Local cat bylaws – what is required, and where, for our feline companions?

From our last big report in 2020, we found there were over 1.2 million cats in New Zealand with 41% of households being home to at least one cat. Cats are the most popular companion animal in the country.

As the conversation around responsible pet ownership continues to gain momentum, local cat bylaws are being introduced in cities and districts across the country. It can be hard to keep up with what is happening where, so we’re giving you a summary here. 

We are cat fans! 

It is important to state at the outset that Companion Animals NZ is committed to ensuring that companion cats are able to live a good life.  Countless studies have shown the benefits of the human-animal bond for cat owners and for cats. But, we also know that cat management in NZ is a contentious subject, and people can confuse the term 'cat management' with being ‘anti-cat‘.  

Our organisation is all about ensuring animals are able to have a Good Life being cared for by responsible guardians. We consider microchipping and registration to be a key component of this – which is why we are supportive of local government cat bylaws seeking to promote responsible cat ownership and community engagement on these matters. We also know it is very important to ensure responsible pet ownership is at the forefront of discussions and, for cats, this means addressing the unique challenges they pose for our country in order to ensure we maintain social license to keep them as companions – now and into the future. 

As custodian of the New Zealand Companion Animal Register we also clearly want to ensure as many companion animals, including cats, are registered on our national database as possible. By ensuring that as many pets as possible are accounted for in this manner, we enhance the chances of reuniting lost animals with their owners swiftly and efficiently. This not only reduces the distress experienced by both pets and their families but also alleviates the strain on animal shelters and rescue organisations. 

What are bylaws? 

Local government body bylaws relating to cats are rules designed to address the unique challenges associated with managing the domestic cat population, while ensuring the welfare of both cats and native wildlife.  

One key reason for local bodies implementing these bylaws is to mitigate the impact of domestic cats on New Zealand's native biodiversity. Cats, as efficient hunters, are considered to pose a significant threat to native bird species, reptiles, and small mammals. By regulating the roaming habits of domestic cats through bylaws such as mandatory microchipping and registration, local authorities aim to reduce the predation pressure on vulnerable wildlife populations. A second reason is to limit the impacts of overpopulation to communities – resulting in unowned strays exhibiting problematic behaviours. 

Some local bodies also have provisions for things such as how many cats can be kept, but for the purpose of this article we are focusing on desexing and microchipping mandates. We’re not covering containment here, but we have posted an article about keeping cats indoors already here, if you’d like to know more about whether cats can live a Good Life indoors. It is also worth noting that local bodies recognise the exemption to desexing for registered breeders, or if a registered veterinarian certifies that undergoing the procedure will place the cat at unnecessary risk. 

Where are there bylaws currently? 

Here are the bylaws currently in place – some for cities and some for districts – from North to South.  

• Whangārei District Council: requires all cats to be desexed and microchipped by six months of age and registration to the NZCAR (see full bylaw page 7) 

• Ruapehu District Council: their Animals bylaw requires all cats more than six months old to be microchipped and desexed and registered to the NZCAR (see more here) 

• Whanganui District Council: Animals will have to be desexed and, before they are 4 months old, microchipped and registered to the NZCAR. Cats kept for breeding purposes are exempt (see full bylaw here section 8) 

• Manawatū District Council: The Manawatū District Council's Animal Bylaw 2019 came into effect on October 10, 2019 states that every person who keeps cats must ensure cats over six (6) months are de-sexed (unless kept for breeding purposes and are registered with a nationally recognised cat breeders’ body).  (See full bylaw here page 9) 

• Palmerston North City Council: Cats over six months of age need to be microchipped and registered with the New Zealand Companion Animals Register, or other Council approved microchip registry. Cats over six months are required to be desexed (unless kept for breeding purposes and are registered with a nationally recognised cat breeders’ body including New Zealand Cat Fancy Ltd. and Catz Inc.). (see full bylaw here page 7) 

• Hutt City Council: As of 28 March 2024, the Control of Animals Bylaw now includes a section on the Keeping of Cats, which requires owners of cats over 12 weeks of age to ensure the cat is microchipped and registered on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR); and desexed (unless kept for breeding purposes and registered with a nationally recognised cat breeders' body) 

