The difference between cat and dog guardianship is the value placed on the animal. Sadly, cats are viewed as disposable, easily replaced and often obtained for free on Kijiji and other buy and sell community pages. This leads to difficulties when reconciling the cost of microchipping, spay/neuter, licensing etc. all which are all part of the adoption process.
Cats do not ‘do well’ in the country and farms do not need more cats to control rodent populations. There is a disconnect that discarding cats in rural environments comes at no risk to the cat as they will find refuge in barns and be cared for. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In Edmonton all domestic cats are required to hold a valid City of Edmonton cat license but are allowed to roam (Animal Licensing & Control Bylaw 13145). Cat owners are required to make sure their pets don’t wander onto other people’s property without permission, but otherwise they’re free to roam which means an unaltered cat can impregnate or become pregnant adding to the spread of unwanted litters.
Did you know that it is estimated that there are over 70,000 feral and community cats living without human homes within the City of Edmonton.
Do your part – spay or neuter your cat to prevent the spread of unwanted litters.