Call to microchip all cats

Wellington is doing it – Tauranga should be doing it too. Dr Liza Schneider of Holistic Vets is talking about compulsory microchipping of cats.

'It's not a magic bullet but it's the first big step in helping us define what is an owned and what is an un-owned cat.”


Vets are calling for all cats in Tauranga to be microchipped.

The Fraser Rd vet was responding to news that Wellington had become New Zealand's first city to make microchipping cats mandatory…even though it's facing the possibility of a legal challenge.

Liza says if a cat is not responsibly owned or un-owned and it's fending for itself out in the wild then it should be humanely euthanased.

She's hard-line but she doesn't dislike cats.

'That's part of the problem,” says Liza. 'There are some people who would like to see all cats killed and gone. But the reality is society sees value in them – they can provide emotional support, joy and fulfilment.”

And she says we have to draw a distinction. 'Cats should be owned and responsibly cared for and therefore not a threat to our wildlife.

'But if they are not responsibly owned and living wild they should be humanely euthanized.”

Microchipping, says Liza, is the first big step in helping us define what is an owned and what is an un-owned cat.

And not every cat outside is a menace. 'Many well-kept cats that have enough play and enough food to eat don't impact on the wildlife at all. They have no need to.”

Liza says the threat to wildlife comes from cats that have to fend for themselves because the owner won't step up and take responsibility. 'Unfortunately it's the same people who don't bother to have their cats de-sexed and when they move on they leave, they desert or dump the cat.”

But if the cat was microchipped the owner could identified, ownership established and that person held accountable.

Microchipping cats would certainly help organisations like the SPCA, the Community Cat Project or a vet. 'If someone brings a healthy cat in and they want rid of it – they want us to kill it – we can't.” That's because there's a process.

'We have to keep it for seven days and make sure it's not owned and it becomes very difficult. But if you could scan it for a microchip, quickly establish ownership and track it back to its owner.”

And if the cat is a recidivist offender – it has repeatedly been trapped on conservation land – and it's microchipped then its owners could be held accountable. 'It's not the cat, it's the owner. And accountability goes hand-in-hand with responsible pet ownership.”

And the Fraser Rd vet is suggesting Tauranga needs to step up and reward people who are doing the right thing and step on those who aren't.

'Basically, if there was a system in place, then in order to own a cat you would have to have it microchipped. If you didn't you potentially be penalised, prosecuted.”

Liza also advocates incentivising de-sexing animals. 'But councils need to step up and make sure there is education and legislation in place to enforce all of this.

'Educate the people who will listen and for those who won't listen we need legislation.”

Another big problem area with cats is the animal hoarder – people who keep many cats.

'If we put a limit on the number of cats we own – and own responsibly – then that would make a huge difference to the decimation of our wildlife. Three or four cats maximum perhaps.”

'Unless humans step up to ensure pets are looked after responsibly, and unless we respect the value animals have in society, then we won't come to a sustainable solution.”

In the Wellington situation a Martinborough cat owner is consulting lawyers with a view to challenging the mandatory aspect of microchipping cats.

He accused the council of standover tactics to push the legislation through.

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29 comments

A red flag Lisa!

Posted on 29-08-2016 07:17 | By nerak

Let the comments begin! You say Cats should be owned and responsibly cared for and therefore not a threat to our wildlife". And you say Many well-kept cats that have enough play and enough food to eat don't impact on the wildlife at all. They have no need to. Surely you recognise the natural instinct of the animal, in this case a cat will catch birds, well kept or not! De sexing has become a good solution to too many cats, just not sure how much micro chipping will achieve. And not sure a home needs more than 2 cats, max.


maybe

Posted on 29-08-2016 07:19 | By susan

may work but we have a hard enough job keeping our humans homed,so not very nice to put cats down that are not homed


Reasonable solutions ?

Posted on 29-08-2016 08:18 | By ROCCO

Yes microchipping all cats isn't a bad start and limiting the number owned to say 2-3 is probably fine.It is also reasonable that all feral cats be euthanized.Neutering cats should be encouraged also as it will assist.Having said that ranting and kneejerking about cats in the Morgan style wanting them all got rid of is unhinged.


