Waikato SPCA calls for tougher cat bylaws
Microchipping and cat curfews are being suggested by the SPCA to reduce the number of unwanted cats in the region.
A Waikato SPCA submission calling for sweeping changes to cat-ownership bylaws will be heard by Hamilton City Council at lunchtime tomorrow.
Among the more drastic changes are a call for curfews on urban cats, requiring them to be within their properties from dusk to dawn, and mandatory microchipping for cats under 8 years old.
Former SPCA branch manager Tracey Wilde, who is in charge of the submission, feels the proposed bylaw changes would help reduce the overwhelming number of unwanted kittens being born each year.
“The Waikato SPCA considers the overpopulation of unwanted cats one of the most serious animal welfare issues we are currently facing,” she said.
“The reality is the demand for assistance from individuals and communities far exceeds the resources of animal welfare agencies.”
Earlier this year, the Hamilton branch of the Waikato SPCA had to impose a three month waiting list before accepting any new cats or kittens.
“The Waikato SPCA is no longer able to take in stray cats,” says a petition sent out by the organisation leading up to the potential bylaw changes being discussed tomorrow.
“The number of cats and kittens that are unwanted, hungry, cold, thirsty, sick, injured and abused grows each year.”
The SPCA proposal would also include requiring households in urban zones to gain permits if they wish to own more than four cats over four months old.
A call for the Government to require all companion cats to be microchipped, registered and desexed before being sold or adopted out is also being made by the SPCA.
