Cats

Cats are beloved members of our families and communities. Whilst many cat owners are responsible and desex their cats, we have too many companion cats that are allowed to breed and have unplanned litters of kittens. Often, these kittens experience sickness and death with many needing help from SPCA and other cat rescues. These kittens can also end up as stray cats and further contribute to the cycle of cat overpopulation in New Zealand. Cat overpopulation is a problem for cat welfare and causes problems for our neighbours and wildlife. In this article learn how you can advocate locally for more responsible cat ownership.

Your home is a safe and special space for you, your family, and pets to live in. When a baby arrives, parents will ‘baby-proof’ the house to ensure the place is safe for little ones. But paw-rents should also do a safety sweep of their home as well – as pets can be in danger from household items and chemicals, too!

Learn how to help a timid or shy cat settle in, build trust, and feel safe with tips on creating a calm space, gentle interaction, and routine. Whether you’ve adopted a timid cat from a shelter, taken in a stray, or inherited a pet from a friend or relative, helping them feel safe is the first step to forming a deep, rewarding bond.

Companion cats are loving members of many New Zealand families. Feral cats are independent with no need for human assistance to support them in their daily lives. Somewhere in between are stray cats, which vary in how much they interact with people and rely on them for important things such as food and shelter.

Most New Zealanders know about donating blood to help people. Far fewer realise that dogs, cats and other companion species can also donate blood and that these donations can be the difference between life and death for pets undergoing emergency treatment, major surgery or suffering from serious illness.
Around the world, countries have developed very different ways of sourcing this life-saving resource. Some rely on community volunteers, others on veterinary-based donor registers. New Zealand stands out for taking a very different approach.

Pets can be wonderful companions for children, helping them learn empathy, responsibility, and kindness. There are also health benefits such as lower levels of obesity, allergies and anxiety in children raised with pets. But safe, positive relationships don’t just happen: they need guidance, supervision, and an understanding of what animals need to feel safe.

A new baby brings big changes to your home, and your pets may find this unsettling. Starting that relationship right and preparing before the arrival of a baby is an important part of reducing stress for everyone in the household and building the foundation of a long and happy relationship between your child and your pets.

Once you have decided that you are going to bring a cat into your life (after some research and careful thinking about whether a cat is right for you and how to look after a cat), it is important that you make some preparations before getting your cat/kitten.

Cat respond best to gentle and respectful handling techniques.

Cats cannot be physically forced or manipulated to do what you want and they do not respond to punishment. Here are some tips on teaching your cat without punishment.