I found Out that I am going to have periodic Animal Control Visits

[catnapper]

I'm sorry to hear that. But Gary, don't worry! Seriously! You have nothing to hide, you know your cats are well cared for and of the best health, so what will they find upon a surprise inspection that they didn't find on the last one? Nothing but loved and perfectly healthy cats.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I'm sorry to hear that. But Gary, don't worry! Seriously! You have nothing to hide, you know your cats are well cared for and of the best health, so what will they find upon a surprise inspection that they didn't find on the last one? Nothing but loved and perfectly healthy cats.

This was my first reaction too, Gary. Let them come. They will soon find that they are wasting their time and will leave you alone. It might be inconvenient for awhile, but like I say, they will soon see there is nothing here for them to worry about and then they will leave you alone for good. You're doing everything right and there are others out there to vouch for you, so welcome them in and show them the doting catdad you are.

[Randy_K]

I guess the best thing is to grin and bear it. If they show up at your door unannounced then they will do the same thing to those whacko "collectors" who just gather up animals but don't take care of them.

[Reachoutrescue]

I don't think that is fear. I would contact the city or something. There has got to be something you can do. Good luck.

[Killearn Kitties]

No I wouldn't like it, but I would accept it. Animal Welfare people see some horrific situations. They have to check up on homes where people keep taking in animals that they are not able to care for. Quite clearly, your home does not fall into this category. You also have the support of your vet. If they visit at all, I would not expect those visits to be frequent.

[CultureJunky]

Sorry to hear that Gary, I can't really offer any advice as I have never been in that situation. However would you be able to contact a local MP? (Member of parliament, I'm not sure of the local politics where you live) and say that you feel you're being harrassed?
Though obviously you have nothing to worry about, they live in clean conditions, are well fed and well looked after. I think they'll give up after a while after one or two visits, even if they do that many.
Although it may be official that they have to visit you, they may not and it could just be going through the motions and mandatory regulations to inform you of visits. Fingers crossed

[kb2yjx]

Gary!!! You just be the host with the most and like the about posters said, bored them to tears while regaling stories about the cats. Maybe have some videos ready for them to watch. Maybe if you do that a few times, they will space out the visits, then less and less, then none!!

[moosmom]

I wouldn't worry too much, Gary. You take excellent care of your cats and I'm sure eventually they'll stop coming around. Just keep doing what you're doing. You'll be fine.

[Logan]

Gary, here is my opinion, if it matters.

You know you have more cats than the law allows, but they are allowing you to keep them. This is a good excuse to keep your home in tiptop shape and there will be nothing to worry about when they come on those surprise visits! You are a great cat dad. We all know that. You should have nothing to worry about, in my opinion.

Logan

[catfamily]

I loved Laura's babies advice.That sounds like a great idea w/the long stories of each cat and how proud you are as a cat dad.
But I would be very upset.They may be just saying that to scare you but be on guard at all times.God I hate some people.It really makes me so mad that they would pick on a nice person who is saving lives instead of picking on an a**h***.I'm sorry your going through this Gary.Very Sorry.I wish I was closer to help.

[Pam]

No I wouldn't like it, but I would accept it. Animal Welfare people see some horrific situations. They have to check up on homes where people keep taking in animals that they are not able to care for. Quite clearly, your home does not fall into this category. You also have the support of your vet. If they visit at all, I would not expect those visits to be frequent.

This is pretty much what I was going to say. Gary, I think in another thread you mentioned that you are above the legal limit in your town for the amount of cats you have. Maybe you can just view this as sort of a trade off. They don't ask you to cut down the size of your family and you, in turn, have to submit to these visits. I wouldn't like it either, but if that's the way it has to be for my little cat family to remain intact I would comply. Good luck!

[Sonia59]

Oh Gary, I am sorry to hear this, but I would not worry to much. You have NOTHING to worry about. And as others have said, if they come a few times and see happy and healthy cats and have a warm welcome from you, they may not visit you very frequently then!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Gary, I think in another thread you mentioned that you are
above the legal limit in your town for the amount of cats you have.

I did a little research on the City of Hamilton web site - a rather "fancy" and
VERY detailed and well indexed presentation.

Animal Control has a lot of info here >>>
http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/.../animalcontrol

They offer a Lifetime License for CATS at $12.00; but also say you don't need
to "license" a cat - as long as it wears an ID Tag which you can obtain anywhere.
Nowhere on the Animal Control pages does it give a LIMIT on the number of cats permitted.

The Hamilton City BYLAWS tell a different story.
Bylaw # 84-191 is the real problem >>>

http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyre...1asamended.pdf

It won't let me copy & paste - but it says (with a triple negative) that you
can keep TWO "class 3" animals.
"Class 3 Animals" are a small animal group including Dogs and Cats.

I interpret this to mean ONE dog + ONE cat;
or TWO dogs + NO cat;
or TWO cats + NO dog

(Wonder WHO passed THAT bylaw? The public must have been asleep!)

A lot more Bad News for Cat Owners is in Bylaw 86-343 >>>
http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyre...lawNo86343.pdf

This one deals with CATS - and their limits of freedom ...
short version - Kat gotta STAY HOME on the owner's property -
NO wandering and/or going Potty on public or private property.

---------------------------------------

*MY* read on this situation is that one or more of Gary's Neighbors don't
like some of his cats "wandering" around the Hood.
Prolly one or two have used somebody's flower bed as the Bafroom - and
Animal Control has prolly been told "there's Hundreds of wild cats in that guy's yard and house!"

How to "fix" the problem?? - Good question!

Short of *moving out* of Hamilton - about the only way I see is to
move the Cats INside and eliminate the "at large & roaming" problem.
If No cats are "visible" to the neighbors - the might forget about complaining.

Good Luck!

/s/ Phred