Regional wildlife carers in Western Australia say thousands of native animals will die waiting for the state government to amend legislation that hamstrings councils from enforcing cat containment laws.

Under present legislation, local governments can prohibit cats from specific public places, address nuisance behaviour, and enforce sterilisation, microchipping and registration.

However, they do not have the power to adopt additional cat control measures like fining owners who allow their cats to roam.

A 2023 study by the Biodiversity Council found roaming pet cats killed 323 million native mammals, birds and reptiles in Australia each year.

GeoBay Wildlife Rescue owner Jo Harrison-Ward has about 15 critically endangered western ringtail possums in her care, which she said was indicati

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