Controversial three cat pet limit comes into force in several New Zealand towns

A new council by-law limiting residential households to three cats, is now in force in the Rangitikei District of New Zealand.



The controversial "three cat rule" was proposed after the district council received complaints about noise and smells and will mean residents in urban council areas won't be able to own more than three cats which are over three months old. Cllr Michael Hodder said: “This is a case of dealing with nuisances.

“We haven’t instituted a reign of cat inspectors. It’s not like your dog registration.” Mayor Chalky Leary said the council simply wants the authority to act: “We’re not going to count people’s cats. We don’t care how many cats they’ve got. So long as the cats are happy, the neighbours are happy and everybody else is happy.”


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While some pet owners felt the limit was unnecessary, others pointed out that cat breeding in the area combined with a lack of pets being neutered had contributed to the problem. The law does not apply to animal welfare charities but also outlaws pigs, beehives, and roosters from urban homes and restricts households from keeping any more than 12 chickens.