Microchipping for Stewart Island cats proposed
First it was dogs, now cats on Stewart Island will be the first to be microchipped in New Zealand if a council proposal goes ahead. YES !! I hope all of NZ does it. Cat microchipping is done in Ottawa...
The cat chipping is proposed in the draft review of Environment Southland's regional pest management strategy and the aim is to make pet cats easily identified from feral cats.
Stewart Island cat owners, spoken to yesterday, had not heard of the proposal but were supportive of the idea. I'm gald to hear that.
Resident Laura Cavanagh said if the choice came between not having a cat or having to get her cat microchipped, "I'd microchip it in a second".
Most people on the island had two or three cats, she said. "They're good for keeping the rats away." No wonder the kiwi are being killed!
Another cat owner, Gwen Neave, said some pet cats wandered all over the bay.
"You can't penalise a cat for having cat instincts." Oh my God !! the same logic can/could/should apply to dogs!
It was up to owners to keep them under control, she said.
All pet cats on the island have to be neutered.
Environment Southland biosecurity officer Sherman Smith said there was no point in getting rid of cats all together because of the feral cat population already on the island.
The microchip would be the same rice-size chip inserted into dogs and Mr Smith hoped a deal could be arranged so owners could get microchips at a reduced rate. Sheese... the only thing about microchipping is the need for vets to think tis is another money thing!
The cat chipping is proposed in the draft review of Environment Southland's regional pest management strategy and the aim is to make pet cats easily identified from feral cats.
Stewart Island cat owners, spoken to yesterday, had not heard of the proposal but were supportive of the idea. I'm gald to hear that.
Resident Laura Cavanagh said if the choice came between not having a cat or having to get her cat microchipped, "I'd microchip it in a second".
Most people on the island had two or three cats, she said. "They're good for keeping the rats away." No wonder the kiwi are being killed!
Another cat owner, Gwen Neave, said some pet cats wandered all over the bay.
"You can't penalise a cat for having cat instincts." Oh my God !! the same logic can/could/should apply to dogs!
It was up to owners to keep them under control, she said.
All pet cats on the island have to be neutered.
Environment Southland biosecurity officer Sherman Smith said there was no point in getting rid of cats all together because of the feral cat population already on the island.
The microchip would be the same rice-size chip inserted into dogs and Mr Smith hoped a deal could be arranged so owners could get microchips at a reduced rate. Sheese... the only thing about microchipping is the need for vets to think tis is another money thing!
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