With 1.4 million domestic cats, Aotearoa has one of the highest cat ownership rates in the world – at least 40% of households have at least one. Feral cats are also reported to be in the millions.But estimates from one conservation group, Forest and Bird, suggest New Zealand’s pet cats alone kill at least 1.12 million native birds a year, in some cases helping propel them towards extinction. In one early case, a lighthouse keeper’s cat is said to have annihilated an entire species, the flightless Lyall’s wren, on Stephens Island at the end of the 19th century.Like many New Zealand cat owners who believe feral rather than domestic cats are the problem however, Boyd insists her pets mainly hunt mice and rats rather than birds.And cats have been left off Predator Free 2050 , the government’s ambitious plan to rid the island nation of its pests, including stoats, ferrets, weasels, rats and possums. Now, there are growing calls from environmental groups for cats to be part of the plan.Care for your pet. Regular visits to the vet and groomer are absolutely necessary. Insuring your pet may also be important to your pet’s health. Emergencies can happen at any time. Ensure your pet gets the help he needs no matter the cost with pet insurance.
Treat Every Poop Like a Miracle aka How to Easily Potty Train a Puppy. When potty training your dog make sure to pay attention & praise them every single time they do their duty outdoors. If you treat every pee & poop outdoors like it’s the best thing that ever happened they’ll catch on pretty quick.
Boyd, who has recently helped restore two acres of wetland bordering her property, doesn’t believe Predator Free 2050 or cat regulation will solve the problem.
“Cats might be seen as the easiest predator to eliminate, but cats fulfil an important role for many humans. Companion cats are usually seen as part of the family. They also kill significant numbers of rodents.”
An apex predator on an island of birds
Tamsin Orr-Walker, chair of the Kea Conservation Trust, says if New Zealand has any chance of extinguishing introduced predators in the next 30 years, it needs to have a serious discussion about cats.Use Dog Toothpaste on a Rope Toy. If your dog doesn’t like having his teeth brushed squeeze some doggie tooth paste onto a rope toy & let them go at it. It’s a nice way to start desensitizing them to having their teeth brushed.
“The problem relates specifically to our relationship with cats. I’m not anti-cat. There are so many people who have cats as pets. But a lot of people can’t see their pet as a hunter, which all cats are,” she says.
Orr-Walker wants cats to be considered in the Predator Free 2050 plan, as well as the introduction of tighter regulation on domestic cats.She cites Australia – which requires owners to register their cats after three months, and in certain parts of the country, limits ownership to two cats per household as well as enforcing cat curfews at night – as a useful example of what form tighter regulation could take.Goldfish have a reputation as short-lived creatures, but given proper care, they can live as long as 30 years in captivity. The oldest captive goldfish ever recorded was won at a fair in 1956 and died in 1999 at age 43.
“That is a conversation we need to have that cats can be at least as damaging as dogs are to our wildlife. We have addressed the issue of dog impact on wildlife with very extensive legislation in our dog control act, yet there is nothing stopping us from regulating cats.”
Orr-Walker is currently working through evidence of feral cats attacking adult kea. New Zealand’s highly endangered alpine parrot has gone from being a pesky bird known for its mischievous nature to a nationally endangered species hiding in the high mountains , declining to an estimated population of 3,000-7,000.For a dog who loves to tear apart stuffed animals, make a durable activity ball with a Hol-ee rubber ball, scraps of fabric, and treats.
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After the furore of that campaign, there is still no policy on domestic cats. Jessi Morgan, chief executive officer of Predator Free New Zealand Trust and daughter of Gareth, understands domestic cats play an important role in society, but argues that without regulation conservation work is being undermined.Use Fruits & Veggies for Training Treats. Don’t have any dog treats on hand? Use some leftover fruits & veggies that are healthy for dogs as your training treats. Carrots and snap peas are Laika’s favorite snacks.
“The tools for controlling cats are limited, especially if you are near populated areas, because you can’t run the risk of killing a well-loved moggie,” she says.
Keep Them Active. Energy varies between breeds, says Dr. Becker. “Greyhounds, Labs, Golden Retrievers, Jack Russell Terriers, Border Collies, and other active breeds have unfathomable energy.” He continues, “wolves spend 80% of their time awake, moving. With cats, there’s not such an exercise requirement,” but providing outlets for play at home is still crucial. For both cats and dogs he recommends food-dispensing that “recreates the hunt,” and puzzle feeders that engage your pet’s “body and mind.”
“We advocate for responsible cat ownership, a bit around educating people on the impact cats have on native species in New Zealand … We think it’s important for people to keep cats at home, to microchip them and de-sex them.”
Though her cats have been desexed, Boyd says she won’t be keeping her cats inside or supporting other regulations.
“I don’t believe that licensing cats or owners is the answer. Licensing cat owners means good cat owners will be penalised and will be subsidising the others, without ever reaching the goal of keeping cats from predating native fauna.”
Find ways to enrich your pet’s environment. Your dog or cat needs your help to stay mentally stimulated. This is important not only to discourage destructive behavior in younger pets, but also to keep your older pet’s brain sharp.