In the News: Thousands of Cats Plague Haakarimata

Cats are estimated to kill more than 100 million birds each year in Aotearoa, as well as countless geckos, skinks, bats, and insects. Their ecological impacts are more far reaching than you might imagine—cat faeces can make their way into streams and the ocean, carrying pathogens implicated in the deaths of endangered dolphins. Within Haakarimata, released or abandoned cats often face short, harsh lives—and they inflict devastating harm on our native taonga, particularly in areas where rodents are now under control.

Our own Greg Townsend, a committed conservationist and former cat owner, recently spoke to the Waikato Times about the reality of what happens when domestic cats make their way into the forest. Read the full article here.

Whether furry friend or feral foe, it's best for everyone if cats are kept away from Haakarimata.

Thankfully, as public awareness grows around the suffering endured by feral cats—and the ecological damage they cause—we’re starting to see more proactive solutions. The new Peacocke subdivision in Kirikiriroa Hamilton is one of New Zealand’s first ‘cat-free’ neighbourhoods, designed to protect vulnerable long-tailed bats that roost nearby. In Australia, Canberra has long required cats to be kept indoors, and Melbourne recently introduced a ‘kitty curfew’ keeping both cats and wildlife safe at night.

If you have pets you can no longer care for, please be kind—don’t release them. Instead, contact the Hamilton SPCA or Paws 4 Life for support.