Are feral cats domestic or wild animals? Under state law, the
cats – most of which were born in the wild and are terrified of
humans – are domestic.
“Feral cats are not something the Game Commission has
jurisdiction over,” said Jerry Feaser, press secretary of the
Pennsylvania Game Commission, on Tuesday. “They are not considered
wildlife.”
The Bradford City Council has been mulling over legislation to
deal with the problem of feral cats within the city at the request
of several residents, who feel their neighborhood is overrun
because a few residents are feeding the strays.
One option council is considering is to contract the services of
Robert Knell of Duke Center, who is licensed by the Game Commission
as a wildlife pest control agent for all of McKean County.
Feaser explained Tuesday there is no license the Game Commission
can grant that gives a person jurisdiction over cats.
“The Game Commission has no authority, oversight or anything for
feral cats,” he said. “People who are issued pest control permits
through us may dispose of (feral cats) through some other
jurisdiction, but are not doing so through the authority of the
Game Commission.”
That authority must be granted by some municipal law, which is
what City Council is considering for Knell.
While the Game Commission has no authority over the issue,
Feaser said there are programs the agency endorses.
“The Game Commission encourages owners to keep cats indoors,
spayed and neutered to prevent proliferation,” he said. “Cats left
to run wild will have an impact on native wildlife.
“We certainly encourage communities to take a stand against
feral cats being allowed to run wild,” Feaser said. And they do not
endorse a plan of trap/neuter/release.
“We endorse programs whereby pet owners act responsibly and keep
their pets indoors,” he said. “If you are going to take the time
and money to trap and spay or neuter them, don’t release them back
into the wild where they don’t belong anyway.”
The Humane Society of the United States says, “laws requiring
that cats be kept indoors or under supervision when outdoors are
the most effective way for communities to gradually eliminate their
cat-related problems and ensure that cats receive the protection
and care they deserve.”
Dick Gorton, president of the McKean County SPCA, did not return
calls Tuesday seeking comment on the issue of feral cats. In the
past, the organization’s position had been that they lacked the
financial resources and the manpower for enforcing any law passed
by the city – especially since the agency serves the entire
county.
Gorton had also said in the past that he had concerns over
euthanizing a tame cat to make room for an onslaught of feral cats
at the shelter.