Responsibility

Posted on 29-08-2016 08:23 | By Lvdw

Responsibility is the key. Too many people are not responsible pet owners - any pet! Personally my life would be of a much lower quality without my pets.Microchipping will definitely help in identifying the people that simply move away and dump their poor cats. Although that having been said, those are the people who probably wont bother to desex or microchip...


* * * * * * *

Posted on 29-08-2016 08:47 | By nzKIWIgirl

Really? Who cares what they are doing in Wellington! I have an elderly cat and no way is it going to have anything stuck in it because someone else in another Town is doing it. He has his up to date vaccines, is well looked after, sleeps all day and is certainly no bother to anyone. Where the heck is the world turning into? Seems like we are turning into puppets on strings!!


Any control

Posted on 29-08-2016 09:00 | By mutley

Any control on cat population is a good thing. Good work Lisa. The cat owning public are a pack of precious old fools - maybe they should be microchipped and de-sexed as well.


Micro chips

Posted on 29-08-2016 12:13 | By Crash test dummies

Yip that will save the planet, that will stop hunting of native species and that will mean that they will all stay at home, all sweet and lovely. Cant see a single benefit in it except if you are a vet and an official.


Difference

Posted on 29-08-2016 13:08 | By overit

It will be just like roaming dogs. Good people like myself will get the cats microchipped, then another wont. So how are we and the wildlife going to be better of. Beauracracy again!


Well then, why not...

Posted on 29-08-2016 13:24 | By Alquro

Chip all budgies, mice, goldfish! Where do you draw the line? Who or what is going to control the rat population? For a vet you seem to have forgotten the basics of the food chain.


rocko

Posted on 29-08-2016 13:32 | By Rocko

I used to be a cat lover until working as a Hunter/ Trapper for 10 yrs and seeing the damage cats do to our native bird life I am quite happy to feed them the magic Lead Aspirin.


I have 3 cats

Posted on 29-08-2016 13:50 | By NotNat

2 are inside cats but all three have cat instincts (strangely enough). I also have 2 brothers. They hunt and kill should we microchip and desex them as well? Get over it. Animals will be animals we can't control them all. Humans do far more damage to the environment but we are concerned for the 'damage' cats do? I can't even believe the amount of thought wasted on trying to control cats. What about child abusers can we desex and microchip them too? Sounds like a better movement to me.


Well Liza

Posted on 29-08-2016 14:35 | By BennyBenson

Now I'm aware of your stance on euthanising healthy but unchipped cats..you will now lose me and others I know as clients. Would've thought that killing healthy animals was also against your veterinary code, unless it was to relieve suffering.


cats

Posted on 29-08-2016 15:13 | By dumbkof2

all cats should be euthanased at birth


@dumbkof2

Posted on 29-08-2016 16:25 | By 2cents

Really? Such a closed minded opinion


Simple

Posted on 29-08-2016 18:26 | By maildrop

Cat trays and clear your own mess up. If a cat comes in my garden to soil it's my business and I will deal with how I see fit.


@2cents....

Posted on 29-08-2016 18:52 | By Jimmy Ehu

but still an opinion, what makes you think yours is better?, limiting numbers that can be owned and having the same registration system as dogs would be a start.


@jimmy ehu

Posted on 30-08-2016 11:40 | By 2cents

I didn't say mine was better, was merely an observation but I can tell you that living with a closed mind doesn't lead to happiness and fulfilment. Instead it winds you up! When I have an opinion, I'll let you know and I'll let you know the reasoning behind it. Have a happy day!


mixed

Posted on 30-08-2016 13:28 | By lpm67

I have mixed feelings about this...my cat is well behaved, doesn't even leave our property, even properly buries her waste, however, the 6 neighborhood cats that think my garden is their toilet are a pain in the butt, especially the ones who try to sneak into our house at night via the cat door. Am i to be put to further expense because neighbours are irresponsible? Will microchipping stop the feral control officers from poisoning the owned cats? Maybe we should go the same way most of Aussie has gone...cats are not allowed to wander, they have play cages attached to the sides of houses/apartments etc for cats to go outside and for playdates/visiting and any wandering are euthanised.


