Help save innocent cats from being trapped and murdered due to a downright unreasonable feline leash law.
. My family allows our two cats to go outside as they please; they are neutered and vaccinated, completely friendly, and stay at home for a good bit of the day. Many other families in the neighborhood allow their feline friends to roam as well.
These cats don't cause trouble. I've personally come across some neighborhood cats while on walks. Many of them will come when called, and will try to play with you, encouraging you to stop and pet them. They aren't mean or even vaguely dangerous, they're just looking for affection.
But Highland Oaks Townhomes wants to implement a mandatory leash law for cats. Quick question- how many people actually put their inside/outside cats on a leash? While some people have had success training kittens to accept harnesses, older cats like my own will fight them. Leash training a cat takes time and effort that a lot of families can't give, not to mention the fact that older cats will destroy a harness.
You can't expect a cat to stay in a fence the way a dog would; as long as they have claws, they can jump over barriers with ease. But declawing is cruel, and has been proven to cause permanent nerve and psychological damage to cats. Collars can be dangerous, as they can easily be caught and strangle the poor creature.
However, for some bizzare reason, Highland Oaks Townhomes chooses to enforce a leashing regulation for cats. I've never heard of this before and it's utterly ridiculous. For a dog? Sure! Dogs are receptive to training, and most can't jump fences. But a cat is much, much harder to contain and train.
So what are they doing about these cats off leashes? Some people are setting traps to catch these cats and they will be sent to a shelter that puts animals to sleep if they aren't adopted. Owners will not be informed if their pets are at the shelter, even if the animal is collared or has a tracking chip. A rather hefty fee is charged to anyone wanting to take an animal, even if it's their pet that was trapped or lost.
In the summer heat of Texas, it can and does reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit- any animal stuck outside without water for a prolonged period could easily die. These traps only endanger local cats, as well as other wildlife like squirrels,possums, and groundhogs. This is animal cruelty, at the hands of the people who are meant to help animals.
How can you help? Sign this petition. Let Highland Oaks Townhomes know what you think of their feline leash regulations, and let them know that you think these traps are a danger to local animals.
