Alexandra Park Zoo is proud to support Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife - a national initiative led by the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) and RSPCA Australia.
This behaviour change campaign encourages cat owners to support safe, enriching home environments for their pets, helping protect both feline wellbeing and Australia’s native wildlife.
It’s a win-win: cats kept safely at home live longer, healthier lives (up to four times longer than those allowed to roam!) and local wildlife is spared from the impacts of roaming predators.
At Alexandra Park Zoo, we believe that cats and wildlife both deserve protection. By making small changes - like keeping cats indoors or building a secure outdoor enclosure - you can make a measurable difference to your pet’s safety and the survival of native species.
Supporting indoor cat enrichment
Cats can thrive indoors with the right stimulation and care. You can keep your cat active and engaged with:
- Puzzle feeders and scavenger hunts
- Climbing shelves and interactive toys
- Outdoor enclosures like cat-runs or “catios”
These additions help your cat stay curious, healthy and safe while reducing risks to wildlife. Even small steps like keeping your cat indoors can reduce hunting behaviour and give native animals a better chance to thrive.
Why it matters
Roaming cats face serious dangers including:
- Road accidents
- Infectious diseases
- Fights with other animals
- Unplanned pregnancies
- Harsh weather
- Getting lost or stolen
By choosing a safe, home-based lifestyle for your cat you’re protecting them from harm and helping preserve local biodiversity.
Fast facts
- Nearly half of Australia’s threatened native wildlife species live in towns and cities
- Keeping cats safe at home helps protect wildlife in your neighbourhood and on bushwalks
- Even if you don’t own a cat, you can support the initiative by sharing the message with friends and family
Our commitment
Alexandra Park Zoo cares deeply about the welfare of all animals - wild and domestic - and our team is committed to sharing knowledge about responsible pet ownership and wildlife protection.
Where relevant, our keepers will incorporate Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife messaging into their daily talks, helping visitors understand the connection between pet care and conservation.
We’re here to support cat owners in making the transition to safe, enriched indoor living. With the right tools and encouragement, your cat can enjoy a longer life with fewer vet visits and more peace of mind.
Together, we can protect native wildlife one safe cat at a time.
Learn how to keep your cat happy and healthy while also helping to protect our native wildlife by joining the safe cat community:
Cotton-top Tamarins, Saguinus Oedipus are among the most endangered primates in the world. Named for the white hair that sits on top of their heads and flows down past their neck, these tiny monkeys are only found in north-western Colombia and face destruction of their habitat for cattle ranching, agriculture and urban development.
With only 7,500 cotton-tops remaining in the wild, the Alexandra Park Zoo is playing an important role in the conservation of this species by taking part in the Australasian Species Management Program (ASMP) run by the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA).
Through educational talks to schools and community groups and collection of data about the species, the Alexandra Park Zoo regularly contributes to international discussions and recovery projects surrounding this species.
Come to the Alexandra Park Zoo and see why these monkeys have been named the cutest in South America!
