Cat requirements - Keeping of Animals Bylaw Review 2026

Closes: 11/12/2026

Proposal

Following consultation on this review, the Hearings Committee is now proposing to introduce specific cat requirements. This would require cat owners to have their cats over four months microchipped and de-sexed. Microchips would need to be registered with the New Zealand Companion Animals Register. Exceptions to de-sexing would be cats kept for breeding purposes and registered with a nationally recognised cat breeders’ body or a veterinarian determines that de-sexing would adversely affect the cat’s health or welfare. A transition period of six months is proposed. This proposal is to help manage cat-related nuisance issues in Dunedin.

Options

Cats – add to Bylaw mandatory microchipping and de-sexing cats over four months

Option 1 (proposed) Require cats over 4 months to be microchipped and desexed via bylaw (with some exceptions)
Advantages	Disadvantages
Could provide an additional tool to manage cat-related issues Potentially fewer unwanted or feral cats.	Would require rate payer funding for additional staff Enforcement is problematic and costly e.g. proving cat ownership.

Cats – no Bylaw rules but promote and educate responsible cat ownership

Option 2: Promote responsible cat ownership (microchipping and de-sexing) e.g. via education, collaboration and marketing
Advantages	Disadvantages
Minimal, if any, ratepayer funding required Encourages responsible cat ownership Potentially fewer unwanted or feral cats.	May not be so effective as including within a bylaw.

Consultation documents

Consultation details

Closing date	11/12/2026
Contact person	Business Advisor - Compliance Solutions
Public feedback	Online submission form (Open in new window) Email to - AnimalRules@dcc.govt.nz Post to - Keeping of Animals Bylaw Dunedin City Council PO Box 5045 Dunedin 9054 Hand deliver to - Keeping of Animals Bylaw DCC Customer Services Centre Civic Centre 50 The Octagon Dunedin

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