WCC proposing microchipping in Animal Bylaw

Gareth MorganEnvironment

WCC are proposing some changes to the Animal Bylaw which would encourage responsible cat ownership and help manage strays. And to get the changes made the public need to put in their views. We’ve created a quick submission for you to make it easy.

Cats kill wildlife, spread diseases and cause a general nuisance by soiling people’s gardens. At the moment there is no easy way to identify an owned cat from an unowned cat so it is almost impossible to manage strays near populated areas. The Council are suggesting microchipping of all owned cats to enable strays to be better managed.

This would mean in areas where stray cats were a nuisance, such as near sensitive wildlife areas, restaurants or playgrounds, stray and unowned cats could be controlled. Any owned microchipped cats could be returned to their owners and unowned cats rehomed or humanely euthanized.

Microchipping helps protect owned cats. After the Christchurch earthquakes approximately 85% of microchipped cats were returned to owners, compared with 15% of cats without microchips.

The Council are also suggesting limiting the number of cats to three per household (unless they are under 6 months or permission from the council is sought). Limiting the number of cats reduces public health issues (toxoplasmosis) and nuisance factors such as predation of wildlife.

We strongly encourage you to make a submission on the proposed changes. The more supporting submissions the more likely they are to make the change. You can use the quick submission form below for questions relating to cat management or you can fill out the full submission form at WCC.

Submissions close Monday 2 May so don’t miss out.

For more details about the proposed Animal Bylaw changes read on the Council website.

Make a submission now!

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WCC proposing microchipping in Animal Bylaw was last modified: April 29th, 2016 by Gareth Morgan
About the Author

Gareth Morgan

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Gareth Morgan is a New Zealand economist and commentator on public policy who in previous lives has been in business as an economic consultant, funds manager, and professional company director. He is also a motorcycle adventurer and philanthropist. Gareth and his wife Joanne have a charitable foundation, the Morgan Foundation, which has three main stands of philanthropic endeavour – public interest research, conservation and social investment.