Cats in our District
Cats are part of many households in the Queenstown Lakes District and Upper Clutha, and they’re a familiar part of everyday life in our communities. At the same time, our district is home to some of Aotearoa’s most precious native wildlife. This page brings together simple, practical information to help keep cats safe while supporting the health of our local ecosystems.
Companion, stray, and feral cats
Understanding the difference between types of cats helps ensure the right care and the right management approach.
Companion cats are owned, cared for, and rely on people for food, shelter, and wellbeing. They may roam, but they have a home and someone responsible for their welfare.
Stray cats are lost or abandoned companion cats. They live around people and may rely on human‑provided food sources. They are not wild and can often be rehomed.
Feral cats live independently of humans, survive by hunting, and avoid human contact. They have significant impacts on native wildlife. Management of feral cats is led by DOC and other agencies.
Responsible ownership
Small actions make a big difference. Being a responsible cat owner means you’ll be keeping your cat safe and helping protect our native wildlife too.
The basics of responsible ownership are:
Microchipping and registering your cat with the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, (helping ensure lost pets can be quickly identified and reunited with their families)
Ensuring your companion cat is desexed
What's coming next
We’re in the early stages of a districtwide, partnership‑led approach to cat management. Over time, we’ll add more resources, stories from our partners and practical tools to support cat owner.