Cats made homeless after the Christchurch earthquake have been sent to the North Island in the hope people there will adopt them.
The cats were picked up as strays after the quake and the Canterbury SPCA has been unsuccessful in finding their owners.
Eight cats have been sent to Auckland, another eight to Gisborne, and other SPCA branches have offered to take on more strays should the need arrives.
Auckland SPCA marketing manager Martin Mackenzie said the Canterbury branch had been struggling to find enough homes for all the stray animals being brought into its shelter.
"Unfortunately there aren't enough people back in their own homes for them to even start thinking about taking on a pet, so the rest of us around New Zealand need to pitch in and rescue these poor homeless animals."
Auckland SPCA head vet Peter McQueen said the animals were in fantastic condition.
"Cats have a wonderful way of coping in situations like this and I'm sure these guys will settle in very quickly to their new surroundings."
People wanting to provide a home for the stray moggies can contact the SPCA.
A New Zealand author has written a book about pets affected by the earthquake. Read more about A Quaky Cat, which was launched in December.
NZPA