Credit DOC
Formats and related files:
Cats are the most common companion animals in New Zealand. However, cats are also highly efficient predators and are known to kill all kinds of native wildlife, including birds, lizards and insects.
Protecting wildlife from cats
You can minimise the impact your cat has on native wildlife by:
- Getting your cat de-sexed
- Putting a bell on your cat
- Not replacing your cat when it dies
- Keeping your cat inside at night
New Zealand’s indigenous species evolved in the absence of any mammalian predators, and so have little or no protection against animals like cats.
Forest & Bird encourages cat owners to minimize the impact their pets have on native wildlife. You can find out how to be a responsible cat owner by reading our fact sheet.