A Dunedin cat owner has slammed a call to fence cats.
Alex Kerr, of The Glen, said New Zealand Veterinary Association chief veterinary officer Dr Helen Beattie's comments to the Otago Daily Times last month were "irresponsible''.
Dr Beattie was "demonising cats'' by giving them the blanket label of a "predator'' which must be contained.
Dr Beattie is the association's representative on the National Cat Management Strategy Group.
Dr Beattie said the group's strategy document was the outcome of three years' collaboration by the association, SPCA, Local Government New Zealand, New Zealand Companion Animal Council and the Morgan Foundation.
The group wants domestic cats in ecologically sensitive areas to be contained in owners' properties, to make it easier to manage all cats - domestic, feral or stray - in those areas.
The group says the Government should provide a clear framework to allow local government bodies to enforce cat management bylaws, including:
• Restricting the movement of cats in ecologically sensitive areas with measures such as keeping them indoors or in other contained areas.
• Limiting the numbers of cats in ecologically sensitive areas.
• Limiting the number of cats per household.
• Desexing cats unless they belong to a responsible and registered breeder.
• Identification of cats, preferably by microchipping and registering them on a national database.
Mr Kerr said if legislation was introduced, he feared for cats found "outside their compounds''.
"Dr Beattie's comments are enabling cat haters everywhere and giving them the green light to deal with cats in inhumane ways.''
Dr Beattie said the intention of the strategy was to improve the lives of cats, by providing them with better protection measures.
To give cats greater protection, they should be treated like dogs, the ownership of which involved measures such as containment and registration, she said.
A Department of Internal Affairs spokeswoman said the Government would consider the National Cat Management Strategy Group's submission on cat management.
SHAWN.MCAVINUE @thestar.co.nz
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Comments
I don't know about "irresponsible", but certainly impractical. And unnecessary.
Mr Kerr might be surprised if he actually reads the NZ Cat Management Strategy proposal for himself, rather than relying on selective press coverage of this well researched 161 page document. The recommendations in this document supports the principle of established cat 'colonies' for abandoned stray cats after neutering, inoculation and marking. There are two supervised colonies in our area who will go on to enjoy community support for the course of their natural lives, the important focus being the de-sexing and identification of strays. It is not the Cat Management Strategy proposals that endanger the lives of lost cats and strays, but misinterpretation and wilful ignorance of the humane alternatives put forward. Reading this document, which is written for the lay-person, understanding the proposals and supporting groups already working towards responsible care alternatives is vital to close down misinformed headlining by the news media and emotive opinions based on ignorance.
Solution: Read the proposal, support the establishment of cat colonies in appropriate locations, fund raise to help pay for neutering and ongoing food costs, record the colony cats, become a carer.
Dear Little Toot have YOU read the NZ Cat Management Strategy Proposal? One of the groups involved is the Morgan Foundation who want to eradicate 12 million cats ( don't know where they get their figures ).
I have loads of articles on instances where neighbors have killed or gin trapped neighbors cats encouraged by this war on cats and calling them Predators. It is enabling the intolerant. As for Cat colonies. I don't think so. Certainly not in Dunedin. Mayor Cull is on record about colonies. The Morgan Foundation say any cat not microchipped is a feral cat. Containment is all about eradicating cats.
Only because I cut and pasted this yesterday is the following at hand.
On Page 44 of the National Cat Management Strategy Discussion Paper dated September 2017, recommended methods of execution are listed as a blow to the head with a solid object or a head shot with a firearm or alternatively a captive bolt gun. NCMSG also suggest cutting the throats of Cats afterwards to ensure they have been killed.
Little Toot I do support the establishment of Managed Cat Colonies and support the Animal Rescue Network New Zealand. I do fund raise and believe in TNR and am a carer. Cheers