Keep tabs on your tabby or face a fine: Council votes to include cats in animal roaming law

Newly sworn-in Edmonds Police Sgt. Josh McClure gets a kiss from his daughter Ashley after she pins on his badge at Tuesday night's council meeting.
With Police Chief Al Compaan looking on, newly sworn-in Edmonds Police Sgt. Josh McClure gets a kiss from his daughter Ashtyn after she pins on his badge at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Ashley is delighted after her dad is introduced.
Ashtyn is delighted after her dad is introduced.

After listening to a litany of dangers and irritations posed by cats on the prowl — from the diseases they carry, to the birds and other wildlife they kill, to the fur they leave behind after sitting uninvited on outdoor furniture — the Edmonds City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday night to include cats in an ordinance already on the books aimed at preventing animals from roaming freely. Councilmember Joan Bloom cast the sole dissenting vote on the measure.

The move reversed a decision by the council last year to exclude cats from the ordinance, a move that received much criticism from nearly everyone who came to speak during a public hearing on the matter Tuesday night. Among the points made by those favoring the inclusion of cats in the “Running at Large” law:

– Health issues: One speaker testified he has to clean disease-carrying cat waste out of his vegetable garden daily, while a second cited the connection between toxoplasmosis found in cat droppings and mental health problems.

– Bird and wildlife impacts: A different speaker noted that house cats and feral (wild) cats combined contribute to the death of an estimated 434 million to 1.1 billion U.S. birds every year.

– Dangers to themselves: A few speakers spoke to the increased risks that cats face when allowed outdoors: being hit by a car, killed by another animal or poisoned, for example.

According to the ordinance, it will now be a civil violation for cat owners to allow their animals “to run at large during any hours of the day or night” with fourth and subsequent violations being misdemeanor offenses. In addition, animal control officers may seize and impound any animal found roaming free.

In other action, the council:

– Observed the swearing-in ceremony of Edmonds Police Sgt. Josh McClure, a veteran officer who started with the department at age 17 as an Edmonds Police Explorer.

– Approved to continue by a 5-2 vote an existing city moratorium on marijuana dispensaries. Councilmembers speaking in favor said the moratorium would give the city some additional breathing room while the Washington State Liquor Control Board finishes its work on regulations stemming from the voter-approved pot legalization initiative. Councilmembers Strom Peterson and Adrienne Fraley-Monillas voted no.

– Voted 4-3 to rescind an interim zoning ordinance that would have amended the city’s critical areas ordinance, a measure that was specifically aimed at accommodating the design of the city’s new spray feature at City Park. Bloom, who had originally supported the interim ordinance when it came before the council earlier this summer, said she had a change of heart after learning that the law could potentially allow paving and an increase in impervious surface in wetland buffers in other parts of the city.

– Authorized Mayor Dave Earling to accept $50,000 in grant money from the Washington State Department of Ecology for stormwater work, and another retrofit/local improvement district project grant of up to $120,000.

– After some discussion, decided to refer to a future meeting a conversation with Finance Director Roger Neumaier on options for approaching the 2014 city budget.

– Also deferred to a future meeting a discussion about developing a city Code of Ethics.

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Congratulations to Joan Bloom for not voting for an absurd piece of legislation. The cat ordinance is ridiculous for so many reasons…

    The vast majority of birds that are killed are done in by feral cats. And guess what else cats kill? Rodents. Yep–domestic cats kill more mice and rats than they do birds. I had the electrical system of my brand new car chewed out by rats a few years ago in Edmonds. I would see rats run back and forth on my fences mocking me on a daily basis. Add a few cats–no more rat problem.

    Before Edmonds became the suburban paradise that we know and love, there were natural predators that fed on wildlife. We’ve displaced the wolves, cougars, bob-cats, wolverines, etc. that would otherwise be keeping the populations of birds and small mammals in control.

    While it’s true that many people have been infected with Toxoplasmosis, the vast majority will never even know they have it. Unless your immunity is compromised by AIDS or other problems, or you are pregnant, the odds of you having any complications at all from Toxoplasmosis is insignificant.

    Birds are also carriers of several diseases that infect humans, including (drum-roll, please) Toxoplasmosis. If you don’t want to catch it, wash your hands, and don’t eat raw meat. If you don’t want cats pooping in your garden, get a dog, or use a barrier, such as strategically-placed-to-annoy-cats wooden BBQ skewers stuck around your plants (pointy side down).

