EDITORIAL: Pet census should help control population

A dog and cat census for the city is not such a bad idea. It may seem strange to some, tracking dogs and cats, but really, look around sometime and you’ll see lots and lots of strays.

Animal control in the city is out of control, according to animal activists.

If licensing leads to improvements in tracking and less dog and cat abandonment, then we’re all for it. As it is now, people just decide to let their pets loose when they become too much to handle or they can’t afford them anymore. We’re sure there are other reasons, too, but abandonment is never good. Period.

And while the city is out licensing dogs, cats should be accounted for too. There are far more stray cats than dogs. Officials doing the census shouldn’t just ask homeowners about the cats in the home they are visiting, but also any others — stray or feral — in the area that they are aware of.

All of this promotes positive pet ownership. Plus, the funds raised from registering the dogs and cats can go toward spay and neutering programs or even help the Eastern Niagara Animal Welfare Alliance Inc. get the shelter they are raising money for.

Published: May 03, 2009 12:33 am