Researchers and farmers are calling for tax reductions for working cats, highlighting their valuable role in controlling rodent populations on farms.

Many farmers use cats as a highly cost-effective method for pest management, according to a recent research project examining the benefits of working cats to agricultural operations.

Inspired by the popular TV show Muster Dogs, which increased recognition of working dogs, researchers argue that working cats deserve similar attention. The study involved interviews with 15 dairy farmers in New South Wales and Queensland and included a free sterilisation program for their cats.

Co-author Olivia Forge noted that dairy farmers in the Bega Valley experienced higher productivity thanks to the contributions of working cats. She emphasized that cats play a critical role in rodent control, improving farm efficiency.

The researchers ultimately recommended that working animals — including cats, dogs, and horses — be made eligible for tax reductions to acknowledge their contributions to farming operations.