    And while I know people say that keeping cats indoors is doing them a favor, I am certain that to a cat, being cooped up on a sunny day, or warm night, feels something like being locked in a high security prison. Would you rather have a long miserable life, or a joyful happy life, with a chance of an early demise?

    I have had two outdoor cats make it past the twenty-year mark, and while I know that this is not proof that outdoor cats live just as long as indoor cats, I do know that my cats were happy and well adjusted and didn’t whine and cry in despair when they saw a moth flit by the kitchen window, forever out of reach.

    Cat hair on your furniture a problem? Here’s and idea… Cover it, or vacuum it. Voila! Problem solved.

    I, for one, plan on continuing to let my mighty hunter kitty-man run free. If he shows up on the front porch with jaws around a spotted owl, I may reconsider, but until then I will let him roam, pounce meander and fertilize gardens as he will. Go ahead and report me for letting my cat run free.

    My cat? What cat? I don’t own a cat…

    I know people feel really irritated when they can’t control every detail of their environment. Life can be hard, and daunting and frustratingly unpredictable.

    After coping with the noisy neighbors, the guy who cut you off in traffic, the nagging wife/cheating husband, crying baby, mean boss, and lippy back-talking teenager, etc. it might be really easy to find a cat pooping on your petunias and think that it is the source of all evils in your life. But it’s not. It’s not.

    You will never be able to keep all the cats in. And cats possess an uncanny ability to go where they are not wanted. I know this can be hard to tolerate when you feel entitled to control and regulation of all creatures domestic and wild in your own personal habitat, but perhaps the domestic cat–despite the thousands of years we have spent trying to tame it, is Nature’s way of reminding us that She is in charge, not us.

    1. I totally agree. I keep my cats inside, but just try keeping an indoor-outdoor cat inside. Those poor cats will end up at a shelter to be euthanized, which is just criminal. Shame on council.

    2. Thank you Catherine for your common sense reply! I don’t like crows and think they should be banished due to their noise pollution and aggression towards song birds. I have a friend who is afraid of birds – song birds and crows shouldn’t be allowed in her yard. People: take a breath!

  2. Cat owners, do not dismay. Council had the wisdom to not strike 5.05.010C, so cats are still allowed outside on a “leash, cord or chain no longer than eight feet”.

    Perhaps some enterprising person can open a “cat leash” store in Edmonds to accommodate what will surely be a huge demand. Think about the tourism draw! And for those who are not cat owners, they could sell rodent leashes, since the demand for those will surely rise as well.

    In the meantime, a search for “cat leash” on Amazon.com yields 227 results, so there’s no need to wait for the new store.

  3. Disappointing. I look forward to any enterprising council member who knocks on my door, asking for my vote.

  4. This is a shame. I appreciate Catherine Nichols’ reply. Beyond her claims, of which I disagree with none, the economic impact of catching cats cannot be negligible. Not to mention the economic impact of humanely euthanizing them when that time comes. And for those that make the argument that cats shouldn’t be let outside for fear of them harming themselves, I know for a fact that Edmonds doesn’t have the facilities to store them alive. Thus, euthanizations will be the only way. The city will actually be causing increased danger to cats…who by the way…will still be found outdoors. This is an absolutely ridiculous piece of time-wasting, money-wasting, energy-wasting legislation.

    I don’t own a cat, but this legislation makes me want to own several, and let them run free.

  5. Cats should not be outdoors. They can and do have rich, interesting, longer lives if they are indoor cats. I’m not interested in what my cat might say about being locked up. They lay in the sun, chase each other, sit in laps, and generally live a long healthy life. They don’t come in with abscesses, other fight wounds, they don’t disappear one night leaving me to wonder if they were hit by a car, caught and tortured, poisoned, eaten, or laying in the weeds suffering and dying an agonizing death.

  6. I’m amazed that any pet owner thinks it’s ok in a city environment to allow their animal (dog, cat, chicken, snake, etc.) to roam the neighborhood, doing their “business” on their neighbors’ property. Points made as to why cats should be allowed to roam free could be made for dogs – a neighbor of mine has a terrier that’s great at sniffing out moles and digging them up, and what dog wouldn’t rather be outside sitting under the neighbor’s big-leaf maple on a hot summer day. The idea is simple: you have a pet, control your pet.

  7. Is the city going to build an off-leash Cat Park on par with the Dog Park at Marina Beach?

    You can let your dog outside to run off leash in the back yard without them getting loose. Cats always find ways to exert their independence.

