Feral cats are beautiful and magnificent predators but in the end that is what they are... Predators. The population of feral cats is directly related to owners of domestic cats and their responsibility or lack their of to maintain control of their pets and spay and neuter their pets.
Feral cats breed with domestic cats (both strays and pets) increasing cat populations without any control or management. The kittens rarely receive any medical care if they are domestic strays and pose a health risk to humans because people simply see a cute kitten not realizing that cats are the #1 carrier of toxoplasmosis and also carry rabies, ringworm, cat scratch fever.
Most pest control agencies refuse to deal with feral cats because of backlash from animal lovers who only see their beloved pet cat and not the wild animal that a cat becomes after a couple generations with no human contact.
Pet owners of cats generally in violation of Marion County Ordinance often let their cats roam the neighborhood. This can increase the chance of diseases being spread from cat to cat. Feral cats often carry parasitic worm eggs in their fur due to their diet of rodents and other small game. These worms are easily transferred from cat to cat and then to humans.
Feral cats are an introduced species that damage the balance of local wildlife.
Feral cats are not recognized at pets or as wild animals and since they live in-between their lives are short are very hostile. Humans hit them with cars without a second thought. Car dealerships poison them to protect their vehicles. They are often nestled in the midst of humans and reduced to eating trash to survive.
We the undersigned Respectfully request the following.
1. Feral Cats be classified as a wild animal.
2. FWC Creates a License for handling/capturing/transporting/storing feral cats.
2. FWC requires that like domestic cats feral cats can only be destroyed by an organization licensed by the secretary of state or a municipal authority or its agents.
4. Feral cats are not available for adoption by persons and can only be handled by licensed personnel who have proven they can safely handle and store them.
5. FWC begins a scientific study of the populations, locations, diet, breeding habits of feral cats to determine the threat they pose to native species.
6. FWC investigates damage caused by feral cats to properties and illnesses sustained due to direct physical contact or secondary contact such as through pets or contact with animal droppings.
7. FWC creates a law forbidding the feeding, poisoning of feral cats. Charging $200 for the first incident for feeding but unlike guidelines of Marion County Animal Control Ordinance 11-55 these guidelines will clearly and concisely communicate that feeding feral cats is against the law and punishable by a fine. Poisoning feral cats resulting in a $2500 fine and up to 90 days but no more than 180 days in jail. Further incidents of feeding from a prior offender will increase the fine to $500.
8. FWC licensing allows people to apply for a permit to trap feral cats.
9. FWC licensing allows businesses to apply for a permit to store feral cats.
10. FWC requires that all licensees pay fees for licenses which will last for 1 year.
11. FWC requires that Licensees seeking a license to trap or store feral cats must have Insurance covering the following: Bodily injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per occurrence; and property damage: $100,000 per occurrence and $500,000 in the aggregate; or (b) Combined single-limit coverage: $500,000 in the aggregate.
