Australia has a complex and emotional history with cats, oscillating between adoration and vilification. Dr Jodie Stewart, historian and author of The Cats of Australia, traces this relationship from the 19th century to the present day, highlighting how cats have been both cherished companions and scapegoats for environmental concerns.
The Rise of the Pedigree Cat
In 1872, Melbourne hosted its first cat show, just one year after London's Crystal Palace debut. By 1885, a writer in the Victorian Almanac noted that while cats were seldom treated well, appreciation was growing. British colonial newspapers reported on 'the cult of the cat,' transforming the humble moggie from a back-alley scavenger into a fashionable commodity. Cat breeding became lucrative, with Persians selling for hefty sums and 'pages of cat business' filling newspapers.
This zeal reached Australia. One of the first catteries, Waratah Catteries, opened in Victoria's Christmas Hills in 1897, inspired by reports that breeders could earn upwards of £700 a year. Soon, Australian newspapers ran 'cat chat' columns.
From Hero to Villain
In the late 19th century, hundreds of domestic cats were released on pastoral runs to control wild rabbits. But by 1905, ornithologist AJ Campbell declared wild cats an evil. Stray cat numbers rose in cities, and organisations like the Victorian Cat Protection Society (established 1947) provided food and care. Paradoxically, cat obsession continued: shows, boarding, and breeding grew, becoming a career for women in the 1930s and 40s. In 1971, Australia gained its first feline hero when Stephen Murray-Smith discovered Matthew Flinders' tribute to his cat Trim in London.
By 1988, there were over 3 million domestic cats in Australia. But the 1990s brought change: councils proposed curfews, containment, mandatory desexing, and caps on cats per household due to predation concerns. Debates divided the nation between cat lovers and conservationists, continuing into the new century.
Cats and Australian Identity
Today, some call for banning cats, while others defend them fiercely. Dr Stewart argues that cats have shaped Australia for over two centuries, from farms to ships to wars. She urges embracing them as a vital part of the national identity, especially as more Australians choose feline companions.
