Cat-licensing ordinance needed

If the City Council is going to draft an ordinance making cat dumping a misdemeanor, a companion ordinance requiring cats to be licensed should be drafted.

In order to be licensed, cat owners would be required to provide proof the cats were vaccinated. Such an ordinance would also provide additional revenue for animal services, which could be used to put more boots on the ground to enforce the new ordinances.

In an environment in which many cities, counties and states are dealing with the challenges of budget deficits, I question why dogs must be licensed and cats are not.

The figures confirm more cats are euthanized than dogs. I think the numbers would drop if cats were licensed. I would hope dogs would be included in the dumping ordinance. Let's level the playing field!

TED M. RUPERT

Manteca