Project snapshot: 

Empowering individuals – How one person’s actions can help the environment

Showcasing one persons efforts to control feral cat impacts in their area:

In the face of Australia’s ongoing battle with the impacts of invasive predators, the actions of individuals can have a profound effect on local ecosystems. While government programs and community groups play critical roles in controlling feral cats and foxes, it’s important to recognise that meaningful change often begins at home. You don’t need to be an expert in conservation to make a difference – small, consistent efforts on your own property can contribute to protecting native wildlife and restoring biodiversity.

Take the example of Lisette Mill, a conservationist and pest controller in southwest Victoria, who has turned the rural property where her family lives into a haven for native species by managing feral cats. Her efforts began simply: setting cage traps for wandering cats that arrived in the garden and carefully monitoring the results. Over time, trapping cats has led to the return of native bush rats and stubble quail, and an increased number of resident native birds and lizards.

Lisette’s approach begins with humane trapping. She uses cage traps which are carefully placed and monitored, ensuring that any captured animal is handled responsibly. Lisette has approached and built a positive relationship with her local council as they collect the trapped cats. Under Victorian legislation, once a cat is caught, it has to be handed over to local council authorities, who check for a microchip and assess behaviour to determine if it is a pet or a feral. In cases where the cat is deemed feral, it is humanely euthanased, removing it from the local ecosystem. In 2024 alone, Lisette has trapped 14 cats within 50m of the house, 13 of which were confirmed feral. These numbers represent tangible progress in reducing the pressure on native wildlife in her local area. The fact that new cats keep replacing those Lisette removes should stand as a wakeup call regarding the number of feral cats in farming areas.

A feral cat investigates a trap on Lisette’s patio. Photo: Lisette Mill.

The impact of her efforts is evident in the resurgence of native species. For the first time in years, native bush rats have reclaimed their territories, actively defending them against introduced black rats. This has allowed the native species to thrive while naturally controlling invasive rodents without the need for rodenticides. Native species have begun behaving more confidently. Birdlife is calmer and bolder. Lisette no longer uses pesticides in her garden – birds and lizards keep the pests in check. No black rats or mice have been recorded around the house and sheds since August – they’ve been ejected by the bush rats and antechinus. Nocturnal mammals such as sugar-gliders regularly wander the garden hunting insects – one has even been captured on camera trying to take meat from one of the cat traps. This behaviour indicates a significant shift in the local ecosystem, as sugar gliders typically avoid coming down out of the safety of trees where feral cats roam, due to their vulnerability to predation.
 
Lisette is also a strong advocate for individual action; for doing what you can do to help the bigger picture. Every feral cat removed from an ecosystem and every wandering cat kept at home reduces the predatory pressure on native species, giving them a chance to recover. While large-scale programs may be the most impactful way for feral cats to be managed, they are not a panacea; the reality is that due to funding or practical considerations, large-scale programs can’t reach every corner of the country. However, Lisette firmly believes that with the right tools and knowledge, anyone can contribute to feral cat management. Small, localised efforts can add up to significant benefits on a broader scale.

Taking the first steps and gaining confidence

While the results are rewarding, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges. Managing feral cats requires time, patience, and dedication. It’s not an easy task, particularly in rural areas where cats often go unnoticed until their impacts are made visible.

For those who want to contribute, but aren’t sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available to guide you. Local councils sometimes provide humane cage traps for loan or purchase. They can advise you on legal requirements and best practices for trapping and handling nuisance and feral cats. Conservation groups and organisations like NRM and Landcare may offer workshops and online materials to help you learn the basics of predator control and monitoring.

Tools like motion sensing trail cameras can also be invaluable. These devices allow you to observe the wildlife on your property, track the presence of invasive species, and measure the impact of your efforts. Many conservationists, including Lisette, have used cameras not only to monitor progress but also to reconnect with the biodiversity that exists in their own backyards.

Trail cameras are an invaluable tool for monitoring in invasive species management programs. Photo: Lisette Mill.

