Call to keep cats caged

BEN WATSON/Suburbans

HANDLE WITH CARE: Dee Pigneguy holds one of the rare chickens she is caring for that have been threatened by cats.

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A prominent Shore environmentalist suggests cat owners keep their pets in cages in their back gardens to stop them killing native birds.

Dee Pigneguy says owners need to take responsibility for their pets’ actions.

"You wouldn’t let your kids run around on the streets so why let your cats?"

The former North Shore Forest and Bird president says cats killing native birds is widespread and the only solution is cat aviaries like ones used in Australia and other countries.

"If you set up your house well, they go out the cat flap into the enclosure and can’t get into the garden, only back into the house."

The Glenfield resident is minding rare chickens and says she needs to watch them constantly.

Her comment follows an Auckland Regional Council plea for cat owners to consider birds’ safety.

Nesting season has started so birds and chicks are at risk from predators, it says. North Shore ornithologist Gordon Ell says it occurs every day outside his window.

"I have some tui building a nest and the neighbour’s cat is sneaking around the bottom of the tree. It caught a whole lot of young blackbirds recently.

"We have to be committed to caring for our cats, putting them in proper care on holiday, using a tag and collar and keeping them in during the day when young native birds are being fed and learning to fly."

Regional council parks and heritage committee deputy chairwoman Christine Rose says cats have wiped out species, such as the Stephen’s Island wren.

- © Fairfax NZ News