@ BennyBenson

Posted on 30-08-2016 22:15 | By Crash test dummies

So saving native birds and other wildlife does not count in your equation does it?


RATS & MICE STUFF

Posted on 31-08-2016 20:05 | By kellbell

Microchipping cats and dogs, limiting numbers owned and euthanizing stray animals is the reasonable solution- anything else is biased and prejudiced. Those ranting for the inane unpalatable alternatives are wombles.


The cat problem

Posted on 02-09-2016 14:15 | By flyingtoaster

Microchipping cats is a huge waste of time and money. It won't stop the slaughter of our native birds. My flatmate has a microchipped, neutered, loved and well fed cat, who regularly catches birds, mice, and the occasional rat. As far as birds, usually he kills blackbirds, thrush, sparrows and waxeye's, but, over the last couple of years, he has killed a couple of tuis, kingfishers and fantails. As far as ferral or wild cats are concerned, SPCA's policy is to Catch, Neuter and Release, not microchip. As far as wandering, Cats don't understand boundaries like humans do. Bad owners aren't going to chip their cats, thus holding bad owners acountable, although a fantastic idea, is not going to work to the extent that is needed.


@ JAFFA

Posted on 03-09-2016 03:08 | By BennyBenson

I don't believe cats are as detrimental to bird populations as anti-cat people would have everyone believe. Not sure what other important native wildlife you're referring to though..NZ has the most dull collection of wildlife in the world.


@ BennyBenson

Posted on 04-09-2016 12:33 | By Crash test dummies

Agreed, in fact a large part of the issue is attributable to other imported species. Stots, possums and others have a huge affect on native species. Cats are an issue but not the only issue by far.


If

Posted on 11-09-2016 13:34 | By Tgaboy

You're going to make chipping mandatory, why not make registration mandatory too? Not dure why it's only dog owners that take the hit.


Strange....

Posted on 11-09-2016 14:47 | By laugeo

We (as humans) have decided that we are the superior species on this planet and have the right to decide what lives and dies (and when) but ironically, the measure of our superiority is based on our ability to find ways to destroy our environment, a myriad of other species and our planet as quickly as possible? The threat that WE pose to native wildlife is not to be considered, let's just kill the cats! The smartest species on earth? It's almost funny! On another note, making microchipping compulsory will work just as well as making dog licensing compulsory - those that choose not to follow the rule, simply won't follow the rule. As a member of the smartest species on earth, I have managed to work that out.


Cats

Posted on 11-09-2016 23:31 | By Captain Hottie

I have an elderly fatty catty who hunts. So keeping them well fed won't help, it's in their nature to hunt. I think microchipping, registering and a limit on number of cats is a great idea. People with vast numbers of animals are generally hoarders with mental issues and don't look after their animals very well. Cats, dogs, kids...you don't need THAT many!


golly gosh

Posted on 14-09-2016 17:12 | By old trucker

ALL councillors should be micro chipped to see where they are during the day,Eg 1 hour for coffee in red square 1 hr in a bureta coffee shop with lanyard turned around and COUNCIL car parked outside,what a life,what does 520 staff and Consultants do every day,as they are all out drinking coffee,my gosh,Thanks Sunlive me 2 bobs worth,10-4 out.


@ old trucker

Posted on 16-09-2016 15:57 | By Crash test dummies

Your numbers are a few years out of date, Council staff numbers are now well over 600 and climbing rapidly.


@old trucker mate

Posted on 20-09-2016 20:33 | By kellbell

Where have you been hiding TCC staff numbers have not been 520 for at least 2years & in the 2016 PER Election Report bureaurats admit to 600 and it will a damn sight more than that too and rising rapidly.Don't waste money on microchipping them simply vote the bulk of the cretans out at Ballot box and save the expense.!!!


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