The section of the bylaw which raises the hairs of so-called “free-roam cats” like Nibbles includes not allowing cats on private property without the owner’s permission and impounding animals who are “at large”, a term Nibbles said is degrading, insulting, and de-catanizing.
He added it violates his universal kitty rights to freedom to roam, groom, and hunt literally any animal he can get his paws on.
“Meow meow meow, hissssssssss! Roaming is my right! As a feline, I can patrol any area I see fit. You want your city overrun with rats, mice, and pretty songbirds? It’s my right to capture my nightly quota of a quarter ration of rats per night. This is my livelihood we’re talking about here!”
Other areas of the bylaw which really burn his whiskers is the section on registering your cat and not leaving food out for strays, or as Nibbles calls them, “the boys”.
He calls the required sterilization (spaying or neutering) of all City-owned cats equal to “cruelty”, “torture”, and “denying the natural order of things.”
Nanaimo’s animal control bylaw was in September 2021 and outlines fines for pet owners who allow their animals to roam freely on private property without permission.
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