Cat owners can get their furry feline friends desexed for free this winter as part of a campaign to protect seabirds and other wildlife on the Mahurangi East peninsula. The offer comes from conservation support group Restore Rodney East (RRE) and covers the entire peninsula, from Sandspit and Snells Beach through to Algies Bay, Scotts Landing and Martins Bay. RRE facilitator Sarah Churchouse said the free desexing was being made possible thanks to support from the Companion Animals Trust, SPCA Snip ’n’ Chip campaign and Coast Pet Care in Silverdale.
“This is part of a wider campaign to protect seabirds and other wildlife on the peninsula,” she said. “This gives us a chance to promote responsible cat ownership, help owners and cats prepare for a National Cat Act, and reduce unwanted litters and the number of feral cats.” An Environment Select Committee report last year recommended a national law requiring cats to be registered, desexed and microchipped, similar to that for dogs.
Although Mahurangi East is the main priority for the campaign, Churchouse added that there may be scope to include some cats from the wider Mahurangi area. Info: Sarah Churchouse.
