There will be no more free rides for felines in Wellington, which is proposing a law that would limit the number of cats its residents can own.

The claws are well and truly out in Wellington, which has come up with a proposed law that limits the number of cats people can own, prohibits pigeon feeding, and bans roosters from urban areas.

The capital's proposed animals bylaw contains a wide range of new rules designed to manage the city's animals and "protect the public from nuisance".

If approved, it will require anyone wanting to keep more than three cats, over the age of six months, to seek permission from the city council.

It would also require pet cats to be easily identifiable. Microchips will be strongly recommended, but not mandated.

READ MORE:

* Cat capping, cat chipping and cat curfews proposed for Wellington

* Council keeps cats in its sights as it approves review of pets

* Gareth Morgan: Cats need microchips and curfew

* Are 'clown' cats the answer to keeping Wellington's birdlife safe?

However, a cat curfew is not included in the proposed bylaw because of the difficulty in enforcing it.

ROBYN EDIE/FAIRFAX NZ If you're keeping a rooster, or more than 12 poultry, in Wellington city then you'll have to consider a move to the country.

Gareth Morgan, who has been a staunch campaigner for tougher controls on cats, said the new rules were "baby steps", but they showed politicians were moving slowly in the right direction.

Under the proposed law, roosters will also be banned from Wellington's urban areas, and anyone wanting to keep more than 12 poultry will also need permission.

The council says poultry escaping is a "prominent" form of nuisance in the city.

FAIRFAX NZ There's no such thing as a free lunch if you're a pigeon living in Wellington.

Feeding animals will also be banned in public places, unless they are designated areas such as duck ponds

This aspect of the law is intended to stop pigeon feeding, which is a common irritant for business owners, as pigeon faeces and nests can damage buildings.

The new law is not a complete crackdown on animals, though. Council staff have opted not to impose any extra rules on bee ownership, and to remove an existing rule that requires goats to be registered.

MONIQUE FORD/ FAIRFAX NZ Good news if you're a Wellington dog. The proposed new law will allow you to stop to catch your breath in the CBD.

Another current rule that prohibits dogs from stopping in the central city will also be relaxed, to let dogs pause in a public place as long as they are not left unattended.

The idea of cat capping and cat microchipping was floated by the council in November, along with a curfew between 7pm and 7am. A public survey on the proposed changes received 700 responses.

Iona Pannett​, who chairs the council's environment committee, said a curfew would have been difficult to enforce. Council staff opted not to make microchipping mandatory because that would come with the burden of administration, and the need to create a register of cat owners.

"But we're being very open-minded about this. If the public comes back to us and say we want more regulation, then we'll look at it."

The council went with a limit of three cats, because that was the rule for dogs, and because public surveys suggests a low proportion of Wellingtonians owned more than three cats.

Registered cat breeders would not be restricted by the new law, Pannett said.

"What we're trying to do is send a message that we don't want people hoarding cats."

Morgan said the number of cats out wandering the streets was the main issue that needed addressing, not the number of cats per household.

"I don't care if you have 50 cats, as long as you keep them on your property."

'IT'S LIKE ASKING IF I CAN HAVE A FOURTH CHILD'

Wellington cat breeder Sally Dennehy​ said it would be odd for the council to demand people wanting a fourth cat to seek the council's permission.

"It's like asking someone if I can have a fourth child."

Dennehy currently has more than a dozen cats at her house, including four she is looking after on behalf of family.

However, she said breeders and fanciers did suggest the council cap the number of non-breeding cats at five.

Bad cats had bad owners, and it was unfair to punish responsible cat owners and their pets, she said.

"A responsible owner will have their cat neutered or spayed, depending on whether it's a girl or boy, and probably have it microchipped."

New Zealand Cat Fancy chairwoman Zena Pigden​ confirmed her association suggested a maximum of five pet cats.

Council staff said they met Wellington Cats Protection League (WCPL), New Zealand Cat Fancy (NZCF), and the Wellington SPCA, and all groups strongly supported mandatory microchipping.

THE PROPOSED NEW RULES

Cats: Limit of three per household unless special permission is sought. Owners must be able to identify their cats. Microchipping not mandatory, but will be strongly encouraged.

Dogs: Will be allowed to pause in the CBD from now on if supervised. More dog exercise areas will be added around the city.

Poultry: Roosters will be restricted to rural areas only. Anyone wanting to keep more than 12 poultry will need permission.

Pigeons: Can't be fed unless in a specially designated area.

Goats: Requirement to have them registered will be removed, but owners must be able to identify their goat.



WHAT THE PUBLIC SAID

Results of Wellington City Council's survey on cat ownership (answered by 700 people).

The number of cats per household should be limited - 77 per cent agreed

Desexing of cats should be mandatory (with exceptions for breeders) - 77 per cent agreed

Microchipping of cats should be subsidised - 70 per cent agreed

Cat registration should be mandatory - 67 per cent agreed

Authorities should be able to trap and remove cats on found on reserve land - 62 per cent agreed

Cats should have a night-time curfew - 43 per cent agreed.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

* Public feedback will be sought between April 1 and May 2.

* The council's environment committee will consider all the responses and make potentially recommend any changes before a final version of the bylaw is written.

* Wellington City Council will consider whether to adopt the new law in August. If it does, the new rules will come into force in September.