Craig is merely pointing this out. All of these animals are wards of the State but the State is not required to control them. They even harass indoor cats! If all available rear seats are occupied by children under 4, then a child under 4 may ride in a car seat in the front seat. Local groups may provide similar information. State Laws for Keeping Exotic Cats as Pets. Adios! But, I feel that cats should be vaccinated as well. Operators are standing by to take your action. But seriously, there's a reason behind the expression "herding cats" and why it's impossible. I keep their vaccinations up-to-date. For example, if feeding feral cats were banned and yet some good TNR programs already existed, legislators could exempt them from the new law. In addition, groups like the American Bird Conservancy and the National Audubon Society publish controversial information in favor of killing cats in order to protect birds. Live trap. Kern said the Ann Arbor area community needs to have a conversation about the need to identify pet cats so they’re not observed as strays. In Washtenaw County, several cities have taken their own steps to implement some restrictions on the pet cat population. In 1949 the Illinois legislature passed such a law but Governor Adlai Stevenson vetoed it with a message regarded as a literary masterpiece. they will not do it. There is less of a dog rabies problem now than there was in 1919, Reider said. You must understand the impact of that reference. I knew we had more common ground than it would appear! I'd be happy to license her if a spay/neuter requirement is included. I also had a cat nearly choke to death - not because the collar got hung-up on something, rather because the cat kept scratching at it and the fibers kept getting pulled tighter and tighter until it was cutting into her neck. If you see or hear an animal that appears to be abused, mistreated, or neglected, contact your local animal control agency, law enforcement, or the humane society. Cats carry diseases! They were owned once. Speak to one of our medical professionals at US Service Animals and find out if you qualify. Learn About Michigan Elevator Codes, Laws, Regulations And Safety Standards. Arkansas. The attitudes toward domestic animals has changed significantly in the past 50 years. Outdoor cats often pick fights with our indoor cats through our windows. Don't worry about what other people are doing with their dog, hamster, dragon. Our other three are a mother and two kittens (kittens are now 9 years old) that we rescued. Spayed/neutered/not pales in comparison to nearly all cat problems are the results of people who left their cats out to roam in the first place.... Leashes were invented to prevent dogs from running up and attacking little children (or big ones!). How cats are treated in the sheltering system is another area of interest. Cats spray *everywhere*. Not in my neighborhood! "Now a scientific review published in Trends in Parasitology explores how substantial a public health threat the parasite poses in the United States. People need to stop projecting their anthropomorphic feelings on their pets. 328 of the Public Acts of 1931, being section 750.321 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. It was skin and bones when we got him back, but he has learned his lesson and comes back within minutes of being out. By law, road agencies can enact weight restrictions on any roads not designed as “all season” roads. All indoor/outdoor. Step up and be responsible, it's as simple as that. I based my decision to keep them indoors on fox sightings in our neighborhood and the fact that we live in a condo and it's pretty much parking lot all around us. An ESA letter is required by all airlines and most landlords to show proof from a mental health professional about your mental health condition and need for an emotional support animal. Don't look outside at night. It was never outside until my daughter visited when the cat was about 4 or 5 years old and she took it outside and let it run. "Household cats were introduced in North America by European colonists; they are regarded as an invasive species and have few natural enemies to check their numbers. leashes shouldn't a substitute for teaching your dog manners. In my experience, I've never seen a cat go into attack mode upon seeing a human being. You also must pay the applicable license fee if you are adopting a dog. The laws are unequal? In Michigan, there are more stray cats than there are dogs, Reider said. Ypsilanti has a similar ordinance, in that dogs and cats must have rabies vaccines if they are in public places. Michigan penal code, Act No. And I reserve the right to keep cats off my property. Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill that could bring an end to cat declawing in the state. My toddler son and I have enjoyed watching him walk in our backyard, and it's been a good opportunity to talk about not running up and petting/grabbing animals we don't know. Yes, jcj I have an organic garden (vegetables and flowers). Adoption fees include vaccines, FeLV/FIV test (cats), heartworm test and prevention (dogs), flea prevention, dewormer, and spay/neuter surgeries. While cats are different than dogs, cat owners cannot be completely negligent or ignorant. Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. I personnaly don't like other peoplese cats roaming about in my yard. Originally, the law’s intention was to reduce the risk of a dog biting a human and transmitting rabies, or from roaming and damaging livestock. The article covered a range of concerns that you ignored. Our cat seems to enjoy fresh air and so on via a screened window. So those of you who leave your cats to roam as they please, perhaps you'll learn the hard way when the cat brings rabies to you, your kids, and your grand kids. i think 80 lb cats should be treated like 80 lb dogs. Michigan is one of the many states Typha spp. Wow Craig- That was a close line! Allowing your property to end up in somebody elses yard is trespassing, whether it's a cat or a piece of paper in a plastic bag. Some cats carry a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Cats should be kept indoors all the time anyway for the fact that they live 5+ years longer. Getting an ESA letter couldn’t be easier. If you're talking about Ann Arbor, I agree this is becoming a major problem. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/science/that-cuddly-kitty-of-yours-is-a-killer.html?_r=0 While it's great that you rescued the surviving kitten, I want to remind city people (as we are), don't take your unwanted animals to the garages, porches, whatever of people in the country. But I love cats and dogs both. Dogs may be leashed to keep them from getting into trouble. I do not have a license for them and don't plan on it. Though state law keeps dog owners on a relatively short leash, Yea right! 5508 was introduced on Thursday by … No thanks! What do you think a bird would prefer....being in a cage all day....or being free to roam the house/world? Problems for the environment, property values, public health, safety for other people's children and pets (let alone the cats on the run). With respect to a dog, I don't feel comfortable messing with it. Rabies kills about 3 people PER YEAR in the U.S., and folks are not getting rabies from their cats (source: The Humane Society). So, I do agree with you in large part. She never bit another dog, or person. I love cats. I have to leash, license and get rabies shots for my 5-lb Yorkie. So you know "many people who have ended up in ER due to cat bites"? 4 states have no laws on keeping dangerous wild animals as pets: Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. In fact, it seems more reasonable to propose that given that cat populations and human populations overlap, whatever predatory pressure cats exert on local wildlife is far outshadowed by the impact of humans on the local environment. Lexis service can also provide the information for a fee. That's because cats ARE happier roaming around outside...regardless of what some person who thinks themselves an expert says... Should a cat roam at large, the owner would be charged a $25 fine for the first offense, $50 for a second offense and $250 for each offense after that. Michigan Elevator Code Authority Authorities having jurisdiction are those government officials who are the final authority on questions in a particular area (or jurisdiction). I don't think cats need to be licensed, or dogs for that matter. Reference to Other Law – Often language in one law references another. Maybe that's why he lost in the presidential elections to Eisenhower. They also are free roaming. Duh. if it is based on waste the dogs you pick up. Some did quite well, but it's not for all cats. We have four cats. “Humans let cats come and go; we don’t do that so much with our dogs,” said Linda Reider, director of statewide initiatives for the Michigan Humane Society. Many more pet owners visit animal shelters to search for their lost dogs than their lost cats, Kern said. Cover up there business? The solution to me would be to create parks for "off leash" exercise that I could choose to avoid since I don't like to be around a dog off-leash unless it is one I know. The relationship between Felis Domesticus (the domestic cat) and the law extends thousands of years. If you do not like having to leash your dog and pick up its results, do not get a dog. Big Cats! I'm surprised that all the negative responses on this post. Obviously just trying to work this "manufactroversy" for page hits. Even if just for an hour or so after dark. Comparative methodology in the studies is not addressed, despite the real possibility that bad data is skewing the numbers. Most local laws are posted on the internet by the government entity that enacted it. PLease keep your cat indoors or in your yard. These oocysts are easily transmitted to humans, and researchers have explored their possible link to various mental health problems, including schizophrenia. My experience has been that such roaming cat "owners" are with virtually no exception simply are not negotiable in accepting responsibility and manage their animals.... Cat poop is poison RI ST § 4-22-1 . She also was allowed in my unfenced yard and didn't leave. They can free up the space that is wasted on cats and use it for ogs and other non free willed animals. I have helped rescue and foster feral and abandoned cats. I hope you are not suggesting we revisit the doctrine of Separate but Equal. For example, if pet stores must provide documentation on where they obtain the kittens they sell, the state consumer agency would be given regulatory authority to establish rules on how the paperwork and inspections will be conducted. Cats create problems in cities that are different from dog problems, but they are largely unaddressed by lawmakers. Are shelters instructed to pick up or accept stray or lost cats? In Battle Creek, all dogs and cats must be licensed and any animal - whether licensed or unlicensed - must be on a leash a maximum of eight feet long if traveling beyond the owner’s property. No, because it's probably your dog that is pooping in my back yard. they go in my bushes and you can smell the waste. