There are definately better ways!

Michael Fitzgerald does a moderately okay job on recordnet.com pointing out the pitfalls in a cat licensing law proposed in Stockton CA in a post entitled "Cat tags: noble cause, many flaws". Cat licensing is, to put it mildly IMO, stupid. Compliance is dismal and it accomplishes nothing. But Michael ends his article with:

"Despite all the holes one can punch in the proposed law, its proponents deserve credit for declaring a halt to the unchallenged extermination of thousands of animals. On that part, I'm with them. You should be, too.

If I could suggest a better way, I would. Can you?

Contact columnist Michael Fitzgerald at (209) 546-8270 or michaelf@recordnet.com. "

Oh yeah, I can suggest some better ways! Let's start with determining the source of the animals in Stockton's shelters, then implementing policies directed at those specific sources. If the main source is strays or ferals, TNR and support for spay/neuter to low income homes. Low income families who can no longer afford to keep their pets will either set them free (strays) or surrender them to the shelters. They ain't never gonna buy no license! Whatever the source is, it must be known first and then an appropriate policy applied or nothing will work.

What's the danger in trying cat licensing? Simple - it lulls people into a false sense that they are trying something, and that's worse than trying nothing. Other methods that could work won't be tried. Enacting an unenforceable law that will have almost no compliance is not a good idea at all! We don't need more laws, especially laws that won't work. We need solutions.

So let's all let Michael know there are better ways than a law no one will obey.