    Cats have chosen to live alongside humans for thousands of years, and it’s been a mutually beneficial arrangement. But if you think they would prefer to sit on our laps all day over running free and chasing mice, you are deluded. If staying in the house is so wonderful, and cats are happy there, why don’t you leave your door open, and see how long they choose to stay indoors with you.

    If cat poop bothers you so much, what are you going to do about all the other animals that poop on your property? Raccoons, squirrels, rats, mice, bats, birds, worms… Maybe those who are so bothered by what is basically fertilizer should install protective bubbles over their property.

    1. I can’t remember the last time I stepped in a pile of squirrel or mouse excrement. And I’m sure it isn’t as smelly dog feces. Also if I owned a pet squirrel, mouse, raccoon, etc., I wouldn’t let it roam and make the neighbors deal with the consequence of it. The issue really isn’t just about cats, dogs, or any other animal; it’s about living in close proximity with others a being considerate of your neighbor.

  8. Thanks Catherine Nichols – could not have said it better myself. Seems a lot of people need to get lives and stop hanging around Edmonds city council meetings…

  9. I think there are some Edmonds residents that should move out in the countryside if you can find some. maybe living in the city for some puts them in danger of too many stress of city living. with all tne time, energy, money etc spent by our city council figuring out what to do next, I have a new idea. The city should hire a group of local down town folks ie some of the seniors that could use extra income, to walk up and down the byways and walkways of Edmonds picking up dog poop off side walks, flower beds etc and picking up some of the litter we see all over the place such as coffee cups, food wrappers, drink bottles, baby wipes, disaposible diapers. I should think that we could make a law forr that as it isn’t very inviting to economic development to see trash everywhere. Plus it atracks rodents and bird droppings. maybe we could diaper birds. Yes! that would be a good one.

  10. My neighbor’s cat parks herself in the bushes near my bird feeder and catches (murders?) countless birds. Then she proceeds to my raised vegetable beds to do her business. So much for organic gardening! I welcome this ordinance. And I love cats — currently owning two that stay indoors at all times. They don’t need to be roaming outside, primarily for their health and safety. but also in consideration for my neighbors.

    1. Did you know the rats eat your veggies, apples and pears? They are in our trees in our yard with our dog fenced in.
      They damaged our car last week eating the insulation.They do their business in your veggie garden and touch your fruit.
      They walk and sit on your outdoor table settings and chairs, crawl on your childrens toys and eat the plastic, they crawl on your bike handles and eat the rubber and the kids touch it and so do you, then you touch yourself your face and food.
      We have a tough time sleeping at night because the dog wants to go get the rats there has been an increase in rats we see them in the neighborhood in the trees all over the place this is a very nice neighborhood and it is clean.
      You better rethink do you want a cat in your yard now and then or rats living in your home, under your house, shed and in your car?

  11. What a shame. Apparently our policy makers have nothing better to do than lock up little cats and spend our tax dollars on nonsensical roundabouts at 5-Corners.

  12. Wow, this insane. This definitely a first world problem that isn’t really a problem at all. What a waste of time.

  13. They say timing is everything and one would need to have their head in the sand to miss the recent articles and opinion pieces about the destructive nature of cats to our wildlife community. So while other cities, and even entire nations, are strengthening laws regarding cat containment our city council made the irrational decision in 2012 to abolish an avant-garde ordinance passed in 2007 after many of months of testimony and a cost of $18,000. The outcry arising from both non-cat and responsible cat owners can no longer be ignored but is soundly confirmed in conclusive evidence arising not from self-serving sentiment but from carefully monitored research being compiled by those in our global scientific community. How absurd is the situation where a citizen is forced to assume the irritatingly unpleasant task for keeping neighbors’ cats off their property instead of it being the responsibility of pet owners to keep their cats safely contained. Cat owners who choose to ignore neighbors who might not appreciate a trespassing pet hunting on their property, turning garden beds and children’s play areas into fetid litter boxes, or possibly spreading any one of a dozen diseases associated with cats recognized by the Centers for Disease Control, might at minimum think about the welfare of their own pets. Thankfully once again our local government placed humans and private property rights above trespassing pets, realizing that there is no proper justification for or any doubt that domestic cats have no right upon any property except that of their owners. Cats are a negative presence in any ecosystem and Edmonds Animal Control has corroborated that the original 2007 ordinance banning cats from ‘running at large’ was functional, effective and enforceable. There must be no compromising the consequences of the solely emotional, self-interested actions of irresponsible cat owners on the well-being of others and the destruction of our native species.

