Lincoln County Commissioners are considering a restrictive ordinance that would force more cats into shelters, where they are likely to be killed. The bill would prohibit any cat from being outdoors without a leash, and require all cats to wear a rabies tag. This bill not only will lead to more community cats being killed in shelters, it will even make owned, socialized cats a target for animal control.
Lincoln County Residents: Urge Lincoln County Commissioners to reject cruel, anti-cat policies and adopt TNR! The hearing for this bill is Monday, April 6, so it’s crucial that commissioners hear from residents right now and let them know you do not support legislation that leads to more cats being killed in shelters, and that the only humane and effective approach to community cats is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).
The draconian bill would prohibit any cat without a leash from being outdoors, putting community cats at a high risk of being impounded and killed in the shelter, because they do not have traditional “owners” to leash them. Community cats’ natural home is the outdoorsleash laws are simply cruel and ineffective.
The bill would also require all cats to wear rabies tags. This is impractical and severe, because one of the only ways to visually distinguish a licensed cat from an unlicensed cat is by a tag on the cat’s collar. Many cats simply can’t tolerate collars at all and nearly all collars today break away easily to prevent strangulation. Yet, this bill would make any cat without a collarwhether they are owned or unowned, socialized or ferala target for impoundment by animal control.
Lincoln County, North Carolina Residents: Take Action!
Not in Lincoln County, North Carolina? Learn how you can protect and improve the lives of cats where you live.