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter. That is the nature of cats and it helped to keep birds from eating the seeds planted in the garden. Good luck talking to a cat "owner" who lets their cats roam.... That is like the landlord who tries to collect rent from a crack addicted tenant. It's far more likely that he got it from bird poop than cat poop. It isn't a matter of what is right or wrong but a matter of how we can respect each other and our differences and live as part of a community. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis. Have data to back that up? People don't make rules for us cats because we are too smart for them and they know we will ignore them anyway. People can be in partnership with cat but they can't be "trained" like a dog. I think the law should treat all animals equally, with some being more equal than others. Happier, definitely not always. please please make it even. Feral cats are not adoptable, they are returned to their colony. Campylobacter infections are one of the most common bacterial infections in humans and usually comes from cattle, pigs and birds. (Michigan Comp. Don't run up barking and growling and scare the heck out of people often in their own yard. Never had my cats attack anyone, although I have had other cats attack me out of fear. Also, while wandering owned cats should be fixed as well, I think it's best for the cat and one's neighbors to keep companion cats strictly indoors. It should have read Big cats should be kept indoors or on leashes. Ann Arbor’s ordinance pertaining to cats require the animals to be vaccinated against rabies. For instance, what is meant by owner, humane care, adequate shelter, cat, feral cat, torture, etc.? So you consider a cat that spends most of it's life indoors and only goes out for an hour or so a day an outdoor cat? Free ride! At least people don't treat their cats like children and feel the need to bring them everywhere. I love all our cats. EyeHeart - It's fine with me as long as your dog weighs less than 15 lbs, avoids interacting with strange humans, covers its waste on its own, and does not make much noise. I disagree. Cats come into contact with bats MORE often than dogs do, leaving a population that is vulnerable. There's no excuse to be an irresponsible pet owner. Because cats and dogs are the same thing? cats leave it in your yard. Apparently so. Do you also know many people who were abducted by aliens in flying saucers? My kid was bit by the neighbors cat. The article states that cats may be more vulnerable to the bite of a rabid bat because cats come in contact with the bats more due to lifestyle. One survived. Cats typically come into contact with a bat more often than dogs do, leaving a population of vulnerable animals that may not be vaccinated against rabies because it’s not mandatory, Reider said. You write. We found it in our garage in the coldest part of winter. When I was younger I taught my cats to walk on a leash. Large carnivores like lions, tigers, and bears are illegal to own, as are apes, baboons, and … Reider said cat licensing is difficult to enforce in municipalities that have passed such ordinances, as many cats wander from house to house and multiple people feed them, Reider said. Sorry but cats do need leashes and need to be contained. and it's definitely dog poop or else we have giant mutant raccoons. Maybe hawks kill bats too. Two facts from the article: there are more stray cats than there are dogs. Two of them are usually back inside within 15 minutes. See, that's why we need to keep dogs under tighter control than cats. Funny, I never heard of a human getting rabies from a cat. And guinea pigs! There should be a law that a cat be registered and inoculated against rabies. I.e., if someone abuses a colony of cats, each cat harmed counts as a separate offense. Ordinances that prohibit pet cats from roaming at large are typically complaint-inspired and complaint-enforced, Reider said. It is unfortunate the amount ire and even violence/abuse that is directed towards cats who are doing their thing - being cats. I used to walk my dog off leash and never had a problem. Josh Guerrlich, 9, leans on his mom Robin as dad John, all of Ann Arbor, pets a black and white tuxedo kitten during the 6th annual Kitty Palooza at the Humane Society of Huron Valley in 2010. Have your credit card ready and place your bet at 555-5555 . One of our cats has been going outside ever since it was a kitten and it's now 10 years old. Though state law keeps dog owners on a relatively short leash, most Michigan cat owners have few legal obligations that they are required to meet.. We had a cat we rescued from freezing to death as a kitten. You ain't seen some of the cats I've seen! I keep my dogs off the neighbors lawns, and I would expect the courtesy to be the same, but it's not with the neighbors cats. Whether you care for community cats, conduct Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), or simply believe all cats deserve to be protected, educating yourself on the law is the number one way to become a powerful, effective advocate. Well the studies all seem to be heavily reliant on projections based on relatively small samples. But certainly not an apt dweller that has no idea what it is like to have cats wondering their yard leaving calling cards! Ordinances and laws pertaining to cats are usually found under the heading of Health or Animal Control. This law