    As for blaming Ms. Buckinis or Ron Wambolt, this was a citizen driven ordinance and they voted, along with the majority of council members both in 2007 and 2012 to make it LAW that cat owners need to be responsible for making certain that their pets are not a nuisance. Instead of worrying about winning votes they examined all sides of the issue and made a decision that protected property rights and the citizens they serve, even if it was unpopular to some who don’t give a darn if their cats are out crapping in their neighbor’s veggie gardens or killing our diminishing wildlife. And while it might seem unimportant in a time of budgetary constraints, the potential for the transference of disease and the environmental stresses of cats loose in our backyards should be a concern to all.

    To those who believe cats should be allowed to trespass:

    1. “Toxoplasmosis in Cats.” Cornell University of Medicine. 8 Apr. 2008. 29 Apr. 2009
    https://www.vet.cornell.edu.

    2. “Parasites in Cats Killing Sea Otters.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. 21. Jan. 2003 NOAA.1 May 2009 https://www.magazine.noaa.gov/stories/mag72.htm.

    3. “Cat Detective: The New Age of Exploration” National Geographic. 8 Jan. 2013.

    4. “The Great Outdoors Is No Place For Cats.” American Bird Conservancy. http://www.abcbirds.org

    5. “The Impact of Free-Ranging Domestic Cats on Wildlife of the United States.” Nature Communications: Marra. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. January 25, 2010.

    6. “Chain of cat feces can harm humans, sea otters.” American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 19 Feb. 2012

    7. “Secret Lives of Cats Revealed in CritterCam Study.” University of Georgia and National Geographic. 2012

    8. “Diseases From Cats.” Centers for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/animals/cats.htm

    9. https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/culturing-science/2013/01/29/killer-cats/

    “There is a huge environmental price that we are paying every single day that we turn our backs on our native wildlife in favor of protecting non-native predatory cats at all cost while ignoring the inconvenient truth about the mortality they inflict,” Michael Hutchins, CEO of The Wildlife Society.

  14. Joan Bloom, you have my vote when you come up for re-election. The rest of you don’t. The time this issue has taken from far more important concerns before the council is ridiculous. I’m glad to see someone on the council has good sense. Keep up the good work Joan.

  15. No cats = more rats. And of course an exploding rat population is much more benificial to the community. politicians and rats…kind of the same animal right?

    1. If folks keep their trash picked up and their lawns and gardens tended to, rats will not be an issue. Rats live where there is trash. Plain and simple. Cats are not the answer, pride in ones home and living in a clean environment is.

      1. Ridiculous. There are rats everywhere in the Pacific Northwest. It’s one of the most conducive climates and habitats for rat propagation. I have a spotless yard with nowhere for rats to eat or live, but I don’t have control over my neighbors who leave their pet food (and pet droppings that rats eat) outside, people who have bird feeders and the dropped seed that rats feed on, English ivy that rats love to live in, etc.

        I have four traps in my yard and regularly kill 5-10 rats a week. Get some traps people and do your part.

  16. As tax increases are put on the ballot every year, and the City continuously cries poverty, the COunsel chooses to take up the cat issue again? Are these people stupid?!

  17. Thank you City Counsel. Also enjoyed comments (Jim Shelton). Yes, it all comes down to responsible pet ownership and respect for others. The Summer Market is another example of dog owners ignoring the “no dogs allowed” policy. When I gently reminded a dog owner with a large dog about the policy I was told to “mind my own business.” Why do people become irate when others have different opinions? Maybe we have become “self serving” in too many aspects of our daily lives.

  18. The 2007 Cat leash law was a failure because it was unenforceable with the limited funds available. Citizens were treated differently. 98% were unaffected while 94th AV W was given quite disparate attention. That is not right, The current Council has made a mistake. They have not given the cost necessary to implement the new law and consideration at all.

    Former Mayor Haakenson flatly stated there would be no increase in costs permitted. So the Police Dept had no choice but to respond only to complaints, which they did very effectively. They have done their part very professionally. Many citizens, therefore, were not even aware a cat leash law existed. Ms. McCallum had a field day policing and harassing the newly identified offenders in the 94th AV W neighborhood.

