New Zealand has taken huge steps to wipe out predators that devastate the country’s unique native birds and wildlife, and has some of the world’s most ambitious pest-elimination goals. National campaigns and volunteer trappers have put a significant dent in the population of rats, possums and stoats, and New Zealanders have succeeded in wiping them out on large islands and inland sanctuaries.
Now, however, the lens is increasingly on more beloved, domesticated species – particularly the household moggie. Some conservationists see roaming cats as a huge, undiscussed threat to native birdlife. There have been increasing calls for compulsory desexing of cats to limit their population. A rural hunting competition made headlines for encouraging children to shoot feral cats.
Dogs aren’t exempt from the scrutiny – over the past two weeks, seven kiwi were found mauled in Northland, likely by roaming dogs.
We’re interested in speaking to New Zealanders about their thoughts on whether there’s a future for cats in Aotearoa, or whether their presence is incompatible with restoring Aotearoa’s native wildlife. Are you a cat-lover who’s reconsidering future feline ownership because of environmental concerns? Or do you believe cats are here to stay?
