* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Henry
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Feral Cats
For the purpose of requesting that representatives from the Health Department’s Office of Animal Control appear before the City Council to discuss feral cats in Baltimore and whether the City’s current approach to feral cats should be modified or remain the same.
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Recitals
Feral cats, cats that are unsocialized to humans and have a temperament of extreme fear of and resistance to contact with humans, are a reality in all communities, and Baltimore is no exception. Over time, understandings about how they should be treated have evolved and a number of different approaches to managing their presence in urban areas have been tried.
Nearly 10 years ago Baltimore changed its laws on, and approach to, feral cats to encourage efforts by the City and private individuals to trap, alter, vaccinate, ear tip, and return feral cats. Provisions were also added to the law to allow feral cat caregivers to engage with feral cats and feral cat colonies without violating City law.
A decade into this approach it is appropriate to review how it is working in Baltimore and whether or not changes may be required. The effects of this policy on cats, communities, and Animal Control employees should be examined to see if it is succeeding in its goals or if modifications to the current approach would benefit everyone involved.
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