CAT ownership in the Northern Midlands could be matched with increased controls pending a council licencing investigation.
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The council this month accepted a recommendation from the Ross Local District Committee to register all cats in the region.
The committee's motion comes as part of a growing movement to stymie the state's feral cat population.
Committee chairman Keith Draper said farmers in their district were suffering stock losses as a result of feral-borne toxoplasmosis.
"When lambing is on it makes sheep abort," Mr Draper said.
"Eventually if cats are licenced they have to be spayed and you would only have licenced breeders.
"That way, eventually, over a few years feral cats would probably die out a little bit."
Evandale long-time cat owner Gill Waddle said she would support a move to adopt cat registration in the municipality.
"If it improves people being responsible owners then I think it's worthwhile," Mrs Waddle said.
"I like cats but I don't like what they do to native fauna . . . we have always done the responsible thing and had our's desexed."
The investigation is expected to be complete in the next two months, after which it will reappear for a council decision.
Northern Midlands Mayor David Downie said the some farmers reported losses of up to 30 per cent of lambs through toxoplasmosis.
"The council is looking in to see if we can microchip pet cats, and any other approaches that can be sourced," Cr Downie said.
"We will be looking at what other councils policies are, what else has been done — what's feasible and practical.
"There's a huge problem with feral cats, they're everywhere and a pest for the animal industry."
The motion to investigate the matter was passed by councillors Mary Knowles and Michael Polley.