Responsible Cat Ownership
Why should I microchip and de-sex my cat?
De-sexing and microchipping is good for our cats and good for our native wildlife!
Female cats can start reproducing from the age of five months and have up to four litters of six kittens every year.
De-sexing benefits include:
- less unwanted litters and strays which prey on wildlife like native birds and lizards to survive
- your cat is less likely to roam and be a victim of a road accident
- your cat is less likely to fight with other cats which can lead to injury and infection
Microchipping and registering your cat means vets, animal shelters and councils can easily contact the owner of lost cats. It's especially important during a civil defence emergency or if the cat is sick, injured or disorientated.
Cats are often presumed to be strays and are taken to shelters by well-meaning people but may belong to people nearby. Microchipping and registering your cats means they can be easily reunited with their family.
What is microchipping and how do I register my cat?
A microchip is a permanent method of identification. The chip is about the same size as a grain of rice and is placed under the skin by a vet by injection. It is the same as having an injection, although the needle is slightly larger. Cats tolerate the procedure well.
Each chip has a unique identification code which can be read by an electronic scanner. The code is recorded alongside the owner's contact details on a national database, the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, operated by Companion Animals New Zealand, a registered charity.
In addition to the microchipping costs, there is a one-off registration fee of $15 when you register pets online yourself. Most commonly this is done for you at the time of your vet visit (cost will vary) or by SPCA or cat rescues at the time of adoption.
Owners can access the database and update their personal details if their phone numbers or address changes.
What is the minimum age to get my cat microchipped or de-sexed?
Our Animals bylaw requires all cats more than six months old to be microchipped and de-sexed.
Your vet or local de-sexing clinic will be able to provide advice on the best time for your cat to be de-sexed and microchipped.
As an indication however:
- Kittens must be at least 12 weeks (3 months) old
- Mother cats must have weaned their kittens - usually around 8 to 10 weeks.
What if my cat is too old to have the de-sexing surgery?
If your vet deems your cat is too old or sick to undergo de-sexing surgery then you will need to supply a vet certificate and your cat will be given an exemption.
How much will it cost me to microchip and de-sex my cat?
The below fees are subject to change and were current as at 19 December 2022.
Note: The SPCA and Council has limited funding available to help qualifying cat owners with the costs for de-sexing and microchipping. See the next FAQ for more detail.
| Veterinary Clinc | Desexing | Microchipping | NZ Companion Animal Register |
| Totally Vets Taumarunui | Male $95.00 Female $140 ($40 surcharge for pregnant cat) | $64.50 or $51.50 (with an additional procedure e.g. desexing or health check). | These prices include registration on the NZ Companion Animal Register. |
| VetEnt King Country | Male $123.27 Female $180.00 | $50.00 | $20.00 |
| Ruapehu Vet Services | Male $91.00 Female $140.00 | $65 | The price is included in the microchip. |
What funding help is available for de-sexing and microchipping costs?
SPCA Snip ‘n’ Chip programme
The SPCA Snip ‘n’ Chip programme provides funding support for eligible pet owners to have their pet de-sexed and micochipped at a participating local vet.
In Ruapehu the following vet clinics are part of the scheme:
Totally Vets Taumarunui
168 Hakiaha Street, Taumarunui
07 895 8899
VetEnt King Country
2 Turaki Street, Taumarunui
07 895 7585
Ruapehu Veterinary Services
100 Seddon Street, Raetihi
06 385 4611
Contact the vet directly or book online at: desexing.spca.nz
Council de-sexing and microchipping vouchers
Council also has a limited number of vouchers to assist with de-sexing and microchipping costs.
If you cannot get assistance through the SPCA Snip ‘n’ Chip scheme, please call the Council Compliance Team on 07 895 8188 to see if we can help.
How can you tell if cats are microchipped and/or de-sexed?
Cats can be scanned to see if they have a microchip.
Vets can provide a de-sexing certificate to owners if they've completed the surgery.
What if my cat is too old to have the de-sexing surgery?
If your vet deems your cat is too old or sick to undergo de-sexing surgery then you will need to supply a vet certificate and your cat will be given an exemption.
What enforcement action does Council take against cat owners who do not de-sex and microchip their cats?
There are currently no fines.
However, if we find out you have a cat that isn't de-sexed, we'll contact you to remind you of the requirement to de-sex and microchip your cat as well as provide some guidance on how to achieve that.
An owner who repeatedly refuses to microchip and/or de-sex their cat may be prosecuted for breach of the Animals Bylaw.
What else can I do to be a more responsible cat owner?
Here are some other suggestions for minimising the harm your cat could have on other people, animals and the environment:
- use a deterrent collar to reduce your cat's ability to catch native birds
- give your cat a curfew to avoid night time hunting
- cat aviaries are a popular measure used a lot overseas to keep cats safe and confined, but give them some outdoor exercise.
- make sure your cats do not use neighbour's gardens for toileting.
