Pet cat bylaw passes

Your family’s favourite feline is now covered by new rules adopted by elected members at a meeting on 28 November.

The bylaw aims to ensure that domestic cats are well-cared for, can be easily reunited with family if they get lost, and their population is managed humanely and effectively.

We received 154 submissions during the consultation on our Cat Management Bylaw, covering a wide range of issues. The proposed Bylaw was widely supported in the submissions, with 89% supporting microchipping, 86% agreeing with registration, and 88% backing desexing.

All submissions were carefully considered, and some of the feedback directly influenced the final bylaw and future review considerations.

All domestic cats over the age of six months need to be microchipped, registered with the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR), and de-sexed.

Exemptions to de-sexing are enabled where a cat is registered with a nationally recognised breeders body, or if a vet considered the procedure would adversely affect the health or welfare of the cat.

The bylaw comes into effect from 1 January 2025. However, if you already have a cat, you have until June 2026 to comply with the bylaw.

If your cat is already microchipped, registered with NZCAR, and de-sexed, you do not need to do anything further.

When the bylaw is reviewed in five years, other issues such as pet cat containment/curfews, limits to cat numbers per household, and feeding colony cats, will be considered.

What will this mean for me?

Below are the provisions of the cat management bylaw. If your cat is already microchipped, registered with NZCAR and de-sexed, you do not need to do anything further.

• The bylaw requires all domestic cats over the age of six months to be microchipped, registered with the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, and de-sexed;

• Exemptions to the de-sexing requirement are enabled where a cat is registered with a nationally registered breeders body, or if a vet considers the procedure would adversely affect the health or welfare of the cat;

• A transition period shall be granted for existing cat owners to comply with the bylaw until 1 June 2026

The complete Bylaw is available on this page and the Council website. There will also be reference hard copies in all Tasman District Council Libraries and Service Centres shortly.

What we heard from you

We received 154 submissions during the consultation period, covering a wide range of issues. The proposed Bylaw was widely supported in the submissions, with over 89% supporting the microchipping requirement, over 86% supporting the registration requirement and over 88% supporting the desexing requirement.

The Council carefully considered these submissions, and some of the feedback directly influenced the final bylaw and the future review considerations:

• The transition period has been reduced to June 2026 as opposed to June 2027.

• Councillors passed a resolution to consider issues such as cat containment/curfews, limits to cat numbers per household, and the feeding of colony cats when the bylaw is reviewed within five years.

Our early engagement showed a strong level of community support for introducing a Cat Management Bylaw. While the initial proposal was to require microchipping and registration on the National Companion Animal Register, we also received significant feedback (89%) in support of de-sexing also being a requirement. In response to this feedback, de-sexing has been included in the draft Cat Management Bylaw.

These are key steps in promoting responsible cat ownership and minimizing potential nuisance issues caused by cats.

The bylaw is different to feral cat management which is dealt with through our Pest Management Plan.

Microchipping and registration support cat welfare by quickly reuniting lost cats with their families, while reducing the financial burden on rescue centres. For example, when a lost cat cannot easily be identified and reunited with their family, the rescue centres and vets use valuable resources caring for the cat, trying to track down their owners and if all else fails, rehoming the cat. A quick reunion also places far less stress on a displaced cat.

De-sexing cats will reduce the number of unwanted and stray kittens, once again reducing strain on rescue centres and minimizing nuisance. A de-sexed cat is also less inclined to roam, which may reduce instances of cats becoming lost or injured, fighting, or causing issues on neighbouring properties.

If your cat is already de-sexed, microchipped and on the Companion Animal Register there is no further cost.

Costs of microchipping vary and are often discounted when combined with other procedures such as registration or desexing. This is a one-off fee of around $60. This payment goes to your vet. Read more about the benefits of microchipping your pet here:

Advice & welfare: The benefits of microchipping your pet • SPCA New Zealand

Unlike with dog registration, the National Companion Animal Register is not operated through Council. This register ensures that when your pet's microchip is scanned you can be contacted by an approved agent such as a vet or the SPCA. A microchip does not automatically mean that your pet is on the register. If they are not registered only your vet will be able to identify your pet. Lost pets have been known to travel long distances and registration means they can be identified by an approved agent wherever they may end up. This can be particularly important during emergency events. Read more about the benefits of registering your pets for a one-off $15 fee here:

Companion Animals Home » Companion Animal Register

Council would not 'clip the ticket' for either of these fees. All fees go to the organisation to cover their costs.

Costs of de-sexing a cat vary, and the procedure for a male cat generally costs less. Prices are usually within the $120 - $300 range. Contact your vet to discuss what you could expect to pay for this procedure.

Find out more about the benefits of de-sexing your cat here

What about older cats?

Existing cat owners will have a transition period to allow time for them to de-sex, microchip and register any cats they already own. This is proposed to extend until 1 June 2026.

It is important to note that vets can provide exemptions to the bylaw if they consider a procedure would adversely affect the health or welfare of a cat.