HALIFAX, Nova Scotia: A law limiting the number of pets a household can own, as well as forcing mandatory feline registration, has created a catfight within the council trying to introduce it.
The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is finally on its way to having its estimated 200,000 cats licensed - a move that should have been warmly welcomed - but is instead, running into quite a degree of opposition.
City officials only voted in favor of the new law at the 17th such attempt to bring the issue before the council. According to a report in The Daily News, the bylaw will require all cats to be licensed.
This new bylaw also limits the number of animal companions a pet owner can own, to a maximum of three cats and three dogs for every property smaller than two acres. in addition, licensing the estimated 200,000 cats in HRM will require the construction of a new cat shelter, which could cost up to $1 million, plus $800,000 per year in staffing costs.
According to Yahoo News, regional councillors spent hours debating various plans to control the animals before finally voting in favor of the rules that were initially brought forward two years ago.
Councilman Jim Motznik is a staunch supported of the new legislation. "I have a fish pond. I chase cats out of my yard all the time," he told The Post-Gazette. "I want to have pet owners responsible for their pets, and right now cat owners are not responsible for their pets. There is a way of thinking ... that [cats] should be allowed to roam, and go on other people's properties, and I don't agree with that."
Councillors have been sharply divided on the legislation, debating it for hours before coming to a resolution.
"We have dogs running at large which are not being controlled, we have dogs running off leash in parks that are not off-leash parks," Councilwoman Gloria McCluskey, who voted against the bylaw, told The Daily News. "And yet we want to add all these cats to the bylaw."
A cat snapshot:
- 52 per cent of Canadians own pets; of those, 49 per cent own cats
- More than 50,000 cats are euthanased each year in Canadian animal shelters
- 43 per cent of cats that come into shelters are euthanased
- Fewer than four per cent of cats in shelters are reclaimed by their owners
- Average lifespan of cats that roam free outside: two to five years
- Average lifespan of indoor cats: 12.5 years
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An earlier, similar law was passed for dogs, but of the estimated 50,000 to 75,000 canines in HRM, only about 10 per cent are actually licensed.
According to The Daily News, police Staff Sgt. Robin McNeil addressed the councillors, saying that the current licensing program for dogs is not working, and the city needs to focus on enforcing the earlier legislation before they take on cats.
Chances are the residents of Halifax will be getting their say on the city's proposed animal control bylaw in the fall. But as the fur continues to fly, other population centres across Canada have already been working on their own schemes to keep track of their cats.
Cities like Regina, Toronto and Calgary have tried everything from massive educational campaigns to their own licensing procedures. And as it seems that every Canadian city thinks that cat licensing is the way to go, Halifax has taken a few steps closer to making cat licensing mandatory. But the Council has yet to make another review, and public hearings have to take place before anything can get implemented.
I really think that mandatory licensing for cats is a great idea- but it seems that, equally just as important, is enforcing the laws passed by any state.
If you're gonna do something, do it right. Yes, they have a good and clear purpose for licensing, but it doesn't seem to be working. They have tried it with dogs, but it was not proven to be successful. What makes them think that it will be successful this time around? I'm ok with licensing. I know my cat's well-behaved and won't inflict harm on anyone or anything. Officials should just stop the yakking and take some real action!
i can't believe they have all that cats! why are there so many cats there? and they're already allowed to have 3 cats and 3 dogs for every home but they are still complaining. i don't understand that one bit. but i think its a good idea to start controlling these cats lest they take over the country.
Then picking on ppl who have more than three cats or dogs in their home ( shaking head )it's not the govt's. business !!
Again another waste of the government's time, money and resources. Can't these people do anything better?
I am pretty sure the government has better things to do. And limiting the number of cats to three is, in its own, rather narrow minded. I have taken in five cats (all strays) and I live in a very tiny apartment. With two premium litter boxes and lots of good food, my cats are doing well. And what about the dog limit? Some dogs are huge and others are way smaller than my cats. Is it right to only consider the number of dogs kept?
No it's not right. And while they're at it maybe they should also impose restrictions on horses and fish.
i have four cats and they're all doing well, and i'd like to think they're fairly well-treated (read: spoiled!). seriously, if a person can take care of four, ten, twenty cats, responsibly and with lots of love, i don't see any reason why the government should put a cap on it- in fact, we're even doing them a favor for doing so!
I'm all for cat registration but telling me how many cats i can take care of is just a bit too much. I have ten cats, 8 of which are strays that just came to my house for food and a warm shelter. My house resembles a jungle but the cats are doing just fine. I have not received any complaints from my neighbors.
I symphatize with the guy in the article. Cat owners should be more responsible. There should be some sort of licensing for cats round here considering cat owners outnumber dog owners.
I think cat registration is a good idea. Maybe other cat owners will be more responsible if their cats are registered. The law maybe a little bit flawed but it's still good to have some sort of guidelines to follow. Just because some dog owners don follow the law doesnt mean we should not follow them anymore.
You'd think these guys could have something other more pressing matter to debate about. I'm all for registration- or any law being passed- so long as you can enforce it, and so long as it's for the betterment of all. From what I've read here, it seems that they have a problem with both.
the most important thing in having pets is the companionship and friendship that they provide. as long as you can give them a good home and a loving environment, then having as many cats as you want should not be restricted but even admired.
Don't start what you cannot continue. Or, why start something new if the last one was a total flop? Laws are ok. It's a great way of putting control on things. But if people in the higher-ups cannot even do it right, then the law becomes stupid and just a waste of time.
how much domestic policy gets dictated by these pets, i wonder..
i really think that this is a good idea. i mean i love cats and all but if it comes to a point when the population of these felines are getting too much, then there should be something done to at least control it.