Local cat centres are urgently asking for community assistance, to help manage the rise in cats and kittens.
Why this matters to Tassie cat owners
Kitten season usually means:
an increase in stray and abandoned kittens found outdoors
more unplanned litters
additional desexing and rehoming pressure on shelters
higher risk of sick kittens in the community needing urgent care
What you can do as a Tasmanian cat owner (even if you can’t foster)
- Desex your cat and encourage others to do the same. One of the biggest ways to reduce shelter intake long-term is desexing, especially before cats can breed.
- Keep your cat contained, especially at night. Keeping cats indoors or in a safe outdoor enclosure helps prevent: roaming and breeding, injuries and disease exposure and contributing to unwanted litters.
- Consider fostering - short-term help makes a big difference. Local cat centres have said they need more foster carers right now, especially during peak season. Fostering can mean caring for kittens until they’re old enough for adoption.
- Volunteer if you have a few hours to spare. Local cat shelters are calling for volunteers, including for animal care and customer service support. If you can lend a helping hand, then this might be an opportunity that interests you.
- Adopt if you’re ready and your home is suitable. If you’ve been thinking about getting a cat, adopting from a shelter helps free up space for the next arrivals.
- If you find kittens, don’t panic - but don’t “cat-nap” either. If you spot kittens outside: watch first to see if mum returns or if they’re cold, injured, or in danger and contact a shelter/rescue ASAP.
Kitten season affects all cat owners, and small choices (desexing, containment, fostering and volunteering) comes with added pressures and costly responsibilities. These responsibilities are expected of pet parents and pet insurance can help with the unexpected costs.
Pet insurance with RACT together with petinsurance.com.au can help to cover unexpected vet bills* so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying life with your best friend.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about owning a cat but it’s about them being part of your family.
Petinsurance.com.au policies entered into for the first time on or after 7 November 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s Authorised Representatives (AR) Pet Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 38 607 160 930, AR 1234944 (PIPL) and The Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania Limited ABN 62 009 475 861, AR 228578. Petinsurance.com.au policies entered into for the first time prior to 7 November 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436, arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by PIPL. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at petinsurance.com.au.
*Policy terms and conditions, limits, waiting periods, exclusions and excesses apply.
**This offer only applies to RACT members who purchase a new RACT together with Petinsurance.com.au Pet Insurance policy between 12:01am AEST on 1 September 2025 and 11:59pm AEST on 1 July 2026 (Offer Period). Offer provides RACT members with a 10% discount on their new RACT together with Petinsurance.com.au Pet Insurance Policy premiums each year, whilst the policy remains in force, with all premiums paid in full, and while you remain a RACT Member (Member Offer). For instalment payers, the Offer is applied proportionately across all instalment payments during each year you remain eligible for the Member Discount. For annual payers, the Offer is applied automatically to your annual premium amount each policy year that you remain eligible for the Member Discount. This Offer will also provide RACT members with 1 month free in their first policy year only when they purchase a new RACT together with Petinsurance.com.au Pet Insurance Policy during the Offer Period (1-Month Free Offer). Instalment payers will not be charged an instalment for the first month and instalments will be charged from the second month of your policy period. Annual payers will have the 1 month free deducted from the annual premium at the time of purchase. To enjoy the Member Offer and 1-Month Free Offer, you must provide the promotional code RACTMEM1MF10 and a valid RACT Member number at the time of purchase. Customers can remove this Offer at the time of purchase. Not available with any other offer except for the multi-pet discount for additional pets. Excludes RACT staff members. Both the Member Offer and the 1-Month Free Offer are subject to RACT together with Petinsurance.com.au Pet Insurance Policy T&C’s available https://www.ract.com.au/insurance-and-finance/pet-insurance . Eligibility criteria applies, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement. RACT together with Petinsurance.com.au reserves the right to withdraw, vary or extend these Offer’s at any time, without notice.