Advocacy

The New Zealand Cat Foundation says the issue is becoming a test for candidates ahead of the 7 November election, as two more cat-hunting competitions are promoted for this month.

A cat welfare charity has taken its fight against cash-prize cat hunting competitions to the Government after more than 1000 feral felines were killed over three years at a controversial North Canterbury event. The New Zealand Cat Foundation has written to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Department of Conservation (DoC), arguing Government guidance cannot reliably distinguish feral cats from pets and strays before they are killed.

The New Zealand Cat Foundation, a registered charity, has written formally to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Department of Conservation (DOC), warning that current government guidance on “feral” and “unwanted” cats cannot reliably distinguish a feral cat from a companion, stray, colony or stud cat, and is fuelling a rapid rise in the trapping, shooting and killing of cats that are not feral at all.

An animal welfare advocate has fiercely condemned the organiser of a controversial South Island feral cat hunt, blasting his live breakfast television appearance in which he brandished a furry sex toy and openly admitted he was hungover.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/13/more-than-400-feral-cats-killed-in-annual-canterbury-hunting-comp/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTBKVtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFhS1NpeUtPV0tMV0t3NHV0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrpQGw6TlbAqnLkB-gDyfPKur_x2J0g8VJdqZa-hGK2CKUihK7CbkY1DWwuj_aem_LcYLcIMwPTt0H6Ev5mV4Ow

https://ponsonbynews.co.nz/blogs/news/anne-batley-burton-once-again-a-country-divided If dissension over the Treaty of Waitangi and the handling of Covid wasn't enough, Tama Potaka and the Government’s decision to put feral cats into PredatorFree NZ2025 without ensuring the public are properly educated on the clear legal definitions between the different categories of cats, ie, Companion, Stray and Feral, has led to huge problems in the community.

Animal welfare advocates have launched an urgent legal push to stop a controversial cat-killing category at an upcoming hunting competition, warning it could put pets at risk and expose organisers to legal and reputational consequences.

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-matt-heath-tyler-adams-af-46787368/episode/anne-batley-new-zealand-cat-foundation-336212581/?cmp=web_share&embed=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawSUSw1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80Mzc2MjYzMTY5NzM3ODgAAR6CXX9n8i7w6tI4SYTida5J_hG7Kqui0Yn0sCdtLYzrQOC68-NGeY4vDyN_RQ_aem_GYPRR7bx6WGBsdj26CmvjA

NZ Cat Foundation founder Anne Batley Burton believes cats should be allowed to "do their best work". Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY

A former Real Housewives of Auckland star claims cats are the solution to a rise in rodent sightings after several upmarket suburbs reported a surge in rats. Residents in Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and Westmere have reported a sharp increase in rat numbers in recent weeks, sharing their concerns about the roaming rodents on social media. High-profile Aucklander and founder of the New Zealand Cat Foundation, Anne Batley Burton, told the Herald cats should be allowed to do their “be

‘Cat-flavoured’ dog pies? “Cat-flavoured” pies for dogs have been unleashed by a TikTok-famous pie shop in Auckland. But one cat activist has deemed the idea “absolutely disgusting”.

Opinion – Anne Batley Burton. I’m writing in response to a recent article in RNZ titled “Regionwide cat control a ‘win for biodiversity” by Max Frethey.

Cat lovers have joined forces to launch free online games to promote responsible feline ownership. Jane Phare finds out who’s behind Cat Angels Triumph.

Thirty percent of New Zealand cat owners are opposed to keeping their cats inside despite the harm roaming cats cause to native wildlife. However, cat welfare advocates say it's not practical or affordable for most owners to contain cats and that Government funding for desexing and microchipping is a better solution to bring down cat numbers.

War of words erupts on axed feral cat hunting competition Debate is raging after a controversial children's feral cat killing competition was cancelled following an uproar from the public.

Anne Batley Burton - also known as one of The Real Housewives of Auckland, is a staunch animal welfarist and advocate for stray and elderly cats. Her cat sanctury, The NZ Cat Foundation is home to more than 200 cats that she personally supports and they are in desperate need of food, and donations. Here's the real story behind how she got started with 'helping the helpless' and why this sanctuary is so important.

For all Cat Lovers... Anne Batley Burton has made a show about The Pussy Palace cat sanctuary!

For all Cat Lovers... Anne Batley Burton has made a show about The Pussy Palace cat sanctuary!

Take a tour of Pussy Palace, an Auckland home for stray cats that’s bursting at the furs. She burst onto our screens as the Champagne Lady on the Real Housewives of Auckland, but there's one thing Anne Batley Burton loves even more than the bubbly. Which is why she set up the Pussy Palace, a home for stray cats that's bursting at the furs. Laura Daniel went along to get her paws dirty.