Subject: Cats Indoors!
Date: Apr 8 11:39:22 1999
From: BrewsPad at aol.com - BrewsPad at aol.com


Hello Tweeters:

I had responded directly to Jeff Kruse thinking that my email was going to
the TWEETERS list, so will repeat a little of what I wrote regarding cats.

I live in an apartment complex in Kent, and my bird feeders eventually began
attracting large quantities of cats from within the complex. My patio is
enclosed by a 6 foot fence and this didn't even slow them down. I complained
to the complex (actually - simple) manager who did nothing about it. I then
called King County Animal Control and found that the leash law applies
equally to both dogs and cats. I know that this law applies within
incorporated cities in the county outside of Seattle, so I am not sure if
Seattle has a similar law but I believe that it does. I was advised by the
Animal Control individual that if I wished, I could legally set non-injurious
cat traps (available at most rental agencies) on my patio and as I caught
them that I could then call Animal Control to have them picked up. However,
they don't rush right out and get them, but "usually" do so within 24 hours.
With all of the cats I was getting and because of the potential conflicts
with all my neighbors I simply lived with it until I finally gave up feeding
the birds (and cats) altogether. Unleashed dogs around here are rare,
unleashed cats are all over the place. Not only do they catch birds but they
poop in my flower garden (and other peoples gardens as well). As a former
cat owner who used to let mine run loose, I now believe that people who do
this have no regard for their neighbors, and in many cases are actually
violating the law.

Jim Brewster
BrewsPad at aol.com
Kent Washington