On this page you can find everything you need to know about keeping a cat in Selwyn district.

Cat2imageMicrochipping and registering your cat

All domestic cats over the age of four months in Selwyn district must be microchipped and registered with the approved microchip registry New Zealand Companion Animals Register (NZCAR). Doing this is the best way to ensure your lost pet gets home. It is also considered key to being a responsible pet owner.

The requirements for microchipping and registration come under the Keeping Animals, Poultry and Bees Bylaw which was adopted by the Council on 12 May 2021.

Cost

Cat owners are responsible for the cost of microchipping and registration. Microchipping at a local vet can be between $15 and $20, plus vet fees.

Registration with NZCAR is a one-off fee of $15 when you register pets online yourself. Most commonly this is done for you at the time of your vet visit (cost will vary) or by SPCA/Rescues at the time of adoption.

Register your cat on NZCAR now.

Frequently asked questions

What is microchipping?

A microchip is a permanent method of identification. The chip is about the same size as a grain of rice and is placed under the skin by a vet by injection. It is the same as having an injection. Cats tolerate the procedure well. Each chip has a unique identification code which can be read by an electronic scanner, similar to a barcode reader. The code is recorded alongside the owner's contact details on a national database, the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, maintained by the New Zealand Companion Animal Council.

There's a one-off fee to register your cat. The paperwork and registration are carried out by your vet at the time of microchipping. In addition to the microchipping costs the registration fee is $15 when you register pets online yourself. This fee is a one-off charge for the life of the cat, and the profits are used to promote animal welfare causes in New Zealand. Owners are able to access the database and update their personal details in the event that their phone numbers or address change.

Where can I get my cat microchipped? Will the Council do it?

You can get your cat microchipped at your local vet. It’s a quick procedure and usually done at the same time as your pet’s regular vet visit. The Council has no funding for free microchipping cats at this stage.

Why should I microchip my cat?

It’s part of being a responsible pet owner. Your cat may go missing for a number of reasons. Often cats are also presumed to be strays and are taken to shelters by well-meaning people. Microchipping allows veterinarians and animal shelters, such as SPCA, to contact you when your cat is found.

It's especially important during a civil defence emergency or if your cat is sick, injured or disorientated, and increases the chance for a lost cat to be reunited with their owner.

What should I do if I find a stray cat? Will Council look after stray cats?

If you find a stray cat please take them to a cat rescue, SPCA or your local vet. Council will not be picking up stray cats.

What will happen if I don’t follow the bylaw? 

The Council will be following an educational approach where possible, to help pet owners become responsible owners. Enforcement is a last resort where other avenues have not been successful. An owner who repeatedly refuses to microchip their cat may be prosecuted for breach of the bylaw.

How can I register my cat? Do I have to do it every year like I do for my dog?

You have to register your cat with the approved microchip registry, the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, maintained by the New Zealand Companion Animal Council.

There's a one-off fee to register your cat which lasts for their lifetime. The paperwork and registration are usually carried out by your vet at the time of microchipping. In addition to the microchipping costs the registration fee is $15 when you register pets online yourself. Most commonly this is done for you at the time of your vet visit (cost will vary) or by SPCA/Rescues at the time of adoption.