RSPCA gets claws into NSW cat conundrum

NSW is stepping up the fight to protect native wildlife and has killer cats in its sights, urging owners to keep their felines at home.

Environment Minister James Griffin said that nationally domestic cats kill about 390 million animals every year, targeting everything from mammals and reptiles to birds.

"Owners who let their cats roam might not think their moggie is doing much damage, but we know that on average, each roaming pet cat kills 186 reptiles, birds and mammals per year in Australia," Mr Griffin said.

"Cats roaming away from home is disastrous for our native species and the ecosystems that rely on each species' existence."

In a bid to limit the carnage, the NSW government has awarded a $2.5 million grant from its environmental trust to RSPCA NSW for the Keeping Cats Safe at Home project.

Local Government Minister Wendy Tuckerman said the project was partnering up with 11 councils across the state, from Byron to the Blue Mountains, to educate and help people contain their cats.

"Crucially, the project will ... improve access to free desexing and microchipping for cat owners in target areas to address cat overpopulation, shown to be highly effective in curbing the stray population," she said.

Steve Coleman, chief executive of RSPCA NSW, said the project's initial research showed the owners of Australia's approximately 3.8 million cats are starting to understand the importance of keeping their furry friends at home.

"Although our surveys have found that at least 50 per cent of people contain their cats ... it's vital that we continue to increase this figure and improve the lives of our pets and our wildlife," he said.