Unlike dogs, cats in New York State exist in an unclear legal space. While animal cruelty and neglect laws technically apply to all companion animals, the lack of explicit standards for the care and supervision of cats—especially those allowed to roam freely—has created a loophole that enables neglect without accountability. In addition, some cats who are free-roaming are not fixed, which means they are actively contributing to the homeless cat crisis.
Under current interpretations of the law:
- Cats may be left outdoors for hours or even days without food, water, or shelter.
- Owners can claim a cat is "free roaming," "independent," or "outdoor" to avoid responsibility.
- Law enforcement and animal control often cannot intervene unless severe injury or death has already occurred. Even then, there are no consequences.
A dog left outside without food, water, or shelter would be considered neglected. A cat in the same situation is often dismissed as being "free-roaming", even when the animal is visibly malnourished, injured, or exposed to extreme weather.
Sign this petition and send a letter to Governor Hochul and our NYS representatives asking them to:
- Clarify state law to explicitly require that all owned cats—regardless of whether they are allowed outdoors—must be provided with adequate food, clean water, shelter, and basic care (including vaccines and spay/neuter).
- Define neglect standards for cats comparable to those already applied to dogs and other companion animals.
- Eliminate the "free-roaming" loophole that allows owners to evade responsibility while their animals suffer.
- Provide guidance and authority for law enforcement and animal control to intervene before cruelty escalates.
