I know this might be a controversial opinion, but I think it’s something that needs to be addressed in my area. It seems like people around here don’t really care for their cats, and I wonder if some of the ones I see regularly might be part of a feral colony. I’ve seen over 10 different cats on my small property (not all at once), and recently, when the temperature dropped below -20°C (-4°F), I still saw them hiding under cars. One of the cats appeared to be only a few months old, which is heartbreaking. Another cat is missing its tail, and one has a missing ear. The area also has a lot of skunks and raccoons, which can be dangerous, so I’m concerned for their safety. If these cats have homes, they should definitely be in them. But I’m also worried that the city’s solution might be to just put them all down. What are your thoughts?
Update: I’ve done some research and found local groups monitor the feral cat population in the area. I am near a shelter (I didn’t know that) so it’s possible these are shelter cats. I’m just going to work with that shelter to see if thats the case. I have security cam footage of a few of them but not posting pictures for privacy reasons.
Also I’d love to bring them in but I only rent a room here. The owners should prefer I didn’t do that so I need to honor that. However if the local shelter thinks it’s ok I may set a heated cathouse in the back yard.
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So you think that none of these cats are strays? Lol what?
Torontonian here. It might be worth asking, but I can tell you right now they’d laugh at you. Their boomer voting base doesn’t want to bother and they have big federal problems to worry about. Heck look at Scotland right now, some people suggested keeping cats out of conservation areas to protect bird species and everyone is freaking out. Despite being great for the environment, outdoor cat bans are not popular with voters.
You may have more luck with your local councilor. Pet issues tend to be handled at the municipal level. Even your MPP would be a much better choice, assuming they aren’t conservative. However if you really want the situation fixed anytime soon, you’ll need to either get help from a charity like the Humane Society or take care of it all yourself.
Banning cats from conservation areas sounds reasonable, but how do you actually go about enforcing that? It sounds practically unenforceable.
It’s a complicated issue.
I live in an area with an outdoor cat ban, but some people in my neighborhood still let their cats out. Nobody in the local government does anything about it.
Look up local cat rescues. Ask them about “Trap, Neuter, Release” - it’s a type of program to help curb feral cat populations. They can also help you find ways to assist the cats without attracting more or increasing the population.
Cats won’t generally mess with skunks or raccoons. The injuries you describe could be from fights with other animals, or could has been caused by other things. Also, cats are resourceful and will find ways to stay warm in the cold.
You’re right, it’s heartbreaking. But I’ve done some rescuing, and I’ve had to accept that I can’t save them all. But you might be able to help them somewhat.
They could all be strays. The best solution is for local animal shelters to pick them up. They might indeed get put down. Some of them might find loving homes.
In my country (the Netherlands) people are required to chip their cats. If they then get picked up by the animal ambulance (ran by volunteers), they can track if they have a home.
If there is an owner for these cars, they should be off accountable or possibly even fined or arrested for animal cruelty.
You may let them sleep in your house and feed them, but generally, other people’s cats are none of your business.
Update: and take pictures and post them of course. This is the Internet after all.
We foster-adopted a porch kitty. We took him to the vet, scanned his chip and it turns out he’s owned by a house a block away. When we contacted them, they said "Just put him outside. We did, and he was back that afternoon.
Our other cats stay inside. We don’t let them out, but we let Todd out when he wants, and we let him in when he wants.
He’s in my house 90% of the time now that it’s freezing out.
His owners probably haven’t seen him in months, but they know where we live and where to find him, so I don’t think they really care, but technically, we haven’t stolen him.
Do you think stray cats are going to respond to a law banning outdoor cats?
If you want to do something for them, then do something for them. What you’ve suggested doesn’t accomplish anything.
