Horrified feline lovers and the Wisconsin Humane Society are encouraging opponents of the plan to attend the hearings, gatherings that have traditionally been dominated by hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.

The proposal - to classify feral cats as an unprotected species - would still need approval from the State Natural Resources Board and Wisconsin lawmakers. A small-game licence might be needed to kill a cat, depending on whether they are deemed wild animals or a public nuisance.


A wild or feral cat is typically defined as one with no collar that does not show friendly behaviour. Wildlife officials say studies suggest they kill millions of songbirds in Wisconsin each year.

For some, the elimination of such cats has long been considered part of the “sportsman’s code”, a way to protect game birds. Many farmers and rural residents also routinely kill the animals. But shooting a cat is technically illegal in Wisconsin, even if it is harming livestock.