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New Zealand's million or so cats have a reason to purr louder after the release of a new code to protect them. Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee released the Companion Cats Code of Welfare.
Mr Anderton said New Zealand had one of the highest cat ownership rates in the world with an estimated 900,000 to 1.5 million moggies lying on laps around the nation.
The code outlines 12 minimum standards of care and best practice and offers practical advice.
It would apply to people responsible for cats including breeders, catteries, shelters and pet shops.
Standards cover areas such as food, injury, use of collars and euthanasia.
"Ownership of a cat should be a commitment for the entire life of the animal," Mr Anderton said.
Auckland Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other groups helped draft the code.
- NZPA
