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Worried Cat Lover
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 Posted: Wed, Sep 30 2009, 7:37 am EDT Post subject: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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There is a public hearing for the ordinance on fees for cat licensing on Oct. 5. It does not appear that the full ordinance has been posted on the Cranbury website.
TOWNSHIP OF CRANBURY
23-A NORTH MAIN STREET CRANBURY, NEW JERSEY 08512 BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING NOTICE
The October meeting will be held on Monday, October 5, 2009, at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Gourgaud Gallery.
October 5, 2009 AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT ROLL CALL MINUTES
September 14, 2009
SANITARIAN’S REPORT August 2009 HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT August 2009 OLD BUSINESS AED Equipment H1N1 Influenza Update
2010 Budget NEW BUSINESS Rabies Clinic – October 17, 2009
ORDINANCES Second Reading
CRANBURY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF HEALTH ORDINANCE #2009-02
PUBLIC COMMENT . AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE TOWNSHIP OF CRANBURY, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AMENDING SECTION 162-23 “FEES” OF CHAPTER 162 “ANIMALS’ OF THE CRANBURY TOWNSHIP CODE.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT COMES BEFORE THE BOARD ADJOURNMENT **Persons with disabilities requiring assistance, please contact Town Hall 24 hours in advance (609) 395-0900.
Kristen H. Hamilton, Secretary Board of Health |
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Guest
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| Posted: Wed, Sep 30 2009, 9:06 am EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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| Has the cat licensing ordinance passed? I heard that TC will have to make a decision. |
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wcody
Joined: Tue, Mar 18 2008, 9:49 am EDT
Posts: 126
Location: Cranbury, NJ
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| Posted: Wed, Sep 30 2009, 10:44 am EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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I checked into this.
The ordinance for cat licensing was passed by the Board of Health a couple of months ago. The BOH has the authority to pass health ordiances on their own, it does not need to go to the TC.
The ammendment being voted on next week is to make provisions for farms with a large amount of cats.
I asked that the details of this ammendment be posted on the Cranbury Township website.
Win |
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Guest
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| Posted: Wed, Sep 30 2009, 10:47 am EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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| Let's see them waste their time and money trying to enforce it. What a joke. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Wed, Sep 30 2009, 5:03 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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| Guest wrote: | | Let's see them waste their time and money trying to enforce it. What a joke. |
Why is it a joke? |
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Guest
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| Posted: Wed, Sep 30 2009, 5:32 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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| Guest wrote: | | Guest wrote: | | Let's see them waste their time and money trying to enforce it. What a joke. |
Why is it a joke? |
Are you serious?
This issue has already been discussed to death here. But in short most sane people recognize it is a crazy idea and a classic example of government over-extending itself. They never established a specific credible health risk in Cranbury -- not a single case. And the idea that people with indoor pets would have to pay a fee to register them is clearly intrusive and a naked grab at money for no civic benefit. Meanwhile there is a long list of more legitimate issues not getting done.
So, yeah, its a joke. Not to mention it is utterly unenforceable. What are they going to do – use the Patriot Act to search houses without probable cause or waste judges times getting warrants to search for indoor pets? |
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Guest
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| Posted: Wed, Sep 30 2009, 7:51 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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| Guest wrote: | | Guest wrote: | | Guest wrote: | | Let's see them waste their time and money trying to enforce it. What a joke. |
Why is it a joke? |
Are you serious?
This issue has already been discussed to death here. But in short most sane people recognize it is a crazy idea and a classic example of government over-extending itself. They never established a specific credible health risk in Cranbury -- not a single case. And the idea that people with indoor pets would have to pay a fee to register them is clearly intrusive and a naked grab at money for no civic benefit. Meanwhile there is a long list of more legitimate issues not getting done.
So, yeah, its a joke. Not to mention it is utterly unenforceable. What are they going to do – use the Patriot Act to search houses without probable cause or waste judges times getting warrants to search for indoor pets? |
I am serious.
Yes it's hard to enforce. Lots of cats are indoor cats. Many are indoor/outdoor cats, and they should get rabies vaccines. And there should be away to track them. Just my 2 cents. Hard to enforce yes. |
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Likes life without rabies
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| Posted: Wed, Sep 30 2009, 9:31 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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| The reason that licensing cats is required is to enforce the cats to be rabies vaccinated. Since cats carry rabies in this country incrementally more than dogs, why is this a bad idea, or a joke? |
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fear
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| Posted: Wed, Sep 30 2009, 9:47 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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Fear strategy works every time. The probability of my house cat carrying rabies is zero. BTW, my cat sleeps with me and my kids regularly. Am I afraid of getting sick from contacting my loving cat? No.