• Wellington City Council: All domestic cats over the age of 12 weeks must be microchipped and the cat's microchip registered with New Zealand Companion Animal Register. Owners must ensure the microchip information is kept up to date. All domestic cats over six months must be desexed, unless they are kept for breeding purposes and the owner is a current registered breeder with a recognised New Zealand registering body, (read full bylaw here, part 10) 

• Selwyn District Council: All domestic cats over the age of four months in Selwyn district must be microchipped and registered with the approved microchip registry New Zealand Companion Animals Register (NZCAR). Doing this is the best way to ensure your lost pet gets home (read more here) 

What bylaws are on the horizon? 

Other Councils actively considering bylaws relating to microchipping and desexing, as at May 2024, are: 

• Nelson City Council  

• Tasman District Council 

• Buller District Council 

If you do have companion cats, it is important to keep abreast of changes in your area and know you are likely to be able to have your say in a public consultation period.  

Why is this an important conversation right now? 

With Predator Free 2050 set to be reviewed this year with the potential to add feral cats to the mix, the conversation around managing cats and discussing potential confinement measures will only increase. This can be a very controversial and heated topic as, understandably, cats are beloved family members. The conversations are nuanced – there is a pressing need to balance protecting cats, responsible cat ownership and protecting biodiversity also.  

There have been calls from various animal welfare groups for a National Cat Management Act, asking the Government to take a leadership role in supporting comprehensive cat management, including requirements for cats to be microchipped, registered, and to be desexed unless they are registered breeding animals. Just last year, an Environment Select Committee’s recommendation to Parliament was in support of addressing the problems with cat overpopulation in New Zealand. The report called for national legislation involving mandating the desexing and microchipping of companion cats. 

The purrtinent discussion 

By encouraging cat owners to microchip and register their pets, authorities can better track and manage the domestic cat population within their jurisdiction. These bylaws also serve to address concerns related to public health and nuisance behavior associated with cats. By regulating issues such as stray and feral cat populations, cat breeding practices, and the management of cat waste, local authorities aim to create safer, healthier, and more harmonious communities for both residents and pets alike.  

Through collaboration between local governments, cat owners, animal welfare and conservation groups, these bylaws have the potential to create a more sustainable and compassionate future for all inhabitants of Aotearoa. This ‘one welfare’ approach is one we support, which recognises the interconnectedness of animal welfare, human wellbeing, and the environment. 

Related articles:

Should we keep cats indoors?

In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in society's attitudes towards cats, particularly concerning their safety and environmental impact when allowed to roam outdoors. But can we realistically give them a Good Life indoors – and if so, how? 

The way we live is changing, and that has implications for both us and the cats with which we share our lives. Increased urbanisation means more of us are living in apartments with limited outdoor access. With growing awareness of the dangers posed by predators, traffic, and disease, coupled with the detrimental effects of outdoor cats on native wildlife populations, conversations surrounding the importance of keeping cats indoors have gained traction.  

The New Zealand cat conversation 

Some animal welfare organisations and pet owners are increasingly advocating for indoor lifestyles for cats, emphasising the provision of enriching environments and stimulating activities to ensure their needs are being met.  

In New Zealand, the National Cat Management Strategy Group (NCMSG) has extensively reviewed cat issues in New Zealand and recommend comprehensive cat management, including requirements that companion cats be desexed and microchipped (with microchip details registered) and kept on the owner’s property. This, combined with a review of the Predator Free 2050 strategy this year set to discuss inclusion of feral cats, will mean the “cat conversation” is only going to become more prominent.  

It’s important here to distinguish between the three categories of cats – companion, stray and feral. While we are addressing only companion cats here, the conversations about all cat categories inevitably impact opinions on each. 

What’s fueling the indoor trend for pet owners? 

Some people are making the decision to keep their cats indoors some or all of the time, usually overnight, particularly as urban environments become busier and traffic increases. In fact, research suggests that internationally, the major concern for most cat guardians is the risk posed by busy roads. 

Cats are also more likely to be kept indoors if they are pedigree, getting older or their carer is worried they may get lost (which is why microchipping your cat is essential and, if possible, using visible identification too). 

