A feral cat sussing out its territory. The Department of Conservation has clarified the difference between feral, stray and domestic cats. Photo / Department of Conservation
A feral cat sussing out its territory. The Department of Conservation has clarified the difference between feral, stray and domestic cats. Photo / Department of Conservation
Not all cats are alike.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) has clarified the difference between the three recognised cat populations after the recent inclusion of feral cats on the Predator Free 2050 “target species list”.
In November of last year, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka confirmed the addition of feral catsto the list, which also features stoats, ferrets, weasels – mustelids, rats and possums.
He described them as “stone-cold killers” due to their predation of native birds and other species.
Feral cats, however, should not be confused with stray cats.
DoC Gisborne operations manager Matt Tong said feral cats were one of three “recognised cat populations” in New Zealand.
The three are domestic (or companion/pet) cats living with or dependent on humans; stray cats living around towns and cities with their needs met in part by humans; and feral cats, which live independently and do not rely on humans for survival.
A feral cat on the prowl. They have joined stoats, ferrets, weasels – mustelids, rats and possums as eradication targets, as announced by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. Photo / Department of Conservation
Tong said while they recognised feral cats were a widespread issue in the country, there were no specific problem areas around Gisborne.
“Feral cat control work is largely focused in remote and rural areas where there are no pet cats,” he said. “Methods such as cage-trapping can be used in areas near human settlements to ensure only feral cats are targeted.
“Community groups such as Eastern Whio Link have been successful in removing a number of feral cats from around the upper Waioweka and Koranga/Kahunui streams area as part of their whio protection mahi.”
The SPCA says it aims to help get more cats desexed in Gisborne, including sending its desexing vehicle, known as Snippy.
The SPCA acknowledged there were areas of concern in Gisborne around the breeding of stray cats.
“We know Gisborne is an area that is in need of desexing assistance and empathise with the community,” it told the Gisborne Herald.
“We are doing our best to find vets to come on board with our desexing programmes.
“We are also hoping to send our desexing vehicle, Snippy, to Gisborne for at least three weeks in the next financial year and will share further information with the community once confirmed.”
The SPCA also outlined what could be done if people were concerned about local stray cat populations.
“If a person is feeding stray cats, we encourage them to desex, microchip and take responsibility for the welfare of these cats,” SPCA scientific officer Christine Sumner said.
“Providing food encourages cats to gather around each other and breed, which contributes to the overpopulation of stray cats, leading to welfare problems for the cats, nuisance in communities and negative impacts on wildlife and farmed animals.”
If a cat was injured or needed help, the SPCA could potentially assist, she said.
“We understand people may be concerned about cats that come on to their property or cats they see out in their communities.
“If a person is concerned about a cat needing urgent care – for example, the cat is injured, sick, very old or young without their mother – then they can reach out to their local SPCA or veterinarian for assistance.
“Otherwise, if the cat is a juvenile or adult and appears healthy, we encourage people to first find out if the cat has an owner. Most cats are allowed to roam from home and most owners underestimate how far their cat may wander.
“We do not recommend feeding other people’s cats because they may be on a special diet to address health problems,” Sumner said.
Gisborne District Council said it had not recently received reports of stray cat colonies in the city or Tolaga Bay.
“People do regularly request cat traps but there aren’t really any trends or ‘colonies’ identified. We would not recommend trap, desex then release. Even if they are desexed, they will still be a predator to native birds.”
The council said its website had information on managing and potentially trapping stray and feral cats.
Mutts & Moggies Tairāwhiti Animal Education and Care Charitable Trust said it was not carrying out desexing because its vets were “very short-staffed and will be for some time”.
