The Cats of Australia: Unearthing a National Identity
From Matthew Flinders’ Trim to modern conservation debates, the relationship between Australians and cats is complex, contentious, and deeply embedded in the nation’s history.
Historian Dr Jodie Stewart’s new book, The Cats of Australia, published by HarperCollins at $36.99, examines the evolving relationship between Australians and felines. The work traces the animal’s role from colonial companions and rabbit controllers to modern ecological controversies, arguing for their recognition as a vital part of the national identity. Stewart highlights the shift from early 20th-century adoration to recent debates over domestic cat management, challenging the notion that cats are un-Australian.
The narrative begins with the colonial era, where cats were often poorly treated yet increasingly appreciated. By 1885, a cult of the cat was emerging among upper- and middle-class Australians, mirroring British trends. This fascination led to the opening of Waratah Catteries in Victoria’s Christmas Hills in 1897, one of the country’s first catteries, inspired by the lucrative breeding market. The demand for pedigree cats became a significant economic driver, with newspapers regularly featuring cat business columns and breeders earning substantial sums.
As cat numbers rose, their role shifted from cherished pets to working animals on pastoral runs. Hundreds of domestic cats were released to control wild rabbits, but by 1905, ornithologist AJ Campbell declared wild cats an evil that needed removal. In cities, stray cat numbers also surged, prompting the establishment of the Victorian Cat Protection Society in 1947 to address the growing problem of unhomed felines in Melbourne.
A pivotal moment in Australian feline history occurred in 1971, when Stephen Murray-Smith discovered Matthew Flinders’ heartfelt tribute to his pet Trim at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London. This discovery provided Australia with its first feline hero, cementing the cat’s place in historical memory. By 1988, the domestic cat population in Australia had exceeded 3 million, reflecting a deep-seated cultural attachment despite the animals' controversial status.
The 1990s marked a turning point as concerns about native species decline led city and municipal councils to propose strict domestic cat management bylaws. These measures included curfews, containment requirements, mandatory desexing, and caps on the number of cats per household. The debates that followed divided the nation between cat lovers and conservationists, a tension that persists today.
Stewart argues that cats have been active participants in Australia’s story, present in homes, farms, ships, hospitals, and theatres of war. Despite this long and interconnected history, cats are often excluded from the national narrative. The book calls for a recognition of cats as a complex but integral part of Australian identity, urging society to embrace their role rather than marginalise them.
The Cats of Australia offers a nuanced exploration of a love-hate relationship that has shaped the country for more than two centuries. Stewart’s work suggests that acknowledging this history is essential for understanding the current ecological and cultural debates surrounding cat ownership in Australia.