The SPCA in Tokoroa is housing so many cats it's telling some people to humanely shoot strays instead of bringing them in.
It says it has double its normal amount of felines and it's struggling to cope.
Putting down a cat with an SPCA vet costs about $15 and must be paid for by the person reporting the stray.
Its manager in Tokoroa, Lorna Hutchinson, says she wouldn't recommend shooting to everyone.
But she says it's an option for experienced farmers if it can be done with one clean shot.
She says shooting a cat can be a better option than it roaming as a stray, and no-one has problems when farmers shoot cows or horses.
The centre's housing 80 cats and kittens at the moment.
