Feral and stray cats

Far North District Council supports responsible cat ownership which includes microchipping, de-sexing and keeping cats contained at night, to reduce their environmental impact on wildlife, including native birds and geckos. The council also encourages the use of live capture traps in urban areas so microchipped domestic cats can be distinguished from feral or stray cats by veterinary clinics.

What do they look like?

Feral and stray cats originate from domesticated cats. They are usually short-haired and slightly built, with a large head and sharp features. They are often in poor physical condition.

Feral cats have none of their needs provided by humans and their population size fluctuates largely independently of humans. They do not need to live around centres of human habitation and their population is self-sustaining, requiring no input from the domestic cat population.

Stray cats have been lost or abandoned by humans but may still have many of their needs indirectly supplied by humans and live around centres of human habitation. Stray cats may rely on humans for food but they are usually wary of humans and may be aggressive when cornered or captured.

Cats can be found in most terrestrial habitats, including urban areas, production landscapes (e.g. farms and orchards) and natural areas (e.g. forests, dunes and wetlands).

Why is it a problem?

Cats are generalist predators and can have large home ranges. It is estimated that feral, stray and pet cats kill up to 100 million birds in New Zealand each year. They are a major predator of kiwi chicks and also eat eggs, lizards, invertebrates and frogs.

Cats are prolific breeders. Females usually take six to nine months to reach sexual maturity but kittens as young as four months can become pregnant. Pregnancy lasts about 68 days and litters are most commonly of three to six kittens. A female can have more than one litter each year. Stray cats have higher survival rates than feral cats and faster reproduction rates.

Control methods

Options include live capture or kill traps. When trapping feral cats care needs to be taken to avoid trapping domestic cats. Live capture traps include any secure box or trap that it is safe to use around residential areas.

A person who, for the purpose of capturing alive a mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian, sets a trap or causes a trap to be set must inspect the trap, or cause a competent person to inspect that trap, within 12 hours after sunrise on each day the trap remains set, beginning on the day immediately after the day on which the trap is set.

Kill traps can be used in a variety of situations outside of residential areas. Kill traps are SA2 or (Steve Allan traps). These traps use meat-based baits.

Feral cats can be very difficult to trap as they are naturally cautious, and a previous bad experience will make them wary. Sometimes it is best to fix the door open for two or three nights until the cat is comfortable entering the trap, before setting it. Do not attempt to touch or pick up a wildcat, or even a kitten. They bite and scratch and can spread disease. See a doctor if you get bitten by a cat.

Related information

For source and additional information, visit Northland Regional Council.