North Carolina is taking a hard stance against feral cats, penalizing pet owners who do not put their cats on a leash when they go outdoors.
The municipality of Cary, North Carolina, which is situated in the Raleigh suburbs and is home to 176,000 people, has a law that has been in place for over fifty years mandating the leash requirement for all domestic pets, including cats if they go off their owner’s property.
All of the towns and cities in Wake County have similar regulations.
Earlier this week, the municipality of Cary’s Animal Services reminded Facebook users that “cats must be leashed while not on their owner’s property.” This reminder sparked a social media uproar.
The local organization outlined many concerns about letting cats roam freely, such as that these beloved pets kill a staggering number of birds annually, are the top predators of small mammals, and may spread illnesses to animals and people.
The city of Cary is home to tens of thousands of feline residents. According to supervisor Chuck Haggist, around one thousand calls are received yearly regarding feral cats, stray cats, or kittens. Owners are subject to penalties varying from twenty to two hundred and fifty dollars for each infraction of the leash requirement.
On the sixth infraction, a feline seen roaming free without a leash may be apprehended and transferred to a shelter, from whence its owner might retrieve the cat for a fee.
Although his organization is not actively seeking cats that have been let loose, Haggist stressed the need for pet owners to be aware of the risks posed by cats to themselves and others.
Despite their small stature, cats possess exceptional hunting skills, preying on lizards, birds, and other tiny animals.
According to the American Bird Conservancy, cats kill over 2. 4 billion birds annually in the United States.
To keep their curious felines contained while they enjoy the outdoors, cat owners may construct outdoor enclosures called “catios” or employ invisible fences similar to those used for dogs.
