Reports earlier this week suggested the island was close to banning the ownership of cats in a bid to reduce the region’s feral population.

The idea was also discussed a Tamar Natural Resource Management feral cat forum in Launceston this week.

Kingborough Council cat management officer Kaylene Allan said while some Bruny Island residents would like to see cats outlawed, many residents did not share that view.

The council has also assured cat owners that they will not have their beloved pets taken from them.

‘‘We are looking at the possibility of bylaws and they will be shaped on discussions with the community,’’ Ms Allan said.

‘‘Decisions made would be a reflection of what the community as a whole wanted.’’

Kingborough Council has been working towards a cat management strategy in recent years.

The aim is to explore ways to control and reduce the number of feral cats on Bruny Island, which have wreaked havoc on agriculture.

Ms Allan said while there was some hope that feral cats may one day be eradicated from the island, the council accepted that dream may not be a reality.

‘‘Eradication is a possible long-term goal, but we know that would take a very long time and would be very costly.’’

A draft Bruny Island cat management plan is due to be released at the end of the month.