Can I Get A Fine For Feeding Stray Cats?
The possibility of receiving a fine for feeding cats or other stray animals is a legal aspect that can vary considerably by city, state or country.
In Brazil, there is no law or decree that explicitly prohibits or encourages the feeding of stray animals. Despite this, experts recommend avoiding this type of practice. Below, we’ll share more information on the subject and explain why this action is not recommended at this time.
Is feeding stray cats legal?
Unfortunately, pet abandonment is on the rise. Despite several awareness campaigns, there are still those who decide to abandon their pets.
While there are many individuals and organizations willing to help these helpless beings, several legal issues must be considered before doing so.
There is no national law that prohibits feeding cats or other stray animals. However, each country, state or city can make its own decision on the topic. A good example of this is the City Council of Aranda, Spain, which banned the feeding of stray cats and imposes fines of up to 750 euros if the rule is violated.
The reasons for the ban
There are several reasons behind this decision, although the main one is to avoid the proliferation of feline colonies in the city, in order to preserve public health.
Stray cats, without strict veterinary control, can carry different diseases, in addition to generating bad smell and dirt. In addition, city officials argue that the presence of cats attracts other types of animals in urban areas.
According to various city regulations, feeding stray cats creates problems for neighbors ; in practice, cats increase the health and hygiene problems that society may have.
In addition to the fact that feeding cats can affect the health of neighbors, it is also an act not recommended for the health of the animal. What reasons should be considered?
Many people give unsuitable food to cats. In addition to not meeting the feline’s proper nutritional requirements, they can also be extremely detrimental to your overall health.
Help for stray animals
While the act of feeding stray animals is prohibited in some places, it’s also true that you can find other ways to help them. Again, it is essential to look for information about the laws of each location.
- One way to help stray cats or other animals is to rescue them and take them to nearby shelters or rescue centers. They can also be taken to an animal shelter or veterinary clinic.
- Another very useful type of action, especially if it is not possible to help them directly, is to contact these entities by telephone and transmit information about the animal in question.
- In addition to all this, if the person is passionate about animals and defends their welfare, it is possible to work as a volunteer in various rescue centers across the country.
- Another additional recommendation is to try to make people aware of the responsibility towards pets. For that, you don’t need to be a great audiovisual producer or have a lot of money, just use different social networks.
The best way to avoid a fine for feeding stray cats is to learn about the laws and penal codes that each city, state or country has.
It is important to emphasize that giving food is not the only effective way to help animals; there are many others that can be equally or more useful for the animal’s well-being and for society in general.
