Sandra K. Galloway: City refuses to enforce feral cat law
We have a huge problem with our neighbor feeding stray cats. At times, we have had 13 cats laying in our front yard. At last count, there are eight adult cats and two litters of kittens living there and one pregnant cat.
I contacted Stanislaus Animal Control trying to get some help with this problem. My letter was forwarded to John Bear, of the Modesto police department’s animal control unit. He emailed this to me: “City of Modesto Municipal Code 10-3.202(a)(2) allows for a maximum three adult cats per dwelling. Animal ownership is described as any person harboring, keeping or providing care or sustenance to a domestic animal. Persons registered with the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency as a feral cat caretaker are excluded.”
Since my neighbor harbors, feeds and supplies a place for these cats to sleep, I consider them hers, not ferals. I explained that to Officer Bear. His answer? I am taking the law too literally. I don’t understand taking a law too literally; a law is a law. We need help with all of these cats, and I do not know where to turn next.
Sandra K. Galloway, Modesto
This story was originally published October 3, 2016 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Sandra K. Galloway: City refuses to enforce feral cat law."