A sugar glider eats meat in a cat trap. Photo: Lisette Mill.

Simple steps like setting traps, protecting your own pets by keeping them safely contained, removing invasive plants from your property, and providing wildlife habitat can all contribute to creating a safer environment for native species. The key is to start small and stay consistent. Begin by learning about the specific challenges in your area and focusing on manageable actions. Over time, you may find opportunities to do more.

Lisette’s practical advice for managing feral cats

• Confine your own cats: Keeping pet cats indoors or within enclosed outdoor spaces is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect wildlife. Lisette’s own cats live happily indoors, and she recommends solutions like “catios” or enclosed runs for those who want their pets to enjoy the outdoors safely. Ensure all cats, even “shed cats”, are de-sexed and vaccinated. Toxoplasmosis is carried and spread by cats and has real economic costs to farms and farmers as well as human health.
• Humane trapping: Many local councils offer cage traps for loan, or approved traps can be purchased online. Lisette stresses the importance of using humane traps and treating captured cats or other animals with care, ensuring they are sheltered from weather and not harassed by other animals.
• Monitor results: Setting up trail cameras can provide valuable insights into local wildlife activity. Lisette uses motion cameras to track the return of native species and identify the presence of any remaining or reinvading invasive predators. This can help in determining when she needs to reset her traps, saving her time and effort by not keeping them set all the time. This data is crucial for assessing the success of management efforts.
• Engage with community resources: Reach out to local councils, Landcare groups, regional and local NRM groups, agencies, or conservation organisations for support and advice. These groups often have resources and programs to assist with feral cat management.
• Help shift perspectives on feral cat management: Conversations about cat control can be difficult, especially for those who see cats primarily as pets or rodent controllers. However, sharing positive outcomes—such as the return of native species—can inspire more people to take action. One of the key messages is that feral cat management isn’t about hating cats—it’s about protecting Australia’s unique wildlife. By highlighting the tangible benefits of controlling feral cat populations, we can build a broader understanding of the issue and encourage more individuals to get involved.

A feral cat caught on Lisette’s property in November 2024 – the 13th feral cat that year. Photo: Lisette Mill.

The efforts of people like Lisette demonstrate that while large-scale programs and government initiatives are essential, individual actions can make a profound difference. Lisette’s work is a powerful reminder that anyone, regardless of resources or expertise, can play a role in supressing cat impacts on their local environment.

The more people taking action, the better the results. Maybe, by starting feral cat (and fox management) on your own property and getting positive results, your neighbours might also want to get involved. If not that may be OK for the time being; not everyone will. But be assured, what you do will help reduce the frequency of unmanaged cat damage to native species. Overtime, there might be a network of landholders undertaking control over a broader area.

Individual action is not about being perfect or doing everything at once; it’s about starting somewhere. Whether you’re setting your first trap, planting native species, or building a Bandicoot Motel, every step you take helps create a better future for Australia’s unique ecosystems. The tools, resources, and knowledge are out there — you just have to take the first step.

We would like to acknowledge Lisette’s help in putting this snapshot together. You can find more of Lisette Mill’s work at the following links [1, 2, 3, 4], or reach out to her at biodiversityinnovationau@gmail.com.

This project snapshot initially appeared in the November 2024 issue of the National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordination Program Newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, click here or fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

 Banner photo: Lisette Mill.

Other Resources

Click here to find out more about FeralScan a free community-designed website and smartphone app that allows you to record observations and evidence of introduced pest animals (such as foxes and feral cats), the damage they cause (including predation of native wildlife or lambs), and control actions in your local area (such as baiting, trapping and shooting).

The PestSmart Toolkits provide further information about how to plan, manage and improve your feral cat or fox management program.

The CISS Glovebox Guides, Planning Guides and Field Guides are useful pdf or printed booklets for managing pest animals like feral cats and foxes, developing a simple feral cat or fox management plan or undertaking a best practice baiting program.