    In fact the whole cat issue had originally erupted after she and her husband, apparently with bait, lured and trapped our cat and several others illegally. Turbo’s tags were removed as and mysteriously disappeared. He was held for an extended period in a dark garage filthy floor in an inappropriate animal trap. He was thus tortured and injured pushing against the wire as he and the McCallums almost certainly had to hear my daughter calling him through the first night. When I later interviewed the animal control officer who appeared, she told me that she was told that the McCallums had ststed they had no idea who the cat belonged to, which was not true, so he was hauled across town where I found him several days later. He was traumatized, hungry, and filthy dirty, and no one knew anything about his tags. He recovered, but now is afflicted with cat diabetes, which may or may not be related to his torture. About one week after I recovered Turbo, Officer Dawson called me and returned Turbo’s tags without explanation. I certainly believed a thorough police investigation was in order.

    The Mayor and Police Chief refused to allow an investigation to occur although I presented the Chief with strong evidence of at least 2 state law gross misdemeanor violations. I went directly to the city prosecutor and she twice requested that the police investigate–it was not done. The Council did outlaw the outrageous practice trapping of pet animals.

    Ms. Dawson, the animal control officer, indicated on one police report that the cat trapping may have been a get even act because the McCallums, after several denials had been told by the city that they could not let their dog continue to roam free in the neighborhood. Hey, was not her dog spreading plague and much of all that bad stuff that she now preaches about? I guess Dawson’s theory is that the McCallums wanted to get even. What a waste!

    Ms McCallum very effectively organized a group of anti cat people who have now convinced two entirely different Councils to enact a cat leash law. Much of the group’s stuff is factual however there is plenty of mis-information included. For instance you may get the plague, cats don’t control rodents, the birds will all be killed, Puget sound will be polluted due to cat feces.etc., etc. etc. One woman once even complained about cats because her poop eating dog would dig up cat poop and then throw up on her new rug.

    Its now up to the City Council, especially Council person Diane Buckshnis, which has championed Ms Mc Callum’s anti cat efforts to ensure that the 2013 cat leash law is successful, To do this there must be even enforcement, with ALL citizens held to the same standards, and not just those in one small area on 94th AV W. Enforcemnt is now entirely uneven and unbalanced. If it remains unenforceable and under funded then it will certainly fail and some Council members, as Richard Marin and Ron Wambolt before them will be gone. Ms. Buckshnis has done a superb job of promoting dog parks, and other dog stuff, which is great. Now she and the others must lead and fund fair and equal treatment for ALL citizens without special favoritism for a very few cat haters! Where will she find the money? Hmmmm.
    Just maybe the whole rotten mess should be funded or forgotten!!!

    Finally Joan Bloom deserves strong special recognition for her courageous vote on the Council. Thank you Joan, you are appreciated!

    1. A petty argument turned into an absurd waste of time and money. Righteous indignation seldom makes good policy.

    2. Oh well thank you on letting me know who to sue for the damage now being done to our cars and home by the ever so increasing population of rats. We never had this problem at our home until this so called law went into effect. Since when do we the people of Edmonds let a handful of people make a law???? We are the people of Edmonds and we need to gather quickly to make sure this type of behavior never happens again or it is going to cost the tax payers of Edmonds a lot of money to control the Rats and Mice.

  19. I think squirrels and crows should definitely be added as well as cats. They are noisy, messy and destructive. Why not teenagers as well?

    1. Ok everyone — let’s get a grip – stop, count to 10 and move on! The Edmonds citizens must remain in a state of sanity for the good of all cats, dogs, squirrels, crows and last but not least the Edmonds city government! 🙂

    2. Cars…Ferry Boats… Trains… all noisy, messy, destructive! This whole roaming cat thing has me now worrier’ed about so much!

  20. Well, I promised myself wasn’t going to make any more comments on this topic because it seems to be much ado, but I have to address this “unenforceable” thing one more time. There is no city code that is “unenforceable.” The city staff, police, etc. choose not to actively pursue some things because of cost and/or manpower. One (of many) example is someone building a fence in a critical area without a permit. Sure, the staff has a “code enforcement” official, but he isn’t out looking for the many code violations around the city, he responds to complaints. Does that mean that requiring permits for certain fences should not be in city code because it is “unenforceable?” Of course not. I’m sure that animal control is not out following dog walkers around to ensure they pick up their waste. Of course, if they see it happen or get a complaint they have a law that they can use to cite the offensive individual. Without the code it would truly be unenforceable not just unenforced.

