The feral cat classification has actually been renewed for the North Canterbury Hunting Competition, simply 2 months after it was cancelled in the middle of reaction from animal rights activists.
The classification has some brand-new guidelines this time around.
For example, the earlier variation of the competitors motivated kids’ participation — and now, entrants in the feral cat hunt should be from the Open department, instead of the Junior department (under 14s).
But the competitors guidelines include that hunters under 14 years of ages can go into the Open department, if they pay a $50 cost and are just qualified for Open department rewards, not Junior department ones.
Other guidelines consist of that box traps should be utilized, “permitting gentle capture and feral animal recognition”; hunting should be “well outside any residential/lifestyle block locations (10km minimum)”; hunters “should interact with farmers and their neighbouring residential or commercial properties when hunting”; and, “if in doubt do not eliminate”.
The competitors is set to range from June 23 to June 25.
The classification has a $500 money lucky draw reward, with one entry for each cat captured.
The competitors organisers will contribute $5 for each cat captured to the NZ Conservation trust, the competitors’s Facebook page said.
“Choose our native types over feral cats,” a post on the page checks out.
SAFE For Animals slam contest’s revival
SAFE criticised the competitors in April, revealing issue that cats which aren’t feral would be captured in the crossfire.
The charity duplicated those worry about the latest statement.
“I extremely question these individuals will be bring microchip scanners to recognize these cats,” SAFE representative Will Appelbe said.
“Even if they did have scanners, they might not have the ability to utilize them.
“Companion cats can act feral when they’re caught in a cage, making recognition really challenging.
“At completion of the day, there is little to no distinction in the physical look of feral, roaming and animal cats.
“There are much more reliable techniques to secure native wildlife from cats… Indiscriminately killing cats thought about feral and wild is naturally harsh and not a sensible service.”
