Getting the Facts About Cat Law - American Bird Conservancy

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2Get the Facts About Cat LawLEGISLATIONCat Licensing: Cat licensing is a cat registrationand identification system administered by local authoritiesto protect both cats and people. When catowners register their pets and pay the associatedsmall fee, they are purchasing an “insurance policy”that helps ensure the safe return of pets that strayfrom home. Cat licensing provides local officialswith a useful tool to enforce laws protecting cats andcommunities, as well as funds to help offset the costsof animal protection and control.Daniel J. Lebbin, ABCCat licensing is also a vital tool for rabies control.A well-written cat licensing ordinance links licenseswith rabies vaccinations, providing a needed enforcementtool in states and localities where rabiesvaccinations are mandatory. Since cats sometimesslip out of their collars, increasing numbers of communitiesare promoting microchips as a fail-safemethod of animal identification. Differential licensing,whereby license fees are set higher for unsterilizedanimals than for sterilized animals, promotesspaying and neutering. It places the burden of higherfees on pet owners most likely to contribute tothe surplus of cats and dogs and the many animalcontrol problems related to that surplus.Cat Control and Restraint: Laws requiringthat cats be confined to their owner’s property orphysically restrained when off-premises are the mosteffective way for communities to ensure that catsreceive the protection and care they deserve. TheCity of Aurora, Colorado passed a comprehensiveordinance that requires cat licensing and rabiesvaccination, control and restraint, mandatory spay/neuter of all cats over six months of age, and limitsthe number of cats an individual can own (visit www.abcbirds.org/cats to view the ordinance).In 1999, Montgomery County, Maryland passed acat nuisance law, whereby a cat owner who allowstheir cat to roam on another person’s property withoutthat person’s permission may be fined $100 forthe first offense and up to $500 for subsequent offenses.In addition, an unaltered cat may not roamat large.Cat restraint and control can be a controversial issue.Some people may argue that it isn’t “natural”to keep a cat indoors. The information you havegathered from animal shelters and agencies willhelp you to point out that cats should not have torisk their security, health, and lives in order to satisfytheir owner’s idea of a “natural” life.Sterilization of Outdoor Cats: Many communitiesare looking at ways to address the problemscaused by cats that spend most or all of their timeoutdoors. Santa Rosa, California has enacted legislationrequiring that free-roaming and outdoor catsbe sterilized by their owners, although cat controland restraint is not required. Licensing should be aprerequisite for this provision, so that animals andtheir owners may be identified and the legislationenforced.Stock.xchng
3Get the Facts About Cat LawLEGISLATIVE TIPS:3 Before you begin to work on a bill (the draft ofa law presented to the legislature to be votedon), discuss your effort with those people mostinvolved. If animal control officers will be expectedto enforce your law, meet with themearly in the effort and consider their concernsand suggestions.3 If the bill may have a negative impact on aspecific group, try to work with them early inthe process. The more opposition you can negate,the better the chances that your bill willadvance.3 Whenever a bill affects animals, legislators willsolicit expert veterinary opinion. Try to get veterinariansor the state veterinary medical associationto support your proposals.3 Find a good sponsor for your bill. Approachthose who have sponsored animal welfarelaws in the past. If the bill must be heard (consideredor examined) by a committee, try toget the chairperson or someone on that committeeto sponsor your bill. If one party dominatesthe legislative body, it is best to get asponsor from that party.3 Get help in drafting your bill. Your objectivesand the structure your program will takeshould be clear. You may be able to enlist theexpertise of the sponsor’s staff, or the counselwho works for the legislative body.3 Draft your bill with costs in mind. Try to createa program that generates sufficient funding tocover its expenses. It is best if only cat ownersare forced to pay; funding generated this wayis referred to as a “user’s fee.”3 As you lobby for your bill, be sure to developgood relationships with its sponsor’s staff. Theycan control what happens, and they can provideyou with important information and insight.3 Form a coalition of backers for your bill. Inaddition to the humane community and veterinarians,seek endorsement from groupssuch as cat breeders, law enforcement andpublic health officials, civic associations, studentgroups, and conservation organizations.Include anyone who will be better off if yourbill passes for reasons such as safety, taxpayersavings, fewer neighborhood problems, andwildlife protection.3 Contact the local newspapers and other membersof the media early in the process to explainyour issue and why your proposed legislationis important.3 If hearings are held, carefully choose whowill testify for your bill. It should be someonewho is comfortable with public speaking andwho can adequately handle any questions thatcome up. Try to pack the room with your supporters.They can wear badges or carry signsof support.3 When lobbying legislators or city council membersto support your bill, always be polite. Evenif they don’t support you on this bill, they maywork with you in the future on another issue.Adapted from, Facts About Cat Law, byThe Humane Society of the United States,1995.Stock.xchng
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