  21. Several people have made an excellent point that the Cat leash law is really only a very tiny issue affecting only a very few of us, albeit adversely and unfairly. And they are right. Only a few people will be treated unfairly due to the inability of our police to properly enforce it, which in turn is caused by the lack of appropriate funding. Funding for animal control was cut by 75% about the same time that the 2007 cat lease law began. That is wrong and needs to be corrected. Let the council know, I have. Ask the candidates also.

    But compared with the looming health care crisis, the national debt and the direction our country is heading the cat leash law is indeed small potatoes.

    I think we little people nevertheless should strive to improve our city government’s constitutionally driven law enforcement and do this primarily by holding our elected officials accountable; especially when they stray from acceptable performance.

  22. Please tell my 13 year old neutered cat, who by the way, poops in his own yard, that after his long life we have to incarcerate him indoors, which we tried to do when we moved here. We are considering buying a home here but the control freaks seem to be able to bully all the politicians around here… Cats, loud trains etc… Really ?..,maybe address some serious issues .

  23. This is an issue that clearly divides the citizens of Edmonds. We have two dogs who spend their days in the back yard. Most of our neighbors don’t even know we have dogs, which is a testament to how well behaved they are, and how we don’t want to cause any problems with the people around us. Others in our neighborhood don’t feel the same. Their cats and dogs both roam free, in and out of our front yard. Each time I go to mow my front lawn I’m always picking up someone else’s dog’s excrement. I’m not a fan of picking up my own dog’s, let another pet’s. I am a firm believer that if you own a pet…cat, dog, bird or whatever, it is your responsibility to keep it on your property. Also, you need to make sure that it isn’t a nuisance to your neighbors. While yes, cats are beneficial in keeping down the rat populations, there are other ways to deal with rats. Cats aren’t “incarcerated,” as some would like to say if they are kept inside. You can still provide your cat with toys and other things to occupy it’s time. If we didn’t have a fenced yard, we would have either built a fence or our dogs would only go outside with us, on a leash. I’m appalled by people who walk their dogs by our house, allowing their animals to stop and roam through our planted beds relieving themselves on everything they can get to. Even being outside working in those beds doesn’t deter people. I feel it comes down to common courtesy. While you may be a cat or a dog lover, not everyone is. And as a pet owner, it is your job to respect the people around you. Stop making excuses as to why you don’t want to be responsible for your pets, and realize that we live in the city limits and there are laws that as citizens we must abide by. If you would like to let your animals roam free, move to the country.

    1. It’s unfortunate that you have such irresponsible neighbors. Dogs shouldn’t roam free because they can and do bite people and they poop with abandon. I haven’t heard of too many cat attacks nor have I ever stepped in cat poop. Proper placement of birdfeeders can prevent cats from catching birds. We have two cats and multiple birdfeeders. The rodent to bird kill ratio is ten to one. Outdoor cats suddenly forced to stay inside 24/7 will find a way to get out. Rat poison kills birds, raccoons, dogs, cats and squirrels. Cruel traps can do the same thing. This whole issue is insignfigant and our law enforcement resources have better things to do with their limited time and budgets.

  24. Wow I guess in a city that has banned plastic bags for no good reason, has a recycling service that only accepts half of what other cities do, oh and we can’t even throw our food debris in our yard waste. Well I guess they have to have something to do other than address important issues that every other city has already deemed more important. Oh by the way, how do you cite a feral cat for crapping in your garden?

  25. Hello,

    educate ourselves on the relationship between “Rocky Varmits” and cats on the outside. I almost died twice because of that relationship.

  26. Well guess what Edmonds no cats outside guess what is populating and causing damage to homes and cars, I would like to know who to address my bill to for the damage! RATS!!!!!!!!!!! yes they are not being controlled by the cats anymore, this is why people have cats, this is what cats are good for. It will get worse everyone should be aware the rats are going to live in your engine compartment of your car and they will chew up the insulation, not only in your but your home as well.

    I think we better rethink the issue.

  27. So who voted this in non cat owners. Edmonds has always had cats outdoors, if you want to live in a neighborhood with out cats in your yard move into a Condo. What about the Rodents peeing in your yard these rodents will kill you!

    Bubonic plague is a zoonotic disease, circulating mainly in fleas[1] on small rodents and is one of three types of bacterial infections caused by Yersinia pestis (formerly known as Pasteurella pestis), which belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Without treatment, the bubonic plague kills about two thirds of infected humans within 4 days.

