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Pet or Pest? |
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Cats,
dogs and ferrets… You know they are pets, but did you know they are also predators
and can be pests? Cats and dogs are part of the family in many New Zealand homes - they are loved pets, but they are predators of native wildlife and they can also be pests. Pet ferrets aren’t as common as cats and dogs in New Zealand homes. In fact many people believe that they should not be allowed as pets in New Zealand because they kill native birds. |
| What’s the
big deal? Why worry about whether cats, dogs and ferrets are pets or pests? New Zealand native species evolved without mammal predators such as cats, dogs and ferrets. Therefore native species didn’t develop defences (like flying) to protect themselves against mammal predators. When mammal predators were brought to New Zealand by people they hunted native species, particularly birds and big insects. The populations of some native species fell, some species became extinct and many species have become endangered. (For examples read True Stories) So it’s important to know about the risk cats, dogs and ferrets pose to New Zealand’s native species and what you can do to stop your pet becoming a pest. |
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Cats are pets in about
50% of New Zealand homes. Pet cats depend on people for their food and shelter. Even a pet
cat, that is well fed and looked after may still hunt. Cats are predators. It is part of a
cat’s natural behaviour to hunt. Cats can be pests. Some cats are abandoned and become strays. They roam towns and cities scavenging for food – they are urban pests and they sometimes hunt native species. If stray cats move away from human populations they will become feral. Feral cats are wild and live away from towns and cities. They do not depend on people for their food or shelter. They will hunt for food in forests and along rivers and beaches – where native birds like kiwi, kereru and dotterel live. All cats, domestic, stray and feral, can be a danger to populations of native birds, lizards and invertebrates. Link to True Stories |
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Dogs are often more
than pets, they are farm workers, hunting companions, guide dogs and some are even used in
the work to help threatened species like the kiwi. Dogs are often described as
"man’s best friend". But man’s best friend can be the kiwi’s
worst enemy. Dogs are natural hunters. Their hunting skills and keen sense of smell can be the death of native birds like the kiwi and little blue penguin. Stray and feral dogs are a danger to native wildlife. Pet dogs that are not controlled can also be pests. Link to True Stories |
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Some people have
ferrets as pets but ferrets are a big pest in New Zealand. Ferrets were brought to New Zealand to help control the rabbit population, because rabbits are a pest on New Zealand farms. Unfortunately the ferrets became an even bigger pest to native wildlife and they can also spread disease to farm animals and people. The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand would be pleased if no-one kept ferrets as pets in New Zealand because of their threat to New Zealand wildlife. Learn more about ferrets on the Department of Conservation website www.doc.govt.nz (go to the ‘pest’ section) Link to True Stories |
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Domestic – They are pets living in homes with
people. Domestic pets depend on people for food and shelter, but may still hunt because it
is their natural instinct. Stray – They are unowned. Stray cats and dogs usually live in towns and cities, scavenging for food. They may become truly feral if they move away from towns and cities. Feral – These cats, dogs and ferrets do not depend on people, they are wild. They live away from cities on farmland and in forests. |
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| Stop your pet from
becoming a pest… Do’s and Don’ts DO, DO, DO…
But please…
If you don’t want a pet anymore or if it has babies you can’t keep, do not abandon them – they may become wild and kill native wildlife. If you have pets you no longer want contact the RSPCA or take them to the vet to have them put to sleep. |
| Learn how to properly care for your cat or dog | |
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| New
Solutions…
homes
without cats and dogs.
Some New Zealanders are choosing to live in areas where cats and dogs are not allowed as pets or where there are rules about owning cats and dogs – like the cats and dogs have to be de-sexed so they can’t have babies. People are doing this so there will be less cats and dogs in the area to hunt wildlife near their homes. Examples where there are pet restrictions are the Five Jems Subdivision at Waihi Beach, Athenree near Tauranga and properties on the Kerikeri Inlet in Northland. Learn more about these areas in the Forest & Bird magazine – check the Pet or Pest? Resource page for details. |
| The Western Bay of Plenty District Council made a landmark
decision in November 1996 to ban cats and dogs from the Five Jems subdivision at Waihi
Beach. The Department of Conservation and Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society sought
the ban to protect sensitive bird populations in a neighbouring salt marsh reserve. Information from the Department of Conservation |
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Learn more
about cats, dogs and ferrets.. Laws | True Stories | Resources
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