Cities Pass Cat Curfews: Cats Keep Doing Whatever They Want

[brooklynite]

Atlas Obscura:

Curfews are usually reserved for unruly teens and convicted felons. But increasingly, governments are trying to apply them to an even more slippery target—cats.

Earlier today, felines were once again put on notice, as Australia announced its intention to encourage a curfew that would keep cats off the streets and, more importantly, out of the woods.

...snip...

The Australian federal government is merely the latest in a series of of authorities who have tried to protect other species by slapping cats with curfews. Some Australian towns are ahead of the game—cats living in certain Sydney suburbs can’t show their paws out of doors from dusk until dawn, for fear they’ll go tearing through nearby wildlife preserves (they also must wear two bells at all times). And since the Yarra Ranges community council imposed a wall-to-wall curfew last year, cats seen off their property are subject to formal complaints, trapping, and, worst-case scenario, a new, fully caged life in the local pound.

...snip...

Of course, cat curfews are difficult to enforce. As Sydney-based veterinarian Dr. Anne Fawcett pointed out on her blog, Small Animal Talk, last year, “animals have NO IDEA of the rules.” And even if they did understand human laws, cats of all creatures would probably have no qualms breaking them.

[Eleanors38]

1. Well, they were shooting them, but the guns have_________*poof*.

[SoCalNative]

2. Easiest way to solve the problem?

Don't let your cats outside, people! Keep them indoors, and they will be much healthier.

[brooklynite]

3. Not a chance...

We have an enclosed back yard and they love going out. The smarter birds know to keep clear.

[Cleita]

5. Actually, the Jays and Quail took care of my kitty. He avoids birds all together now

and concentrates on the rodents.

[restorefreedom]

8. my guess is that

your kitties are not causing the kind of devastation they are concerned about if they are in a yard. the biggest concern are free roaming housecats or semi ferals, especially if they are not altered (which is a whole 'nother conversation unto itself).

[dsc]

11. my dog got a bird not too long ago

I felt horrible. I had him on lead but was letting him run a bit since it was in my yard. I had no idea he would actually catch a bird but catch it he did. He made short work of that bird.

[Arugula Latte]

4. Ours are indoor kitties but they have a "catio" to go out and get fresh air, watch the birdies, etc.

[Cleita]

6. Cats are trainable. It's hard but you can do it.

I have mine trained to come in before sundown. It's because of the coyotes. I don't worry much about coyotes during the day because cars and people moving around keeps them in their dens.

[Aerows]

9. Mine does the same thing.

She goes out in the morning, but by sundown, she is parked by the door waiting to come in.

She's like a little dog, though, I can call her and she comes bolting like a streak of lightning .

[Retrograde]

14. Skunks, racoons and traffic here

The cats are only allowed out during the day when someone's home. One of them complains about it every evening, but usually shuts up when it gets dark. He's never caught anything, but he annoys the gophers so they go somewhere else.

[restorefreedom]

7. this not only benefits wildlife

it benefits the cats and their humans. cats are less likely to get killed by a variety of means, and less likely chance of getting a disease that they could bring back home (rabies, various parasites, ringworm are just a few that could be passed to humans).

[Sam_Fields]

10. Cats are psychopaths! We must outlaw cats.

[kydo]

12. The Aussies need to watch that Geico add about what cats do ....

Cats do what they want, they don't need no stinking human laws ... Like they care. Some how I doubt any feline will be shaking in their (no pun intended) boots over this law. Now if they said punishment will be dealt out by this one dentist from Minnesota and that vet from Texas, maybe the owners might try to keep kitty in the house. But seriously, good luck with that law ....

[Iliyah]

13. Geez, I hope they don't start destroying them.