Create a Cat Bylaw

MDC should create a cat management bylaw in alignment with the bylaws that Nelson and Tasman councils have consulted on and received overwhelming support for. Tasman and Nelson cat bylaws will likely be in place by the end of 2024. 
These bylaws require cats to be desexed, microchipped and registered.

There are four main reasons a cat bylaw is important. 

1. Feral cats have a big impact upon our native wildlife, killing birds and lizards. Desexing will reduce the number of cats becoming feral through the dumping of unwanted litters.

2. Microchipping would enable community trapping groups who use live capture traps to determine whether a cat was owned or feral.

3. Cats carry toxoplasmosis which is harmful to livestock, dolphins and people. Reducing the number of feral cats will reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis.

4. A cat bylaw will help shape public attitudes toward more environmentally responsible cat ownership. 

Public attitudes around cat management have shifted in recent years. Last year Predator Free commissioned a survey that found that a majority of New Zealanders supported better cat management. Predator Free New Zealand is currently reviewing whether feral cats should be included in the Predator Free 2050 target.

Last year the Environment Committee of Parliament recommended the creation of a National Cat Act. It is not an immediate priority for the current government at present but seems likely by the end of the decade. Creating a cat bylaw would provide protections now.