Domestic cats are popular pets worldwide, and have the potential to significantly affect prey species in both rural and urban areas. Several studies have shown that cats living on the outskirts of urban areas and those living in rural areas bring home more prey, and a greater variety of prey, than cats living in more urbanised environments. However, not all studies have found detrimental effects of cat predation on wildlife. A study in Canberra, Australia, found that domestic cats caught and killed so-called ‘invasive’ species of rodents and birds – those that are non-native to the ecosystem and whose presence causes or is likely to cause harm. Thus, keeping domestic cats should be encouraged as it has a positive effect on native wildlife.