PDC Submission re Cats

1. Thanks for generous support both financially and showing faith in us when on MDC land.

2. Currently12 Councils across the country have by-laws in place regarding regulation of domestic cats and others eg. Nelson Tasman are currently considering one.

3. The current Government has stalled on implementing a national cat policy but is looking at legislation to make microchipping a requirement. If this passes it will be a step in the right direction but more is needed to protect our native wildlife.

4. As the work of conservation continues in Marlborough the rat and mice numbers are decreasing so reducing the food source for feral cats who then have to turn on the birds and lizards etc.

5. As MDC has provided us with funds on several occasions but financial support cannot be used efficiently without our ability to target feral cats. In order to protect domestic cats near habitation we and the public need to be assured we are not catching domestic cats.

Requiring all domestic cats to be microchipped would enable us to safely target feral cats.

6. 66% of the population now back microchipping, desexing and registration of domestic cats and this number will grow with more information and education.

7. There would be no more unwanted kittens dumped, becoming feral and breeding more ferals in the bush. As a predator they will be forced to turn even more to our birds, lizards etc for food as conservation groups reduce the rats and mice, a current food source for feral cats. This would help the conservation groups in Marlborough to continue to aim for the goal of Pest Free 2050.

8. We would like this Council to adopt a by-law to microchip, neuter and register all domestic cats.

1. Thanks for generous support both financially and showing faith in us when on MDC land.

2. Currently12 Councils across the country have by-laws in place regarding regulation of domestic cats and others eg. Nelson Tasman are currently considering one.

3. The current Government has stalled on implementing a national cat policy but is looking at legislation to make microchipping a requirement. If this passes it will be a step in the right direction but more is needed to protect our native wildlife.

4. As the work of conservation continues in Marlborough the rat and mice numbers are decreasing so reducing the food source for feral cats who then have to turn on the birds and lizards etc.

5. As MDC has provided us with funds on several occasions but financial support cannot be used efficiently without our ability to target feral cats. In order to protect domestic cats near habitation we and the public need to be assured we are not catching domestic cats.

Requiring all domestic cats to be microchipped would enable us to safely target feral cats.

6. 66% of the population now back microchipping, desexing and registration of domestic cats and this number will grow with more information and education.

7. There would be no more unwanted kittens dumped, becoming feral and breeding more ferals in the bush. As a predator they will be forced to turn even more to our birds, lizards etc for food as conservation groups reduce the rats and mice, a current food source for feral cats. This would help the conservation groups in Marlborough to continue to aim for the goal of Pest Free 2050.

8. We would like this Council to adopt a by-law to microchip, neuter and register all domestic cats.