Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ) fully supports the proposed Domestic Cat Microchipping Bill, which calls for the mandatory microchipping and registration of all owned cats in Aotearoa New Zealand.
CANZ is a national charity and the custodian of the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR), which is the country’s leading microchip database for companion animals, with over 1.3 million registered pets. Currently, people voluntarily register their animals and their details with the NZCAR to ensure they can be easily identified and reunited if lost.
The Bill, launched Monday 16 December by Green Party MP Celia Wade Brown, would establish national requirements for microchipping and registering of domestic cats on a national register.
As an organisation dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership, CANZ believes that microchipping and registration are vital steps in ensuring companion cats are well looked after as well as safeguarding our precious native wildlife.
"Microchipping is a proven and effective tool for identifying owned cats," says David Lloyd, General Manager at CANZ. "Microchipping benefits everyone—cat guardians, local councils, and conservation groups alike. It helps reunite lost pets with their families, reduces the burden on shelters, and supports initiatives to manage cat populations humanely – ensuring our beloved companion cats are identifiable. However, according to our data, only 50% of owned cats in New Zealand are microchipped."
Also in the Bill are provisions that would empower local councils to implement stricter bylaws, such as cat roaming restrictions, where needed.
“There are many components to cat management”, adds Lloyd. “CANZ believes that ensuring cats are identifiable not only supports their safety and wellbeing but also enables them to live a Good Life with their guardians.”
As a science-based organisation, CANZ undertakes research to explore how cats can thrive in a variety of living situations, as well as uncovering the different attitudes cat owners have in relation to different types of cat containment. In so doing, the charity maintains an open mind about whether indoor-only or outdoor access environments are in the best interest of all cats.
While full-time indoor living may suit some cats, CANZ acknowledges that keeping cats safely contained on their guardian's property may be beneficial for enabling others to express their natural behaviours and agency.
“Our objective is to inform decision making regarding cat management, to ensure that cat welfare is safeguarded, through promoting responsible guardianship”, says Lloyd. “We are always working alongside the many local and regional councils who are making decisions around microchipping and registration of cats in lieu of any national framework. Many of these councils also include early desexing as part of their bylaw requirements, which we fully support also.”
The new proposed bill does not include a requirement for cats to be desexed, unlike a recent petition that gained support from the environment select committee before being set aside by the Government last month. That petition advocated for the creation of a National Cat Management Act, which included mandatory desexing as a key measure.
CANZ encourages all stakeholders, including policymakers, cat guardians and conservation advocates to support this legislation. Increased support could mean the Bill could bypass the ballot and be introduced to the House sooner.
ABOUT CANZ
Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ) is an independent, science-based charity committed to ensuring all companion animals live a 'Good Life' with responsible guardians. We use research, education and community programmes to achieve this. We also operate the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR), the country's largest microchip database with more than 1.3 million pets registered. Our Board comprises independent trustees and representatives from a range of animal welfare groups, including SPCA, New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), Dogs NZ, New Zealand. Cat Fancy, the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) and the New Zealand Institute of Animal Management (NZIAM).