Mandatory Roaming Cat Law in Idaho! Protect our Pets!

The overpopulation of unwanted pets not only results in millions of animals being euthanized each year, but puts pressure on limited public resources to care for and find homes for these animals.

Early spaying of female cats can help protect them from some serious health problems later in life such as uterine infections and breast cancer. Neutering your male pet can also lessen its risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland) and testicular cancer.

The procedure has no effect on a pet’s intelligence or ability to learn, play, work or hunt. Some pets tend to be better behaved following surgical removal of their ovaries or testes, making them more desirable companions.

There are many local low cost clinics that will spay and neuter feral and domestic cats.

If you’re concerned about the surgical risk associated with neutering or spaying, the surgery is very low risk.

Cats Must be Fixed or a Permit or Letter is Required
The act requires residents owning or harboring cats to have them fixed, unless they obtain (1) a breeder's permit, (2) a permit to hold an unaltered cat, or (3) a letter from a licensed veterinarian stating that fixing the cat would be inappropriate due to its age or health. Farmland (presumably an owner or keeper on such land) is exempt from these requirements. The act specifies requirements for the permits and the letter.

Under the law, a person is considered responsible for a cat (or cats) if he provides care or sustenance for an uninterrupted period of 60 days or longer. The act does not prohibit a municipality from requiring people who care or feed feral cats to obtain a local permit.

Resources: AVMA - American Vetrinary Medical Association
Other state laws.