needs to change now. If the government will be required to spend funds, a level of spending must be authorized, i.e., permission to spend is given. Quetz, Hope that you don't run into a 50# cat. For example, a bill requiring cats to be sterilized could have a sunset provision that repeals it in five years when the population goal is achieved. New proposed legislation in Michigan would make it illegal for residents to declaw their house cats. With respect to a cat, I have no problem making noise and chasing it away. Summary: The regulation of dogs and cats in Michigan implicates three major issues: licensing and registration of dogs; the regulation of animal control facilities and pet shops; and the ever-present concern of dog bites. As far as claims for body counts of birds, rodents, etc. After all, cats will need places where they can run off-leash occasionally too. Lexis service can also provide the information for a fee. Dogs have to adhere to tighter restrictions because of the Michigan Dog Law of 1919. An indoor cat given enough stimulation should be just as happy as an outdoor cat." Your first sentence is a reasonable proposition. - go? Don't people actually READ these articles? Have you ever allowed them to roam your yard for a few hours? Personally, I would like the licensing to be state-wide so I didn't have to worry about each Michigan county my pets might stay in for extended periods. Whose responsibility is it to keep Person A's cat out of Person B's yard? Cats kept the rodent problem under control in the house and in the barn, chicken coops, etc. “There was a problem more with loose dogs biting people and they wanted to make sure people were safe from a terrible disease,” Reider said. What percent of cats indoor and outdoor are actually vaccinated against rabies in Ann Arbor, since licensure is not required? Outside of Michigan, some states that have attempted a proactive approach to implement laws concerning identification, vaccination and licensing of cats: Though the measure was defeated, a law introduced in Wisconsin in 2005 that would have allowed hunters to shoot any cat found roaming free that did not have a collar or other signs of domestic ownership. My father-in-law almost died from a Campylobacter infection from his next-door neighbors cats which used his garden as a litter box. Does the community cat program authorize TNR but not in any area near wildlife? they do waste just like dogs. Dying from a freak infection does not count as a cat almost killing you as there are many other factors outside of the cat. Maybe it's not common, but I'm just pointing out they can do more damage than just being painful. “At the Michigan Humane Society, our stance on owned cats is that the safest place for owned cats is to be is in the home or under direct supervision.”. If cats are smarter than dogs or people why is it that regardless how many times one chases off a roaming cat, turns the hose on them, yells at them, throw things at them, sic the dogs on them, or shoot at them they keep coming back for more....? I've never heard of a cat attacking a child and mauling it to death, so I don't think they need to be restrained like dogs do. However your second sentence utterly contradicts the first. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see, states that have attempted a proactive approach. There's NO reason for responsible pet owners to let their pets roam freely. So even if cats are not specifically mentioned, they could be included in a law under the definition of a companion animal or domesticated animals. I put the over/under for comments on this one at 178. It may seem harsh that they never go outside, but they have plenty of windows and a daily dose of "The Chipmunk Show", "The Baby Bunny Show" and the "The Mourning Dove Family Show". That is, a large portion of cat "owners" do not consider the problems caused by letting their cats run an issue. Rabbit and cat poop help to fertilize the plants. Who's voting this comment down??? Speak to an Experienced Pet Law Attorney Today This article is intended to be helpful and informative. I brought a cat back with me from France, and the requirement was for it to have had a rabies shot within the previous month in order to enter the country... not that the customs guy wanted to see the papers when I did get here. Or quote a Michigan auto insurance policy online to see your coverage options. Department of Agriculture & Rural Development - General Requirements for bringing animals into the State of Michigan. if you're too LAZY to take CARE of any pet, cat or dog, don't get one. There are three levels of U.S. law: federal, state, and local. If we want cats and dogs treated equally, the city better have as may cat parks as they do dog parks. AMOC, I know the difference between dog poop, raccoons, etc. Never mind that cats on the loose are very destructive of birds - several a day - which they just kill not eat if they have a food bowl. “There’s a mentality that cat’s aren’t happy unless they’re outside and I don’t think that’s true,” said Deb Kern, marketing director for HSHV. Very few have ever had owners and are mostly feral. More recently, studies of school-age children show a correlation between testing positive for T. gondii and having difficulty in school. Can't come up with any meaningful legislation ideas. Who's with me?!? Cats may be safer indoors, but they're happier outside. leashing is a little tougher unless you start the cat out young but it can be done. Been there done that! 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