For some, the shift to keep cats indoors signals a desire to mitigate the negative ecological consequences associated with free-roaming felines.  

Can an inside-only feline live a Good Life? 

Interestingly, there is still a lot we don’t know about how people seek to provide positive environments for cats in our homes. This means there is more to learn about how being indoors affects cats both behaviourally and psychologically.  

However, there are a number of ways that we can improve the wellbeing of our companions if they’re indoors. There are also signs to look out for that may tell us whether our cats are enjoying their inside time or if we need to make some changes to their environment to maximise positive experiences.  

If you’re considering an indoor lifestyle for your cat, it's important to remember that all cats are individuals. Some will happily live indoors, or even choose to remain inside when access to the outdoors is available.  Others may be less adaptable - there is no one-size-fits-all approach. 

Baby steps... 

If your cat is already living with access to the outdoors but you want limit that for some, or part of the day, it’s important you don’t take an “all or nothing” approach. Much like people, cats will prefer to take a gradual approach to major lifestyle changes. Try bringing them in for short periods, gradually increasing duration over time.  

Make sure that time indoors is linked to positive experiences like play, cuddles, favourite treats or even just some quiet time. What they think is positive is dependent on your cat's individual preferences and personality. At first your companion may hang out by the door or increase how much they meow, so try distracting them with something fun and engaging. But, if this doesn’t settle down after a few weeks, “strictly indoors”, may not be the best option for your cat. In these instances, some people may choose to keep any future companion cats inside (exclusively or for the most part) from a young age instead so there is little adapting required for that animal.

Watch their waistlines 

As for many of society’s companion animals, obesity is rising as access to treats and good nutrition increases. This can be made worse by an indoor lifestyle which tends to be more sedentary. There are a few things that we can do to minimise this risk, although it can be hard to resist feeding our pets when they enjoy it so much.  

• Make sure that you keep a record of your cat’s weight after visits to the vet and check for any consistent rises.  

• If you provide lots of treats make sure that you deduct these from your daily feeding. Like lollies, they aren’t an everyday food and can be treated as “instead of” rather than “on top of” meal portions.  

• Measure your cat’s intake and aim to feed according to their weight. All pet food packages come with recommended feeding amounts based on your cat's weight, and sometimes even their lifestyle. Some cats will graze little and often, but others will eat everything you put out in one sitting. Following the manufacturers guidance may take a little extra time, but it’s the best way to ensure there is enough, but not too much. 

• Provide an interesting environment. This will promote activity and, as we all know, good exercise helps keep everyone fit and healthy, cats included. You can think of cats as living in a three-dimensional play space. Unlike us, they can fully utilise vertical space, so make sure there are places to climb, jump and rest - complexity is key. Try introducing new toys and climbing spaces regularly or swapping them around because novelty increases time spent playing and exploring. 

Setting the right scene 

If a cat is brought indoors, remember that a lot of the things they used to do outside they now need to do indoors. This means making sure there is access to fresh water. Many of us don’t know that cats prefer to drink away from where they eat, so provide the two some distance apart rather than a combined food and water area. 

Enrichment for indoor cats should be aimed towards engaging them in activities that provide for their behavioural needs.  Elements of the normal hunting behaviour of cats for example, such as stalking and pouncing, can be satisfied through use of cat toys that may also provide stimulation for their specialised sensory capabilities such as sight and smell.  

These are highly motivated behaviours that if unable to be expressed in some form or another may lead to the animal developing problem behaviours or abnormal responses. Providing for safe and more acceptable expressions of what are normal behavioural needs for cats will go a long way towards enabling cats to live a good quality of life, even when they may not have access to the outdoors or natural outlets for their behaviours. 

Of course, you don't need to use store bought toys. Feel free to get creative - many cats happily play with house hold items, like rolled up tin foil ball or a cardboard box with holes in it that encourages exploration.

Also make sure that the litter tray is somewhere quiet and, if you have more than one cat, there needs to be more than one litter tray. Change it frequently so there are no accidents, as cats prefer their toileting areas clean. It’s important to note that, if accidents are occurring frequently, there may be other issues that require a visit to the vet. These could include kidney or bladder issues or even the onset of senility in older cats. 

