Target: Peter Scott, Chair of Canterbury Regional Council
Goal: End legalized hunting of feral cats and promote trap, neuter, and release systems.
A region of New Zealand recently created a stir when it announced that children would be allowed to compete in an annual hunting contest. The North Canterbury Hunting Competition has made its name on the authorized culling and slaughter of feral cats. Hundreds of individuals enter this competition for the chance to see who can shoot and kill the most felines. Following backlash at the addition of a category that would include only children as competitors, this year’s event was canceled. The controversy about how the region handles feral cats remains, however.
The killing of these cats is still authorized, with justifications about the animals’ supposed negative effects on other wildlife like birds and on farm animals. But animal welfare advocates argue that more humane and life-saving methods exist for controlling the populations of wild-born cats. The method that has gained the most traction in other places dealing with high feral cat numbers is a trap, neuter, and release system. In other words, the cats would be temporarily captured, sterilized to help control populations, and then returned to their outdoor homes. Since these animals are averse to human touch and contact, tranquilizer darts or darts equipped to sterilize the animals are sometimes used.
Sign the petition below to encourage widespread consideration of a technique that can save lives while mitigating damage.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Chair Scott,
The shooting of feral cats has somehow become an acceptable and even glorified practice in North Canterbury. Instead of focusing on shooting that claims lives, why not focus on a type of shooting that can save them? Trap, neuter, and release methods are gaining in popularity across the world and are proving to be an effective and humane system for addressing the problems caused by feral cats.
Please put your support behind this conservation measure that values the lives of all innocent animals.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Brocken Inaglory
