the natural environment.Â
Whether you’re caring for a dutiful dog or an independent cat, it’s important to use different types of enrichment to engage your pet’s natural instincts and stimulate their body and mind. The benefits of enrichment can be surprisingly far-reaching, from reductions in stress and anxiety, to reducing the risk of behavioural issues. 
RSPCA NSW rehomes a range of different animals, from dogs, cats, and birds to horses, rabbits, and sheep! We believe that all creatures, great and small, can bring joy to our families and homes. Begin your adoption journey today and make an adorable lifelong friend!
By providing temporary homes for our animals, we can ensure they get the care they need until they are ready to be adopted. Join our network of foster carers for an incredibly rewarding experience; with your help, we can change the lives of some of the state’s most vulnerable animals.
We rely on our generous supporters to continue assisting the thousands of animals turning to RSPCA NSW for help. No matter how small your contribution, every gift makes a lifesaving difference for animals in need.
By raising funds and lending a hand to communities and their pets, our volunteers play a pivotal role in our work throughout NSW. If you have a genuine concern for animals and enjoy meeting like-minded people, consider becoming an RSPCA NSW volunteer today!
We promise to uphold the highest ethical standards. Your personal information has never been, and never will be sold or traded to other charities. This is our promise to you.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work. We recognise and respect the enduring relationship they have with their lands and waterways, and particularly acknowledge the vital role animals have played in Indigenous life, stories and culture for tens of thousands of years.
The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
