Predator Free 2050 Stop the war on cats

Petition to the Minister of Conservation and the Department of Conservation

Stop the Addition of Feral Cats to Predator Free 2050. Demand Evidence-Based, Humane Alternatives

To: Hon Tama Potaka, Minister of Conservation, and the Department of Conservation

We, the undersigned residents and citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand, call on the Government to:

1. Pause the addition of feral cats to the Predator Free 2050 target species list until comprehensive welfare safeguards and humane alternatives are established.

2. Introduce mandatory microchipping for all companion cats to prevent misidentification and protect beloved family members from being killed, acknowledging that although microchipping is currently the only means of definitively distinguishing companion cats, this is not currently legally required and many companion cats, especially older ones, are not microchipped. 

3. Acknowledge that, like companion cats, unowned, lost, abandoned, dumped, and loosely owned cats living in and near cities and towns (community cats, who rely on people to meet their needs) are best managed by desexing and community care, not by ongoing slaughter. Scientific research confirms that managed community cats are a low-level ecological threat.  

4. Fund prevention, not poison, by redirecting Predator Free 2050 innovation funding toward humane solutions including:

• Nationwide accessible desexing programmes for companion cats
• Community cat care initiatives including Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programmes
• Predator-proof fencing and habitat protection and enhancement, strengthening reserves
• Fertility control research, non-lethal population management, ex-situ conservation

5. Address human responsibility first by implementing serious penalties for cat abandonment and dumping, improving breeding regulations, and supporting responsible guardianship.

6. Establish independent welfare oversight and transparency for predator control operations, including:

• Public reporting of animals killed, methods used, and welfare incidents
• Independent animal welfare assessments before any eradication programme
• Community consultation and consent requirements
• Protection for whistleblowers who report welfare concerns

6. Invest in proven conservation approaches such as offshore sanctuaries and habitat restoration that protects native species without requiring mass killing of introduced animals.

Why This Matters

Misidentification is inevitable. Without mandatory microchipping, there is no reliable way to distinguish companion cats from feral cats in the field. Your family member could be trapped or killed. Community cats are also at risk of being misidentified as feral. A lot of people in the community care deeply about community cats, desexing them and organising or providing lifelong care.  

Lethal management of feral cats doesn’t work long-term. Even DOC acknowledges that eradication is impossible to achieve. Removing cats from an area triggers a “vacuum effect” – new cats move rapidly into cleared territory, negating conservation gains.

Humane alternatives exist. Communities around the world successfully manage community cat populations through desexing, TNR programmes, and community care. These approaches are proven to stabilise and reduce populations over time and prevent more cats from entering feral populations. Investing in prevention and non-lethal management aligns with Aotearoa New Zealand’s values of compassion, innovation, and evidence-based solutions.

This is a human problem, not a cat problem. Cats didn’t put themselves in the wild – humans did through abandonment, failure to desex, and irresponsible guardianship. Any effective strategy must address these root causes.

Biodiversity needs smarter solutions. Over 90% of public submissions on DOC’s consultation backed improved feral cat management, not mass killing. New Zealand deserves an effective conservation strategy that protects both native species and animal welfare.

Sign This Petition If You Believe:

✓ Companion and Community (stray) cats deserve protection from misidentification
✓ Feral cats deserve protection from inhumane methods of culling
✓ Humane, evidence-based solutions should come before lethal control
✓ Prevention and responsible guardianship must be prioritised
✓ New Zealand can lead the world in compassionate conservation
✓ Transparency and welfare oversight are essential
✓ Our Government should listen to the overwhelming public support for better approaches

Add your voice today. Together, we can build a kinder, smarter future for all animals in Aotearoa.

By signing this petition, you’re joining New Zealanders calling for humane, effective conservation that reflects our values. The petition will be delivered to the Minister of Conservation and DOC leadership.

Promoted by the Animal Justice Party – advocating for freedom, fairness, and kindness for all animals.