Public meeting to discuss stray cat problem (+video)

A public meeting to discuss the prevalence of stray cats in Rotorua is being held next week.

The meeting, organised by the recently formed Bay of Plenty Community Cat Project, aims to put strategies in place to decrease the stray cat populations around the region within three to five years.

Formed by the Rotorua SPCA and Tauranga's ARRC Wildlife Trust, the project is backed by a number of organisations and councils, including the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Rotorua Lakes Council and the Department of Conservation.

Within 10 years, it is hoped the stray cat populations will be minimised and managed, protecting both the native wildlife in the region as well as ensuring the health and wellbeing of owned cats, and improving cat welfare in general.

While the exact number of stray cat colonies in Rotorua is not yet known, some have already been identified, including one large population that roams Eat Streat at night in the city centre, and causes issues with fossicking for food around the local eateries.

Project co-founder and Rotorua SPCA Manager Eve Johnson urges people to come along to the public meeting to hear about the project; to have their voices heard and start relevant and vital conservations around the project, its work and its goals moving forward.

"We have already started some interesting conversations about this project on social media and we would like people to have a chance to come along and learn, listen and get involved. We want to hear their thoughts on this project and how we can all work together collaboratively to get the results we all want," she said.

"We also want to encourage people to register unowned cat colonies around their neighbourhoods. It is as simple as going to www.bopcats.co.nz or calling our team on 0508 BOP CATS to find out more."

The public meeting for the BOPCCP is being held at the Blue Baths, Government Gardens, on Tuesday, December 8 at 6pm.

Light refreshments will be available.