Fine for Feeding Stray Cats

**Randi** · 01-13-2009, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by momcat

"Troublesome ferral cats"? How cruel can these people get? These poor creatures are only trying to survive, it most certainly is not their fault that they have to fend for themselves

Maybe they should direct their efforts to enforce spay/neuter instead of leaving these kitties to starve?.

You took the words right out of my mouth. This is outrageous!!

A lot of people need education!!

**Medusa** · 01-13-2009, 02:45 PM

It's worse here in Ohio, especially in Akron city proper. If a cat is trapped, it's euthanized w/in 24 hours. For a while, an acquaintance of mine was stealing the traps so that the cats couldn't be euthanized but neighbors threatened to have him arrested if he didn't stop. At least in this story the mayor said that she'd need documentation, photos, etc. to prove that someone was feeding a stray. It's still disgusting. The people who should be fined are the ones who allow their cats to breed indefinitely and then let them roam the streets. The poor cats are only trying to survive.

**momtomany** · 01-13-2009, 05:36 PM

I did try and pass this on to Alley Cats but for someone reason my email wouldn't allow me too.

**catmandu** · 01-13-2009, 05:45 PM

Amen to that!!
As lomg as I live at the Found Cat Paradise Hotel there will be food and shelter for any lost Soul who comes here be they Cats , Birds or Squirrels.
It the Christian and the Human Thing to do.

**pomtzu** · 01-14-2009, 07:00 AM

Here in Delaware, the law states that if you provide food for a stray/feral for 3 days or more, then you are the legal owner, and subject to Delaware law.
I was the victim of this situation last Spring. I had 2 "resident strays" - Sherbie who I still have, and O.C. who is now at RB.
O.C. had any injury to his leg and I took him to the vet for treatment. Being that I had no shot records for him and the injury appeared to be a bite, then I had 2 options. Either have him put down or cage quarantine him for a full 6 months since it could have been a bite from a rabid animal (and I live in a rural area). Due to a lot of different circumstances, it was impossible to quarantine him, so he had to be PTS. In addition, my vet was required by law to report a "possible" rabies incident, and subsequently I got served with a summons by Animal Control for failure to inoculate "my" cat, and this was how I found out about the 3 day ownership law. I took it to court and pleaded not guilty and the case was dismissed on a technicality, but if the rookie animal control officer that testified hadn't screwed up, I would have been found guilty and fined.
Yet the courts continue to turn their heads and look the other way in regard to animal abuse and cruelty. It's all bureaucratic b.s. IMO
O.C. was a beautiful orangie, and he didn't need to die. I know it wasn't rabies, but I was powerless to do anything about it!

**Medusa** · 01-14-2009, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by pomtzu

Here in Delaware, the law states that if you provide food for a stray/feral for 3 days or more, then you are the legal owner, and subject to Delaware law.
I was the victim of this situation last Spring. I had 2 "resident strays" - Sherbie who I still have, and O.C. who is now at RB.
O.C. had any injury to his leg and I took him to the vet for treatment. Being that I had no shot records for him and the injury appeared to be a bite, then I had 2 options. Either have him put down or cage quarantine him for a full 6 months since it could have been a bite from a rabid animal (and I live in a rural area). Due to a lot of different circumstances, it was impossible to quarantine him, so he had to be PTS. In addition, my vet was required by law to report a "possible" rabies incident, and subsequently I got served with a summons by Animal Control for failure to inoculate "my" cat, and this was how I found out about the 3 day ownership law. I took it to court and pleaded not guilty and the case was dismissed on a technicality, but if the rookie animal control officer that testified hadn't screwed up, I would have been found guilty and fined.
Yet the courts continue to turn their heads and look the other way in regard to animal abuse and cruelty. It's all bureaucratic b.s. IMO
O.C. was a beautiful orangie, and he didn't need to die. I know it wasn't rabies, but I was powerless to do anything about it!

This case demonstrates the validity of my point, that the people who should be fined are the ones who allow their cats to roam and make babies. This case is shameful and unfair, to you, of course, Ellie, and to poor OC who died needlessly.

**catmandu** · 01-14-2009, 10:56 AM

IF I HAD MY WISH, I WOULD TAKE ALL THE HUNGRY AND STARY DOGS AND CATS AND TURN THEM LOOSE HERE , WHERE THEY COULD FEAST TO THIER HEARTS CONTENT.

I KNOW THAT THE ANIMAL ANGEL ARMY LOVES COMING HERE!!!

**Anikaca77** · 01-14-2009, 03:03 PM

I have no idea if PA or State College the town I live in has any rules for these. I bet in Philly or Pittsburgh they might but around here I've never heard of any rules. This just so unfair those poor cats can't help it if they were tossed out or born on the streets. I would hope that they would be able to get some food some place.