Domestic cat by-law

Domestic cat by-law

There are several environmental groups in Marlborough with many volunteers working to reduce predators in order to protect our native species.

Currently domestic cats are not covered by any laws or restrictions but are able to roam where they will. 

Many unwanted kittens end up at SPCA or are abandoned and end up, if they survive, as feral cats.

The Government has now added Feral cats to the Predator Free 2050 list. This means that the conservation groups will now be targeting Feral cats to enhance the current predator control. In order for these groups to work near urban areas they need to be confident they are not catching domestic cats.

In order to achieve this cats need to be chipped so they can be identified, they need to be registered so their owner can be found, and they need to be neutered to limit the number of unwanted cats.

Many Councils around the country have enacted cat bylaws, Marlborough Council should follow their lead.

Will help local Marlborough environment groups control feral cats.