Sechelt council will explore a new cat bylaw in response to requests from the public.
Mayor Bruce Milne asked for a staff report on a possible bylaw restricting free-roaming felines during the Nov. 2 regular council meeting, after receiving a letter from “Jackie Z” asking for some action.
“I believe it is common knowledge by now what impact free-roaming cats have on the environment,” Jackie Z wrote, adding she “would hope that Sechelt is ready to make some moves forward into getting a bylaw of this sort looked at.”
Milne said it was “yet another plea” from the public asking Sechelt council to put some rules and regulations around domestic cats in Sechelt.
“I know we’ve seen this come forward for 20 years and I know it’s difficult,” Milne told council.
“I know there are some outstanding exceptions granted by kings and queens in England hundreds of years ago, but it’s a real problem.”
He said the last time a request came forward to council to explore a cat bylaw (earlier this year at a meeting Milne was absent from), he felt “it was not dealt with professionally,” as it was dismissed.
“[Cats are] environmentally destructive to the tune of killing multiple millions of song birds throughout North America and stats on cats and destruction of the environment are pretty devastating,” Milne said.
“Anyone who gardens – I’m sure this person is writing because she’s a gardener – knows that roaming cats in neighbourhoods is a real neighbourhood nuisance.”
Milne asked council to support his motion to “refer this to staff and to bylaw for advice of the corporate officer, at least on answering the questions of why cats are not dealt with in the manner that all other farm animals, domestic animals, pets and so on are.”
All of council was in favour and the motion passed.
A report on a possible cat bylaw will come to a future council meeting for discussion.
