Auckland’s plan to go to war with feral cats

Auckland cat lovers would need to de-sex and micro-chip their pets if the council opts for stricter rules under a proposed environmental plan.

Residents are being asked for their views as Auckland Council looks at ways to reduce the number of feral cats preying on native wildlife.

Carl Morgan, Regional Conservation Manager for the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, says cats should be de-sexed, micro-chipped, and possibly kept at home to protect native wildlife from extinction.

Carl Morgan, Regional Conservation Manager for the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society stresses that microchipping primarily helps return cats to their owners, which is a reactive solution, not a preventive one. Photo / Eastlife

Morgan says feral cats kill millions of birds each year.

This highlights the urgent need for Aucklanders to help shape a 10-year regional plan for cat management to safeguard native wildlife.

"They're [Auckland Council] consulting on pretty much every option possible.

"One of them is the de-sexing of cats or sterilisation; that's essentially a rule mandating all domestic cats be de-sexed," he says.

“This would significantly reduce the feral and stray population by preventing inter-household breeding and stopping domesticated cats from breeding with feral cats.

"This will stop creating unwanted kittens everywhere, which will grow up to be predators impacting our native wildlife."

Another key proposal is that all cats and pets should be microchipped and registered.

"If cats go missing or are found by others, they can be taken to vet centres or the SPCA, where they can be identified and re-homed, or their owners contacted."

While traps for stray and feral cats are being rolled out, domestic cats sometimes get caught.

Auckland Council is looking at ways to reduce the number of feral cats preying on native wildlife. Photo / DOC (single use only)

“These traps are usually set in areas of high biodiversity value where there are many native birds, and people are conducting predator control work for possums, rats, stoats, and other predators.

“If a cat’s microchipped, it can be scanned and released."

The Far North is also set to debate changes in animal regulations, with a proposed bylaw that would require all cats over the age of four months to be both microchipped and desexed.

The new rules, if adopted, would be the first animal regulations in the district since 2019, when the previous bylaw lapsed.

As a result, pet management has become an increasing challenge, especially for cats, which are not covered by any current regulations.

While the Far North bylaw would regulate desexing, there would be no limit on the number of cats per household.

The bylaw also proposes restrictions on other animals, including bans on roosters and pigs in urban areas.

Morgan says Auckland's controversial proposal, under consultation, which wouldn’t take effect until 2030, is keeping cats indoors.

"It would be quite an adjustment for many cat owners," he says.

"This would be the first time in the country that such a rule might be introduced. Cats would have to be kept within their owners' properties, likely indoors, which would be a significant change to how cats are currently kept.

Carl Morgan says keeping cats indoors is the best way to protect wildlife and native birds as they naturally are predatory animals. Photo / PMN News

Keeping cats indoors prevents them from raiding bird nesting areas, Morgan says.

"All it takes is for one night your cat to climb up that tree, eat the chicks, or disturb the nest, and it's all over."

Aucklanders are being urged to share their views on how to protect the city’s natural environment including wildlife.

Dr Imogen Bassett, head of Natural Environment Specialist Services at Auckland Council, says they are focused on understanding Aucklanders' views on managing cats.

"We know there is significant concern about the impacts of both owned and unowned cats on wildlife," she says.

"We also recognise that responsible pet ownership, such as de-sexing, can help protect the wildlife. It’s a win-win."

Bassett says the council has partnered with the SPCA to offer free microchipping, registration, and de-sexing services for cats in areas with vulnerable species, like dotterels.

‘“We know cost is a barrier to de-sexing, so we’re exploring options for additional support in at-risk communities or a regulatory approach to encourage responsible ownership.

"Unowned cats may hunt more due to a lack of food, but even well-fed owned cats still hunt. With more owned cats than unowned, the combined effect on native wildlife is significant. Responsible ownership is key to reducing this impact."

Pet owners are encouraged to give their cats collars with bells or bright colourful ones that will give birds a chance to flee from preying cats. Photo / unsplash

In Auckland, 35 per cent of households own cats, resulting in an estimated 320,000 of them in the region.

“We’re a nation of cat lovers and they bring lots of wonderful things to our lives. … we also know that they do have a real impact on our native wildlife that aren't found anywhere else in the world."

Councillor Richard Hills, of the Policy and Planning Committee, is urging Aucklanders to have their say in the 'Let’s Protect Our Environment' consultation, which closes on 8 December.

“The consultation will ask what we can do to continue to protect what Aucklanders value, like our native species and ecosystems, Māori cultural values, rural primary production, and the safety and wellbeing of our communities and natural habitats.”

For more information on the consultation: akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/protect-our-environment

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.