Ruapehu Council’s cat desexing scheme exceeds expectations

Ruapehu District Council's cat desexing programme used up its $5000 budget in just a few days. Photo / Olivia Reid

Ruapehu District Council’s cat desexing and microchipping scheme spent its $5000 allocation in only a few days.

As a part of the council’s 2024 financial plan, $5000 was allocated for vouchers to desex and microchip cats according to legal requirements in Ruapehu.

A December 2021 bylaw requires all cats older than six months in the district to be desexed, microchipped and on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register.

Council chief executive Clive Manley said it had been intended to continue the scheme into the new year but the $5000 budget for the financial year was fully allocated within just a few days due to overwhelming demand.

The $5000 allowed for 20 cats to be desexed and microchipped.

The scheme has been delivered in partnership with Totally Vets Taumarunui, VetEnt King Country and Ruapehu Veterinary Services.

The council will not be able to reoffer the scheme until the start of the new financial year in July 2025.

Council communications manager Paul Wheatcroft said the council hoped to continue the scheme in future years as “it’s clear there’s a need”.

However, decisions would not be made until mid-2025 and would depend on financial availability.

The council said the benefits of desexing and microchipping pets included lower risk of disease, calmer and less aggressive behaviour, and a healthier environment.

Cat population control is a concern for New Zealand’s native wildlife, according to the Department of Conservation website which says feral cats are “one of the most ferocious predators in our ecosystem”.

Council licensing and compliance manager Phoebe Harrison said desexing and microchipping cats was “not just about following the rules - it’s one of the best things you can do for their health and wellbeing”.

“It also plays a critical role in protecting our native wildlife and reducing the number of unwanted and stray cats in the community.”

Harrison encouraged anyone struggling to afford desexing and microchipping to check the SPCA’s website at www.snipnchip.spca.nz, where they can register for assistance.

Olivia Reid is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.