What are the DC laws on pet cats roaming the neighborhood?
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Anonymous
| We've recently moved to a new neighborhood, and started seeing a cat walk through and hang out in our yard almost from the start. We've learned that this cat is a pet, but the owner is rarely in town. Does anyone know the rules for this sort of thing? Our child has a very severe cat allergy. We also just don't feel comfortable with this cat wandering through whenever it wants. Thanks so much. |
Anonymous
|
None, apparrently.
We have all manner of pet and stray cats roaming through our backyard. Someone on our block feeds the strays. If the owner chooses to let the cat roam I don't know if you can do anything. |
Anonymous
| There are cat rescue groups in the greater DC area who will "trap, neuter and release" - they allow them to be feral so long as they're not breeding. |
Anonymous
| I would just get used to it. Count yourself lucky that it is only *one* cat. Your child will be fine. |
Anonymous
Actually in some cases there have been rabid feral cats in Maryland. Don't be so smug in your dismissal of the OP's concerns. |
Anonymous
| I hate that cats are allowed roam free. There is a male cat that comes by every day and sprays all around our house and poops in our mulch. It's gross and it drives our dogs crazy. I think there should be the same laws in place for cats as there are for dogs. Cats can be really aggressive if they feel threatened and cat scratches can be really nasty. |
Anonymous
| Next thing you know, OP will be complaining about the feral rat population, once she convinces the powers that be that all cats must remain indoors. |
Anonymous
I don't think cats kill rats. Rats are too big/aggressive. Someone who knows more on cats please chime in here. But it's well established that cats kill songbirds; huge numbers; big problem there. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
Are you one of those whose cat roams around defecating in others yards? |
Anonymous
| I'll admit that if the cat is pooping and peeing around the yard, it can be gross. However, I doubt OP's child is going to have any allergy issues to a cat that is in the yard. Cat allergies are because of the dander that collects indoors from a cat that lives in the house. The dander will not build up in the yard. |
Anonymous
I disagree. I've known several cats who enjoy bringing home dead rats. They are also great with moles and mice. |
Anonymous
| So pet cats are allowed to freely wander through neighbor's yards? I think that is what this thread is saying but I want to make sure I am reading it correctly. |
Anonymous
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I am super allergic to pets but honestly if it seems to be someone's pet I'd see this as a good thing - the cat may scare off some rats and mice. Now if it is wild and feral that might be a bit more of a concern.
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Anonymous
I posted this by btw op if you do want the cat to leave your yard alone you could try surriptiously shooting water on it it with a water gun A small one not a super soaker |