This New Zealand Town Wants To Ban Domestic Cats September 06 2018, 15 Comments
Domestic house cats may soon be banned in Omaui, a small, coastal town on the South Island of New Zealand.
The proposed ban would impose a "sunset clause" on the house cats of Omaui, meaning that once a cat has passed, its owners would not be allowed to replace it. The ban on cats would start out by enforcing an indoor-only policy for all domestic cats.
If the policy is approved, cat owners will have six months to register existing cats with the regional council, also having them microchipped and neutered.
According to the New York Times, Omaui is home to just 35 people and about seven or eight cats. It begs the question - why the need to completely ban cats? According to Environment Southland, the council responsible for planning in the region, the ban is sorely needed to protect native wildlife - namely its bounty of local bird and lizard species.
Joseph Johnson
Ali Meade, the regional council’s biosecurity and biodiversity manager, said cats pose real risks to New Zealand’s unique wildlife species, which had "evolved in isolation from mammals."
Some of New Zealand's unique fauna, especially its flightless birds, are "much more vulnerable" to predation than species in other countries, according to Meade, because they evolved without the presence of mammals that hunted them.
“They grew up with strange ways of living, like birds that nest on the ground and can’t fly; really naïve behaviors,” Meade said. As an island nation, New Zealand became home to predatory mammals only after settlers arrived.
The proposed ban has caused something of a rift in the community, namely because residents had not been "properly consulted" about the proposal, according to Terry Dean, a longtime resident. Another resident, Nico Jarvis, told Buzzfeed News that she was only informed of the potential cat ban by reporters who came to the community to ask questions.
"I am aware of eight other residents who were also unaware that Environment Southland are attempting to impose a cat ban," she said.
She is pushing for transparency and due diligence on the council's part. "I wish to see the evidence they have regarding the impact of domestic cats in Omaui's reserves."
John Collins, chairman of the Omaui Landcare Charitable Trust, believes that with domestic cats kept from predating the natural environment and trapping programs instituted for feral cats, Omaui may be able to reintroduce some of New Zealand's rarer bird species.
"We're not cat haters, it's about being responsible," he said. "Why would you want to live in a place where you're destroying the environment?"
What do you think about this "cat ban"? Let us know in the comments!
Comments
Linda Collard on September 22 2018 at 10:49PM
I think it is fair and just… except for one big thing; if your cat passes, you should still be able to get ANOTHER one! why the hell not? As long as it’s kept indoors and is neutered (which is stupid in it’s own way too), it’s not going to get to any birds or other wildlife, so what’s it hurting? People need pets in their lives, and for some, that pet is a cat, or two. I keep mine indoors all the time and he’s fine with it. As for the other thing; neutering indoor cats; don’t see the reason for it if you don’t care about it, just as long as you don’t have a male and female that are not for sale. Personally, I want only neutered cats, don’t like the spraying and the yowling and all the crap that goes with them when they are intact, but some people don’t care, so why should they.
Hannah Lee on September 22 2018 at 11:13AM
Such a small place for such a big problem! And such a draconian and unnecessary proposal.
SOLUTION:
1. Require ALL domestic animals ;dogs included) to be spay/neutered.
2. Require any outdoor access from the owner’s dwelling/where the animal is kept to be escape-proof. (There are many such enclosures, and plans for building them, online, both free and for sale). Any animal that goes outside it’s home or outdoor enclosure must be on a leash WITH HARNESS or inside an enclosed stroller or similar vehicle, or enclosed AND leashed within an automobile.
Jennicat on September 20 2018 at 08:55PM
I absolutely love my 2 kitties that are always indoors. It’s not safe for them to be exposed to the many dangers of running around loose. I also love birds and hate to see them killed. I don’t think anyone should dictate if people can have cats or not. Just keep them inside your home and catio.
I hate their cat ban idea😡🤬
Adam T on September 11 2018 at 05:07PM
Jane,
Not all cat’s would jump on squirells, ect. I agree almost all would. My cat really doesn’t care, their used to be an outside squirrel who would come up to the patio window all the time and would talk with my cat (no mouth chittering hunting style, just meows and mers (I have a main coon)). I even leave my front door open all the time and he doesn’t go out it ever (again, he’s weird), sometimes he’ll sit and stare out of it, but never walks out on his own. I’ve even had him outside on a leash and he didn’t try to get to any of the birds or squirrels in the area. He hates bugs with a passion though and will run around the house crazy if there is a fly he can’t get to. Other side of this ban, is hopefully they develop stronger rodent control methods as well. Because cats help with rodent population as well, and there are rodents that target nests on the ground for their eggs.
