Feral cat hunting category returns to North Canterbury hunting competition

The North Canterbury Hunting Competition has bought back the feral cat hunting category.

It follows the cancellation in April of the annual hunt which was criticised after announcing a new category for those aged 14 and under to hunt feral cats.

Feral cats are considered a pest and a risk to New Zealand’s biosecurity.

New Zealand's largest conservation group, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, has estimated that feral cats could be responsible for the deaths of as many as 1.1 million native birds every year, as well as tens of millions of non-native birds.

In April, Boffa Miskell biosecurity consultant Dr Helen Blackie, who studied feral cats for two decades, told Radio New Zealand they were responsible for killing up to 100 million birds in New Zealand each year.

"Historically, we know that feral cats were responsible for the extinction of six bird species and are leading agents of decline in populations of birds, bats, frogs and lizards."

The North Canterbury Hunting Competition’s category has new rules and proceeds will go “to the Rotherham Community to help fund teachers and pool upkeep.”

Hunters will receive one entry into a prize draw for each feral cat thats entered the category.

Cats may only be hunted with box traps and can only be killed using a minimum of a .22 rifle.

SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said there was still a significant risk that someone’s pet will be killed.

"I highly doubt these people will be carrying microchip scanners to identify these cats

"Even if they did have scanners, they may not be able to use them.

“Companion cats can act feral when they’re trapped in a cage, making identification very difficult.

"At the end of the day, is little to no difference in the physical appearance of feral, stray and pet cats."

Christchurch Animal Save is organising a protest at the final weigh-in on Sunday at 12pm.

"There are far more effective strategies to protect native wildlife from cats, like mandatory desexing, registration and microchipping. We also need more funding for rescue and adoption programmes.

"Indiscriminately killing cats considered feral and wild is inherently cruel and not a realistic solution."