However, there are gaps in responsible cat ownership resulting in cat overpopulation that negatively impacts our urban, rural, and wild communities.  There are approximately 1.2 million companion cats in 41% of households across New Zealand, but only:    

• 88% of owners desex their cats (a downward trend from previous reports),   
• 49% microchip their cats; and  
• 11% keep their cats at home.   

Firstly, people with cats who roam enjoy the benefits of companionship, but do not pay the true cost for letting their cat roam, especially if they are not desexed or microchipped.  Secondly, there is a failure of government to protect public goods of cat welfare, native wildlife, reducing transmission of toxoplasmosis to native marine mammals and pastoral animals, and controlling nuisance in communities.

The current patchwork approach to management of cats in New Zealand is ineffective and inhumane.

SPCA further supports legislation that enables local councils to pass bylaws to manage cats to protect biodiversity, including the registration of cats on a government database.

The National Cat Management Strategy Group (members include SPCA, the New Zealand Veterinary Association, the Morgan Foundation, Local Government New Zealand, Companion Animals New Zealand, and observer members MPI and DOC) has extensively reviewed cat management in New Zealand. They recommend comprehensive cat management legislation that requires companion cats are desexed, microchipped and microchip registered, and kept at home.

• New Zealand needs a National Cat Act - Infographic.pdf
• National Cat Legislation - Policy Brief.pdf
• National Cat Legislation - Background Document.pdf
• The implications of policies on the welfare of free-roaming cats in New Zealand - Scientific Paper.pdf