UPDATED 7.43PM: An Invercargill cat lover has been ordered to pay over $1000 and been given 21 days to get rid of her large feline collection.

Averil Gardiner has been found guilty, this afternoon, in the Invercargill District Court of failing to comply to a bylaw limiting her to three cats or less and creating nuisance under the Health Act.

In his judgement, Judge David Saunders told the court her 25 cats created a number of issues for neighbours and hindered them and their children from going about their everyday lives.

Earlier today, Invercargill City Council representative Sarah McKenzie read a letter written by neighbour Rachel Webber.

"The cat lady's house has become a spectacle - many drive past, slowing down to look at all the cats," she told the court.

"Some young boys stood on the footpath one day and started taking photos."

One neighbour, who didn't want to be named, says his older cat just couldn't handle the new arrivals and had to be put down.