This article was published previously on CambridgeToday.
Letting your cat roam freely is illegal in Cambridge as it is in many neighbouring cities, but that doesn't stop many pet owners from doing it anyway.
A recent poll of readers on Village Media sites shows a near even split in opinion on whether cats should be allowed to roam city streets.
The bottom line is that it's not legal and the Cambridge and District Humane Society says it can result in a fine for owners and in some cases having their animals seized by an angry neighbour and put up for adoption.
Michelle Gelatly, executive director of CHS, reminds cat owners that letting their cats run loose can be costly and even fatal for their furry friends.
"Unfortunately, there are some people that believe cats should be outside," said Gellatly. "What I remind them and my officers remind them, is that the worst thing that we see is when they have to come in and they have to actually identify the body, because the cat has been out and about and it's been hit by a car. I think that it's so tragic and it's so unnecessary."
The humane society will often see cats killed by cars or other wildlife such as coyotes that are known to frequent the city.
The evidence to support keeping cats indoors is immense, not only for the health of the cats, but other wildlife. Nature Canada says outdoor cats are responsible for the deaths of billions of birds every year and has a campaign dedicated to promoting the value of keeping cats indoors where they enjoy longer lives free from disease and injury that can rack up vet bills for their owners.
Cambridge has an animal bylaw that restricts residents from letting their animals outside alone or "running at large." In the same bylaw, it also states that animals should not trespass on private property.
Enforcement of the city's animal control bylaw falls to officers with the humane society and residents are encouraged to call animal services if an outdoor cat becomes a problem.
The humane society also tries to educate new owners about the bylaw when they adopt from the facility. Details of the bylaw also gets around by word of mouth, including the consequences of having your animal picked up by animal control.
"Whenever we have someone coming in to claim a cat, we always reinforce the bylaw. We try and give them an opportunity to not let it happen again," added Gellatly.
The bylaw states that the city has the power to impound and seize any animal running at large.
Residents also have the power to catch and detain an animal that is trespassing on their property and turn them over to animal control. Residents are not allowed to set any animal traps within city limits.
Gellatly has encountered multiple individuals who let their cats roam outdoors only to find them posted on the Humane Society's Facebook page for adoption.
"Our goal is always reunification," she said. "We do our best to work one-on-one with the situation at hand, make sure we're trained and we're doing our very best for the animal."
In 2024, over 500 cats have been though the doors at the humane society and they can hold up to 100 cats at once. The centre is almost always at capacity.
According to the animal bylaw, the city and animal control also have the power to "dispose" of any animals that have not been claimed in more than three days. Gellatly confidently adds that they have never had to euthanize someone's pet to make room in the shelter and they will stay with them until they can be adopted.
"That is another misconception, we never euthanize for space and that's what slows down the surrender process and people get really frustrated with us, but we can't move one in until we move one out," she said.
The humane society also has an online reporting tool for any bylaw-related offences such as loose animals, overcrowded homes, exotic pets and dog bites.