We should have an ordinance to require everyone in Cranbury to get H1N1 flu shot and get a swine flu vaccinated license to be in Cranbury! The probability of getting sick from contacting human is much higher than from contacting a cat. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Wed, Sep 30 2009, 11:27 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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| Likes life without rabies wrote: | | The reason that licensing cats is required is to enforce the cats to be rabies vaccinated. Since cats carry rabies in this country incrementally more than dogs, why is this a bad idea, or a joke? |
Yeah, but indoor only cats don't get rabies. And even in some hypothetical world where they were carriers, they aren’t a risk of transmission because they are online indoors. Some vets even recommend against over vaccinating such cats, including the rabies shot. So this ordinance is radically over reaching, trying to impose forced vaccinations against the recommendations of some vets to solve something that isn’t a problem (i.e. domesticated indoor only cats transmitting rabies).
I would like to see the stats that show cats are a greater risk as carriers. Does it specifically isolate domesticated cats – i.e. those with clear owners? There are more cats than dogs in this country and there are way, way more stray cats that have no owners that permanently reside outside and get no medical care. So of course there will be more cats that are carriers of rabies. But this ordinance does nothing to protect us from any of those stray cats – only the domesticated ones. So the stat is only relevant if it conclusively shows that fully domesticated pet cats are spreading rabies at a meaningful rate to the human population. I haven’t seen proof of that and that seems like a no brainer for them to have demonstrated before getting all big brother on us. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Thu, Oct 1 2009, 5:54 am EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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| Guest wrote: | Some vets even recommend against over vaccinating such cats, including the rabies shot. So this ordinance is radically over reaching, trying to impose forced vaccinations against the recommendations of some vets to solve something that isn’t a problem (i.e. domesticated indoor only cats transmitting rabies).
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That almost sounds like a CNN headline. They often start with "Some experts say..." when they don't want to back-up their argument. Below is information from the NJVMA.
From the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association
With the increased level of outdoor activities, the first step is to keep your pets' rabies vaccinations up-to-date. Pet vaccination is considered the most effective way to prevent human exposure to the rabies virus. Vaccination of cats is particularly important, since cats account for over 90% of the domestic animal rabies cases in New Jersey. Also be sure to license your dog every year. Many towns also have cat-licensing ordinances. Check with your municipal clerk to determine the requirements in your town.
Be sure that you and your pets avoid contact with stray pets and wild animals. Call your local animal control officer for assistance with stray, sick or aggressive animals. Remember, it is illegal to keep wild animals as pets. While incidents involving rabid animals are at their highest level during the summer months, the public should always be on-guard. Although rabid animals may act vicious and aggressive, they can also appear dazed and paralyzed. When affected by the rabies virus, animals display abnormal behavior. Nocturnal animals may become active during the day or they may display a loss of fear of humans and pets, depression, and difficulty walking. Although any mammal can be infected with rabies, raccoons, skunks, cats, foxes and groundhogs account for the majority of animal rabies cases in New Jersey.
If an animal bites you, immediately wash the wound with soap and water and contact a physician and the local health department to evaluate the need for rabies treatment. Rabies can be prevented by treatment administered promptly after the bite or exposure.
Homes, garages and other outbuildings should be “animal-proofed” to prevent access by raccoons, bats, and other wildlife. This can be done by capping chimneys, repairing routes of entry, and removing sources of food by securing garbage cans and not leaving pet food out in the yard. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Thu, Oct 1 2009, 10:27 am EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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"since cats account for over 90% of the domestic animal rabies cases in New Jersey. "
Don't blindly believe it.
Check out this document
"NEW JERSEY ANIMAL RABIES CASES BY COUNTY AND SPECIES,
January 1- March 31, 2009"
Middlesex county RABIES CASES:
Raccoon: 147
Skunk: 56
Fox: 2
Cat: 15
Groundhog: 9
http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/rabcases2009.pdf |
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Guest
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| Posted: Thu, Oct 1 2009, 10:33 am EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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| Guest wrote: | | Guest wrote: | Some vets even recommend against over vaccinating such cats, including the rabies shot. So this ordinance is radically over reaching, trying to impose forced vaccinations against the recommendations of some vets to solve something that isn’t a problem (i.e. domesticated indoor only cats transmitting rabies).
