From July 1 next year, all cats in the district, aged more than four months, will need to be microchipped. The district council consulted on the issue in 2019 and found of 311 online survey participants, 78 per cent thought cats should be microchipped and 75 per cent supported desexing of cats before puberty. However, the district council started its bylaw for keeping animals, poultry and bees consultation process last year with provisions relating to microchipping and desexing of cats omitted. Most submitters were seeking control measures such as microchipping, desexing, limiting numbers, keeping cats inside at night, and registering. The panel, chaired by councillor Grant Miller, decided the bylaw should include provision for cats to be microchipped.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 23, 2021 21:00 UTC