WINNIPEG — The cat population in Winnipeg is out of control, according to the city, but now a city committee has taken a major step toward getting it back under control.
Councillors voted, 3 to 1 in favour of requiring cat owners license their felines, similar to the dog licence that was introduced last year.
“I think it’s a tax grab and it feeds into a cat beaurocracy, if you will,” said Coun. Scott Fielding, who voted against the licence.
But the Winnipeg Humane Society says it’s necessary.
“It is an issue and it’s not going away,” said humane society chief executive officer Bill McDonald.
It’s estimated there are more than 100,000 cats in the city. Many are owned but many more are wild or feral, roaming city streets.
The $15-a-year fee will go toward spay and neuter programs and possibly fund a stand-alone clinic.
“You have city facilities all over the city — buildings that are not full. Give us a building, a dollar a year lease, we’ll go out and engage the public, donators, volunteers,” said McDonald.
In 2012, the Winnipeg Humane Society received 5,800 cats. While some were adopted or returned to their owners, 2,500 had to be euthanized.
“There are so many cats and so few spaces,” said McDonald.
But not all cat rescue shelters like the licence; Craig Street Cats feels it’ll punish law-abiding citizens.
“Unless the city plans to send officers door to door with warrants to enter private homes to search for cats, the bylaw is unenforceable,” said Lynne Scott with Craig Street Cats.
Cat licensing would be a new part to the responsible pet ownership bylaw, which is still to be debated. It needs to pass two more votes, including one by city council as a whole.
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