Dunedin City Council – Kaunihera-a-rohe o Otepoti

Have your say – introduction of cat requirements to manage cat-related issues

Last updated: 09 Nov 2026 4:02pm

The Dunedin City Council (DCC) invites residents and ratepayers to have their say on the introduction of specific cat restrictions under the Keeping of Animals Bylaw, with consultation opening today and submissions closing at 5pm on Friday 23 October 2026.

Following previous consultation on this review, the Council is now proposing to require cat owners to have their cats over the age of four months microchipped and de-sexed (with some exceptions). This proposal is to help manage cat-related nuisance issues in Dunedin.

The suggested restrictions were the result of an earlier round of public feedback received while consulting on the proposed Keeping of Animals Bylaw. Feedback from that consultation – which ran from 20 July to 21 August 2026 – included some asking for restrictions such as desexing, microchipping and limiting cat numbers.

If the changes were introduced, there would be a transition period of six months.

After consultation closes, a Hearings Committee will consider submissions, and other information gathered through the review, before the Council makes any final decisions on the proposed cat requirements.

Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 11 December 2026.

To find out more or make a submission, visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/consultation

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