    I think another vote/ballot should be done by the people of Edmonds!

  28. This is silly. Surely you have better things to spend your time on than this. A new council starts up and this is what we get? I had such high hopes for you folks. I will remember and I vote.

      1. Does anyone know when the next vote about this is so we can get the law taken away? How does one go about getting it going?

  29. My cat, too, was trapped by the same people as Ray Martin’s, and I only found out a short time before he was to be euthanized. Happily, I found him, with Mr McCallum’s help – but it was a very close call. He lived to be 14, and was an indoor-outdoor cat all his life, including summers at my ranch, where he could roam all over. I can only imagine what it would have been like, had he lived, suddenly to have to keep him locked up.

    Frankly, I enjoy it when neighbor cats visit, and have never had the dreaded “poop problem” from them or mine. What a stupid, petty law. But there are ways: one neighbor keeps her cats on her property with an electric collar and buried wires.

    But I’ve sure had an up-tick in rat issues. Perhaps the city should require rats to be leashed?

  30. For all of you who think that all cats need to be strictly indoor, try telling that to all the cat owners who’s cats much prefer to be outdoors when the weather turns nice or those cat owners who are currently missing their cats. My cat has been missing since July 14th. She doesn’t wear a collar but is microchipped.

    She knows when summer arrives and she becomes a strictly outdoor cat. She doesn’t roam the neighborhood. She stays close to home – usually within view of our place. Up until the day she disappeared, she would be by the door three times a day for food/water/love and attention.

    I have never seen her bring home any rodents or birds. For the most part, the only thing she does in neighbors’ yards is nap.

    My boyfriend and I miss her so much. We are not giving up on her finding her way home.

    1. Melissa – I feel so bad for you reading your post, and hope your precious baby will find her way home – and soon!

      Me – I’m the luckiest person on Earth. My missing dog was returned to me several days later. I almost went out of my mind.

      This was many years ago. Words will never express my gratitude at the kindness and love for the couple who found her and gave her Cadillac care while she was away.

      Best wishes and hope your love is back soon!

  31. Thanks John. I’m glad your dog was returned to you.

    Chloe is 16. She came into my life when she was 6 months old. She’s now 16.

    Here’s the July 16th MEN article:
    https://myedmondsnews.com/2016/07/have-you-seen-chloe-missing-from-westgate-area/

    Followed by this one:
    https://myedmondsnews.com/2016/08/good-news-missing-for-nine-days-spooky-the-cat-returns-home/

    We keep putting fliers up.. but we have a few neighbors who really don’t like having them put on their mailbox stands and keep taking them down. I just wish they would just call me and I’ll gladly come remove them.

  32. Wow! Not sure I’ve ever seen so many post on one topic here before.

    Me – not a cat lover. NOT A CAT HATER – just not into cats. Of course, who do cats gravitate to? People who do not necessarily like cats. It is what it is.

    Would I ever trap one? No! And, those who have trapped, abused or ever worse to any animal – well 1) shame on you (deluxe shame, not just standard shame), and 2) it will be up to a higher power to judge.

    Over the years, my neighbor has had several cats. Some indoor, some outdoor and some both. Yes, my flower beds and yard has, occasionally been their litter box. Does this tick me off. Not in the least!

    Let’s look at the big picture. My neighbor is the most loving, caring and compassionate person you could ever meet. She is kind, considerate and looks after me and my home as if I was her son. In fact, when I was at a low point in life, she was there to pick me up. Kindness you truly never forget. What a true gift she is. I am grateful every day that fate brought us together, and can’t imagine life without her.

    She is a package deal, and comes complete with her children, cats, dogs, fish and a few other wild life creatures as well. For all the joy she has brought to my life, the upset a her cats using my yard as their litterbox is a slight rounding error. It can’t even be measured.

    Oh – and by the way – MY DOG BARKS! A LOT! So, who am I to throw stones.

    We have zero control over who our neighbors are. Count your blessings if your neighbor is even 1/10 of the one mine is. Be glad they are not crack dealers or even worse.

    Finally, my house and yard are free of rats, mice and other vermin. Gee – wonder why.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Real first and last names — as well as city of residence — are required for all commenters.
This is so we can verify your identity before approving your comment.

By commenting here you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. Please read our code at the bottom of this page before commenting.