Give them quiet comforts too 

Not all cats enjoy the hustle and bustle of a busy household. If you have young children or other pets and notice your cat is frequently absent, they may not always be comfortable in the main living space.  This doesn’t mean they can’t live indoors, it just means that you have to provide a quiet and private space where they can relax undisturbed.

Although it can sometimes be hard if we want to socialise with our cats, we need to respect their choice to be alone, and let them have their quiet time. However, if they are always hiding this could be a sign that things are too stressful and we may need to consider if an indoor lifestyle is the right choice for them.  

If you have more than one cat you should also monitor them. Cats are described as “semi-solitary”, so they don’t always get on with one another. Look out for signs such as being protective of food or spaces such as doorways, or even just never being in the same space at the same time. If they don’t seem to be getting along, you may need to provide additional private spaces to allow cats to navigate the house without bumping into one another too often. It’s also recommended to have one more food and water bowl than you have cats (so three bowls if you have two cats). 

The final word  

Ultimately most cats can adapt to an indoor environment if we take time to make sure the house meets all their needs. This means a Good Life is possible indoors under the right circumstances.  

With discussions around indoor cat care becoming more prevalent, it is equally important to continue raising awareness around the needs of our companions so they can live the Good Life they deserve with responsible, loving guardians. 

England Introduces Mandatory Microchipping for Cats

A Step Forward in Responsible Pet Ownership

In two months’ time on 10 June 2024, a new milestone in pet welfare legislation is set to take effect in England. Under this mandate, all cat owners will be required to have their feline companions microchipped. This initiative marks a significant stride forward in safeguarding the well-being of cats and elevating the standards of responsible pet ownership. 

Microchipping has long been recognised as a valuable tool in pet identification and reunification efforts. Unlike collars and tags, which can be lost or removed, microchips provide a permanent form of identification that is tamper-proof and cannot be misplaced. This added layer of security not only increases the likelihood of lost cats being returned to their homes but also serves as a deterrent to pet theft. 

There are an estimated 4.35 million pets in New Zealand total with over 1.1 million of these being companion cats. Currently, the NZ Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) has more than 1.3 million pets registered, with more than 700,000 cats registered. Proportionately, there are more companion animals in New Zealand than anywhere in the world, other than the United States. 

Companion Animals New Zealand General Manager David Lloyd says, beyond the practical benefits of microchipping, this legislation sends a powerful message about the responsibilities that come with pet ownership.  

“Microchipping and registering your animal is a proactive step which shows a commitment to their welfare and safety, so we commend this step taken in England” says Mr Lloyd. “Registering animals on a national database, like our NZ Companion Animal Register, links your details to your pet's microchip, you are ensuring that they can be readily identified and returned to you if they become lost or stray.”   

Microchipping is required for all dogs registered in New Zealand, with the exception of working farm dogs. Having your companion cat microchipped in New Zealand is optional. However in 2023, an Environment Select Committee’s recommendations to Parliament supported a nation-wide cat management framework, which would see almost all cats being desexed and microchipped.  

Additionally, just last week, Hutt City Council voted to introduce "chipping and snipping" rules for domestic cats. The Control of Animals Bylaw now includes a section on the ‘Keeping of Cats’, which requires owners of cats over 12 weeks of age to ensure the cat is: 

• Microchipped; 

• Registered on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR); and 

• Desexed (unless kept for breeding purposes and registered with a nationally recognised cat breeders' body; or deferred if a registered veterinarian has determined it would negatively impact the cat’s health and welfare) 

This decision follows the likes of Wellington, Palmerston North, Whangārei, Whanganui, Ruapehu and Selwyn in implementing local cat bylaws. 

“While we don’t know the next steps from a national perspective following last year’s recommendation from the Select Committee, we are certainly keen to work with local government when they make decisions like Hutt City has, and are always promoting the animal welfare benefits of microchipping,” continues Mr Lloyd. 

“Microchipping helps animals get home faster which means they’re at less risk of becoming sick or injured or without care for lengthy periods. It is so important animal guardians keep their details up to date if they move or change circumstances. We hope that more people opt into microchipping  their animal – regardless of mandates - because of how it can protect their animal and reunite them if they become separated. ” 

Read more about the legislation in England.