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.
Download and read the bylaw. (pdf 261 KB)
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 2029, other issues such as pet cat containment/curfews, limits to cat numbers per household, and feeding colony cats, will be considered.
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