PARRY SOUND - Local cat owners may soon want to be wary about letting Fluffy out for his evening roam. That’s because the Town is considering a cat bylaw that would see all outdoor felines licensed and tagged and rounded up if they are caught roaming at large. “I disagree with the proposed bylaw,” said local cat owner Paul MacKay. “I think it could be detrimental to the cat’s safety to have a collar on it. And I don’t believe any money needs to be spent on picking up cats. They’re quite self-sufficient.” Based on complaints from William Street residents, and a poll conducted by the Town, owners of outdoor cats will have to get them licensed and tagged if the proposed bylaw is passed. At its April 5 meeting, council received a report from bylaw enforcement officer Tammy Purdy outlining possible guidelines for implementing a bylaw to prohibit cats from running at large. One of those guildelines includes a $10 licensing fee for neutered cats and a $35 fee for un-neutered ones. Town staff conducted a community opinion poll, municipality research, gathered general information on cats and existing cat bylaws, as well as contacting the OSPCA for its opinion. In the fall of 2004, the Town distributed 3,000 surveys to area households and businesses. Of those, only 109 were returned, or approximately four per cent. Despite the low return, staff learned that 76 per cent of those who responded said they have a problem with stray cats, and 83 per cent believed that cats should be regulated. “Cats have destroyed our window screens and our siding. They urinate on our decks and barbeques and doorways. They walk on our cars,” said Frances Hall. “In general, they are a nuisance.” Cat owner Mr. MacKay said people can protect their gardens with inexpensive and harmless sprays and powders. He also agrees that the complaints are valid, however, he doesn’t think it should be up to the Town to monitor cats. OSPCA branch coordinator Ruth Galley told council that her organization receives numerous calls each week from residents complaining that stray cats are in their yards and garbage. “Our shelter is constantly inundated with strays, which are never claimed, as there is no form of identification, be it microchipping or tags,” added Ms Galley. The proposed bylaw would encompass the following: n Tags must be worn by outdoor cats in either break-away collar form or be micro-chipped. Residents who don’t comply will be fined $125; before the license is issued, proof of vaccination is required; and cats who are exclusively kept indoors will be exempt from requiring a license, however, if they’re caught outside the bylaw will apply. Councillor Conrad van der Valk recommended the exemption of indoor cats. “Indoor cats are not at large and they’re not at risk of being at large. I don’t know why we would apply it to animals who are not a nuisance,” said Mr. van der Valk. Bylaw enforcement officer Ms Purdy said that council would need to look at getting an impounding facility, as the Town currently doesn’t have one. She also suggested that revenue from licensing could be “allocated to offset the cost to administer the bylaw and future pound-keeper contract,” she said. Councillor Richard Adams said, “I’m going to support this because I know the survey we conducted is indicative of concerns that people have who live next to neighbours who don’t take care of their cats.”