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Nelson City Council & Tasman District Council Cat Management Bylaw adopted

In the last month both of our local councils have implemented an updated Cat Management Bylaw. For Nelson Council this effect came in on the 19th of December 2024, and for Tasman District Council this was on the 1st of January 2025.

The main bylaw changes are the requirements for all cats to be microchipped, this microchip be registered with NZCAR and desexed. For Nelson this is for all cats over 4 months of age, and in Tasman those over 6 months of age. For those of us that already have cats we have until June 2026 to comply with the bylaw.

Here with Town & Country Vet cat microchipping is a straightforward procedure that can be done without any sedation. The microchip is around the size of a grain of rice and sits under the skin on the top of your pet’s neck. As well as being an identifier to let us reunite pets they can also be used with some cool tech like pet doors and feeders!

Having your pet microchipped lets us reunite lost and injured animals quickly!

If you need to check if your cat is microchipped or registered, please feel free to contact Town & Country Vet and we can check for you. If you haven’t updated the details recently then it is worth checking the NZCAR database at Companion Animals Home » Companion Animal Register to make sure your contact details is correct.

If your pet needs microchipped call us and we can book an appointment to have this done. Doing this at the same time as your pet’s health check or desexing can also be done and is a cheaper way to do this.

If you want to read about the specifics of the bylaws then they are available at Cat management bylaw – Nelson City Council and Cat Management Bylaw | Tasman District Council.

We hope this bylaw makes it easier for us to make sure we can care for our local cats and if they get lost make sure they get back to the families that love them faster.

 

Celebrating Vet Nurse and Vet Tech awareness week

Time for us to celebrate and give thanks to our dedicated Vet nurses and Vet technician team. Check out the latest on the NZVNA website here

” During Vet Nurse Awareness Week, we take a moment to reflect on the critical roles that vet nurses play in our communities. Their duties encompass a wide range of responsibilities, from assisting in surgeries to monitoring anaesthesia, administering medications, and providing essential comfort to anxious or injured animals. Vet nurses are also responsible for educating pet owners on proper animal care, nutrition, and preventive healthcare measures.

But it’s not just about their technical skills; it’s their unwavering dedication and genuine love for animals that truly set them apart.”

 

Waimea Weekly : Influx of baby birds

“Spring is just around the corner; birds are already displaying their courtship moves and it won’t be long until vet clinics have an influx of baby birds….

Coming up to spring it is best to leave baby birds alone because juveniles on the ground will be fed by their parents…

All vet clinic and the SPCA are drop off points for injured birds”

To read the full article click HERE

 

 

Have your say on the Tasman District Cat Management Bylaw

“These are key steps in promoting responsible cat ownership and minimizing potential nuisance issues caused by cats.

The bylaw is different to feral cat management which is dealt with through our Pest Management Plan.

Microchipping and registration support cat welfare by quickly reuniting lost cats with their families, while reducing the financial burden on rescue centres. For example, when a lost cat cannot easily be identified and reunited with their family, the rescue centres and vets use valuable resources caring for the cat, trying to track down their owners and if all else fails, rehoming the cat. A quick reunion also places far less stress on a displaced cat.

De-sexing cats will reduce the number of unwanted and stray kittens, once again reducing strain on rescue centres and minimizing nuisance. A de-sexed cat is also less inclined to roam, which may reduce instances of cats becoming lost or injured, fighting, or causing issues on neighbouring properties.”

Have your say on the Tasman District Council website HERE 

 

 

RNZ reported that “Biosecurity New Zealand said it was the first time the disease babesiosis has been detected in a dog in New Zealand.

It comes from the tick-borne parasite Babesia gibsoni.

Biosecurity NZ spokesperson Dr Mary van Andel said an investigation was underway”

See article HERE

New Zealand Biosecurity advised the below:

What should dog owners do?

Dog owners should make sure their animals’ flea and tick treatments are up-to-date. A range of tick treatments or combined flea and tick products are available over the counter in New Zealand. Owners should ask their vets about the best product for their particular circumstance.

B. gibsoni can also be spread through dog bites, so we recommend limiting any fighting between dogs. If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, talk to your veterinarian.

What is Biosecurity New Zealand doing about the parasite?

Our investigation is focused on how the dog in Canterbury became infected and understanding if there are any other cases in the country.

We are working with the owners of the affected dog and of other dogs it has been in contact with to identify possible pathways. The affected dog was euthanised at its owner’s request because it was extremely unwell.

For more information follow the link HERE

The Regional Transport Committee has accepted a proposal for a 12-week trial of dogs on our eBus network for the Nelson and Tasman region. The trial will begin on 1 April 2024.

What you need to know as a pet owner:

Before you hop on board, there are a few rules to remember to make sure everyone has a safe journey.
– Dogs must be muzzled and leashed.
– Small dogs can either be muzzled or in a carry case.
– Dogs can only travel during off-peak times.
– One dog per person.
– If your dog makes a mess, it’s your job to clean it up. Each bus will be fitted with a cleaning kit.
– Dogs are not allowed on seats.
– Dogs travel free!
Please note, this is a 12 week trial, and the council will be seeking feedback from dog owners and public transport users. This will determine how the service will continue if it passes the trial phase.
For more information follow the link here
Update 19/08/24: Nelson City Council announced the trial will be extended through summer into early 2025 after a successful start.

We are looking to update our volunteer list for Dog Blood Donors.

Requirements for being a Canine Blood Donor:

If you have a fit, healthy dog that weighs in 25kg or more, is between the ages of 1 and 8 years of age and able and willing to be calm (or at least not stressed!) in clinic. You need to be located in our immediate area so that if we call on you, you could get here within 1 hour.

So, if you think your dog can become a blood donor, simply email the clinic to see if your dog could be eligible, every little drop helps.

Email:     info@tcvet.co.nz