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That almost sounds like a CNN headline. They often start with "Some experts say..." when they don't want to back-up their argument. Below is information from the NJVMA.
From the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association
With the increased level of outdoor activities, the first step is to keep your pets' rabies vaccinations up-to-date. Pet vaccination is considered the most effective way to prevent human exposure to the rabies virus. Vaccination of cats is particularly important, since cats account for over 90% of the domestic animal rabies cases in New Jersey. Also be sure to license your dog every year. Many towns also have cat-licensing ordinances. Check with your municipal clerk to determine the requirements in your town.
Be sure that you and your pets avoid contact with stray pets and wild animals. Call your local animal control officer for assistance with stray, sick or aggressive animals. Remember, it is illegal to keep wild animals as pets. While incidents involving rabid animals are at their highest level during the summer months, the public should always be on-guard. Although rabid animals may act vicious and aggressive, they can also appear dazed and paralyzed. When affected by the rabies virus, animals display abnormal behavior. Nocturnal animals may become active during the day or they may display a loss of fear of humans and pets, depression, and difficulty walking. Although any mammal can be infected with rabies, raccoons, skunks, cats, foxes and groundhogs account for the majority of animal rabies cases in New Jersey.
If an animal bites you, immediately wash the wound with soap and water and contact a physician and the local health department to evaluate the need for rabies treatment. Rabies can be prevented by treatment administered promptly after the bite or exposure.
Homes, garages and other outbuildings should be “animal-proofed” to prevent access by raccoons, bats, and other wildlife. This can be done by capping chimneys, repairing routes of entry, and removing sources of food by securing garbage cans and not leaving pet food out in the yard. |
This seems to be applicable to outdoor pets. We go to Twin Rivers Vet Hosptial and they said it wasn't necessary for indoor only cats. Call yourself if you care. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Thu, Oct 1 2009, 10:35 am EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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Also, note that cats outnumber all domestic animals (e.g., dogs, rabbits, goats, sheep, etc).
If you compute ratio of "Cat RABIES CASES" and the number of domestic cats, the ratio is very low.
The official data: For the last 5 years there has been an average of 17 cases in cats per year.
You can always use numbers/statistics to "enhance" the misconception.
"Lies, damn lies, and statistics." |
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Guest
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| Posted: Thu, Oct 1 2009, 10:35 am EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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| Guest wrote: | "since cats account for over 90% of the domestic animal rabies cases in New Jersey. "
Don't blindly believe it.
Check out this document
"NEW JERSEY ANIMAL RABIES CASES BY COUNTY AND SPECIES,
January 1- March 31, 2009"
Middlesex county RABIES CASES:
Raccoon: 147
Skunk: 56
Fox: 2
Cat: 15
Groundhog: 9
http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/rabcases2009.pdf |
So why hasn't the Township issued an ordinance to register all local Racoons and Skunks since they are a much bigger problem? And I bet most of those 15 cats were strays and not house pets, so they wouldn't even be covered by the regsitration process.
Seriously, you have to wonder about the people who passed this. It doesn't stand up to any logic. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Thu, Oct 1 2009, 10:52 am EDT Post subject: Re: Board of Health Meeting - Cat Licensing Fees |
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| Guest wrote: | | Guest wrote: | "since cats account for over 90% of the domestic animal rabies cases in New Jersey. "
Don't blindly believe it.
Check out this document
"NEW JERSEY ANIMAL RABIES CASES BY COUNTY AND SPECIES,
January 1- March 31, 2009"
Middlesex county RABIES CASES:
Raccoon: 147
Skunk: 56
Fox: 2
Cat: 15
Groundhog: 9
http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/rabcases2009.pdf |
So why hasn't the Township issued an ordinance to register all local Racoons and Skunks since they are a much bigger problem? And I bet most of those 15 cats were strays and not house pets, so they wouldn't even be covered by the regsitration process.
Seriously, you have to wonder about the people who passed this. It doesn't stand up to any logic. |
There is no logic in any of this cat licensing. Let them pass it, who cares?? To much time is wasted on this. I have a cat and will NOT get it licenced. My cat is an inside cat and I dont think the township can come into my house to find out if I have a cat or not. Honestly, if you have a cat, are you really going to license it? It's rather comical to even be having this discussion! |
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