Tararua District residents may soon face new regulations under a proposed bylaw aimed at addressing the growing issue of stray and unmanaged cats. The “Keeping of Animals” bylaw, if approved, would enforce several key provisions affecting cat ownership across both rural and urban properties.
One of the primary requirements under the proposed bylaw is the limitation of no more than three cats per property, unless special approval is granted by the council. Additionally, all cats would need to be microchipped and desexed, measures intended to curb the increasing population of stray cats which have been the subject of numerous complaints to the council’s Animal Control team.
A council spokesperson emphasized the necessity of these measures to manage the impact of cats on local wildlife, citing concerns over their predation on native birds, kiwi, lizards, and other vulnerable species. Exemptions from these regulations would apply to catteries or cat boarding premises.
While vaccination requirements are not included in the proposed bylaw, the council plans to scan cats for microchips and ensure they are desexed, emphasizing the reproductive capacity of cats and the need for population control.
Furthermore, the bylaw proposes mandatory registration of cats’ microchips with the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, a move aimed at improving management of the cat population and promoting responsible pet ownership.
The council spokesperson clarified that the bylaw would not retroactively apply to existing cat owners regarding the number of cats owned, but enforcement would focus on addressing nuisance issues such as noise and odor caused by cats.
Public consultation on the proposed bylaw is currently open, with residents invited to submit their feedback until July 31st. The council intends to monitor compliance with the bylaw’s provisions to uphold community well-being while addressing concerns related to cat management in the district.
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