CRANBURY: Cat law aims to prevent rabies

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CRANBURY: Cat law aims to prevent rabies

Thursday, January 29, 2009 12:38 PM EST
By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer

CRANBURY — The Cranbury Board of Health may mandate cat licensing for residents.

Despite state recommendations to establish feline licensing, Cranbury is one of two municipalities in Middlesex County that has yet to make it a requirement, board members said.

Still in the drafting phase of the plan, Board of Health members made a presentation to the public at Monday’s Township Committee meeting.

There are two reasons the board is considering the change, said Board of Health Vice Chairperson Cheryl Coyle.

The first is to ensure that domestic cats can be identified and returned to their owners if they are lost.
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”We’ve had to put them in shelters because we cannot find owners for them,” Ms. Coyle said of these felines.

The second reason is to stifle any possible rabies outbreak, in which cats play the largest role of all domesticated animals, she said.

”Rabies is here and present in Cranbury,” Ms. Coyle said. “Cats are known to have a significant role in the spread of rabies.”

Rabies, which only affects warm-blooded mammals, is spread through infected saliva, either from ingestion, contact with an open wound or eyes or as a result of a bite, said Daniel Notterman, chairman of the Board of Health.

Although symptoms differ between animals and humans, the signs can include irrational and aggressive behavior, foaming at the mouth, difficulty with swallowing or breathing, fatigue, paralysis and even death.

”Cats account for 90 percent of all rabies in domestic animals,” Dr. Notterman said. “That’s because of the very effective (rabies) vaccinations for dogs.”

Officials have recorded approximately 300 episodes of rabid domesticated cats statewide in the last eight years, he said.

Problems can arise when domesticated cats, who are less equipped with basic defensive skills, make their way outside and come in contact with an infected animal, for instance a groundhog, fox or bat, Dr. Notterman said.

”First of all, we want to protect the pets we love and I certainly want our children to be protected,” he said. “Children are at the greatest risk for animal bites.”

Dr. Notterman, who is also a pediatrician, said he worries about children because they have fewer inhibitions around animals who might exhibit signs of rabies.

An added concern is that because children are so much lower to the ground they are more likely to receive a bite on the face or on the upper chest, he said. The closer a bite occurs to the brain, the more rapidly rabies can progress through the body.

But not all residents were on board with the idea of mandated licensing.

Thirty-year cat owner and resident Bill Kanawyer said keeping collars on a cat can be extremely problematic, sometimes even hazardous to these venturing animals.
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From the BoH meeting minutes about this issue:

"Cat Licensing – Review of State Model

Dr. Notterman and Ms. Coyle gave a presentation before the Township Committee on January 26, 2009, on the importance of cat licensing. They approached the issue by stating: 23 of the 25 municipalities in Middlesex County have cat licensing requirements. The State strongly recommends cat licensing and has a model ordinance. Rabies was found in Cranbury in 2007 and 2008.

The primary reason to license is to provide proof of rabies vaccination

They also presented information on what happens if rabies is contracted. Comments were received from the public such as how to stop rabies in wild animals and how to define cats “domestic vs. feral”.

Dave Mauger, 26 Griggs Road, commended the Board for its presentation at the Township Committee meeting and questioned the effectiveness of passing an ordinance as opposed to a public awareness campaign for vaccinations.

Ms. Coyle responded that there are three groups of cat owners: 1) owners who vaccinate; 2) those who will vaccinate only with an ordinance; and 3) those who will never vaccinate. The middle group is the one that needs to be targeted.

Dr. Notterman acknowledged that education is better than regulation; however, it may work the first time, but a mechanism of recall is needed since the initial rabies vaccination is only valid for one year. Dr. Notterman also advised, from a medical perspective, it is important to have a record of vaccinations.

There is also currently a problem with proof of ownership and vaccination if a cat is picked up by the Animal Control Officer.

Mr. Van Hise advised that there is no way to know how many cats are in the Township and how many are vaccinated.

Mr. Mauger also suggested it may be good to have historical data from the 23 other municipalities in the County that have the licensing requirement. Dr. Notterman advised that the neighboring communities could be polled.

The Board reviewed the State’s model ordinance. Mr. Longo suggested adding that the Township does not approve of feral cat colonies. After much discussion, it was agreed that Mr. Van Hise would prepare a draft ordinance for review at the March meeting."