Jane on September 11 2018 at 12:58PM
Having been to New Zealand, there are some interesting species there that are not found anywhere else, and the Kiwi and other flightless birds are at risk with cats. I think that sunsetting the ability to have cats is a good compromise in this particular situation. It will give the native bird population a time where they may be able to repopulate, and not deny anyone who today has a cat from having to get rid of it. They just can’t get a new cat once their current cat passes.Even if you have an indoor cat, you can’t guarantee it won’t get out, because they LOVE birds and small animals. I know I have two indoor cats, and they would be on birds and chipmunks and squirrels if they could get to them. Just watching them watch little animals through the windows tells you all you need to know…
I support the ban!
Barb on September 08 2018 at 06:21PM
I agree with the idea of only allowing indoor cats. My cat was indoors for 13 years and didn’t seem to mind. She may have been curious about the outdoors but satisfied that curiosity by sitting in the various windows with the windows opened just enough that she could sniff the outdoors. Maybe that town will change its mind about outdoor cats when the mouse (yes, the kind that leave their filthy droppings in the kitchen) population increases.
Eden on September 08 2018 at 05:36PM
“New Zealand became home to predatory mammals only after settlers arrived. "
Maybe all 35 people should move. I doubt it’s just the cats affecting the native environment.
Robin Smith on September 08 2018 at 01:07PM
I think the birders are nuts! These cats just need to be kept indoor or outdoor catio’s!! Screen in porches etc! How dare you tell me I can’t have a cat, communist!
Juliann Sliwa on September 08 2018 at 11:42AM
I just wanted to mention that I agree with “Cynthia” from September 8th completely!!!
When a person looses someone they truly love 💜& are really close to its absolutely devastating 😰and in some cases the person practically shuts down. For example a sad 😥 child 👦🏻loosing a parent or a wife or husband loosing their life long 👰🏻🤵🏻partner.
Having a cat 🐱can be and usually is giving that person a reason to live & go on. For now they Have a living being that “needs” them to take care of them or in the child’s case to love 💜 them ands play🤹♂️ with them as well as the kitty 🐱 giving them so much unconditional love 💜 back!!!!
Great comment/point that you made Cynthia!!!!
Juliann Sliwa on September 08 2018 at 11:42AM
I just wanted to mention that I agree with “Cynthia” from September 8th completely!!!
When a person looses someone they truly love 💜& are really close to its absolutely devastating 😰and in some cases the person practically shuts down. For example a sad 😥 child 👦🏻loosing a parent or a wife or husband loosing their life long 👰🏻🤵🏻partner.
Having a cat 🐱can be and usually is giving that person a reason to live & go on. For now they Have a living being that “needs” them to take care of them or in the child’s case to love 💜 them ands play🤹♂️ with them as well as the kitty 🐱 giving them so much unconditional love 💜 back!!!!
Great comment/point that you made Cynthia!!!!
Juliann Sliwa on September 08 2018 at 11:21AM
I totally understand the real necessity of preserving such important wildlife and rare species in nature. That is imperative.
But… cats are also vitality important to people who are elderly, disabled or have some mental health issues. Cats act as extremely great companions & give such supportive comfort to people!!! I definitely believe in ALL cases cats should be “INDOOR” Cats!!!
If this council could be assured by the pet parent(s) that their furr baby would absolutely 100% of the be indoors & never go outside then I think they should reasonably reconsider this proposal!! Have the pet parents sign a binding agreement that will always keep their cat indoors & if it is not followed there will be a heavy fine to pay!!!
Cats are so needed for cat therapy!!!
The reason I feel so strongly about this subject is that I could never survive w/o my QTPiee!
I am only 52 yrs old. I am totally disabled and completely bed bound. I can not walk, stand or even sit up due to a near fatal MVA. I also have no
family only my boyfriend who lives in another city to help & support as much as he can. So for my emotional support & company on a daily basis if I didn’t have my cat I don’t know what I would ever do!!!! Many elderly, disabled, shut-ins & mental health individuals are the exact same too!!! So it is critical to NOT ban cats!!!
Cynthia Narkoff on September 08 2018 at 11:03AM
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tell me you are joking about this ! People need animals in their life. Loss of friends, a loved one, a family member… animals help sooth the soul… lessen the heartbreak.. actually proven fact to help you live longer. THE ANIMALS NEED US AS WELL ! PLEASE, PLEASE DON’T DO THIS TO THE PEOPLE OF YOUR TOWN. YOUR COMMUNITY. 😭💔💔💔🐾😭😢
Sue on September 08 2018 at 10:38AM
Whatever happened to them that they hate cats so much? I couldn’t live there for sure!
Barbie Ryan on September 08 2018 at 10:36AM
It’s communism, plain & simple. Our cat species need homes too , and desperately.
Mary on September 07 2018 at 11:50AM
Why ban all cats? Why not allow indoor cats? This makes no sense at all! I couldn’t live there!