wtom
01-31-2007, 04:17 PM
This is so farking retarded. I'm glad I don't live in the T-dot!
Why Your Cat Needs A City License
Tuesday January 30, 2007
You know about dog licenses.
But did you know the city also has one for your cat?
As of January 1st, those who keep felines in their homes are supposed to pay for the privilege.
The fact the city is finding yet another way to raise cash doesn't surprise anyone.
But the rationale that people who never let their pets out of the house actually need a license is striking some as more of a cash grab than a safety issue. In fact, the city has no idea how many cats there actually are in Toronto.
How much does all this cost owners? Fifty dollars if your cat isn't sterilized, $25 if it is.
Animal Services Committee Chair Paula Fletcher argues it will help owners get their pets back if it ever gets lost. "This campaign to say, license your pet, it brings your pets home."
City Hall is now planning to bare its claws on the issue, and get tough with those who don't cough up the cash.
Councillors are currently talking about having inspectors actually go door-to-door to check every single cat owner and ding them with a fine if their animal isn't licensed.
That can add up to money in the kitty - between $240 and $5,000 for an offence.
Critics aren't impressed.
"Are they gonna tax gerbils? Are they going to tax your goldfish? What else are they gonna tax?" wonders Councillor Rob Ford. "It's not going to end."
But Fletcher argues it's a necessity and will help control the stray cat population in Toronto.
"The tools are already in place," she argues. "We have animal bylaws, we have the Humane Society, if there are stray cats, you call these people, they pick 'em up, just like they do with dogs."
Animal licensing brought more than a million dollars into city coffers last year alone, mostly from dogs.
Now, forcing licenses on all cats has some owners scratching for answers.
"I think it's stupid because there's so many cats already out there, and its so hard for people to adopt them," worries Stephanie Dacosta.
The city says a large number of residents have gotten the message. Some 10,000 have already ponyed up the money for the license.
They expect you to follow suit. To find out how to apply for yours online, click here (https://secure.toronto.ca/ePET/main.do).
[I]Source: http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7356.aspx
Why Your Cat Needs A City License
Tuesday January 30, 2007
You know about dog licenses.
But did you know the city also has one for your cat?
As of January 1st, those who keep felines in their homes are supposed to pay for the privilege.
The fact the city is finding yet another way to raise cash doesn't surprise anyone.
But the rationale that people who never let their pets out of the house actually need a license is striking some as more of a cash grab than a safety issue. In fact, the city has no idea how many cats there actually are in Toronto.
How much does all this cost owners? Fifty dollars if your cat isn't sterilized, $25 if it is.
Animal Services Committee Chair Paula Fletcher argues it will help owners get their pets back if it ever gets lost. "This campaign to say, license your pet, it brings your pets home."
City Hall is now planning to bare its claws on the issue, and get tough with those who don't cough up the cash.
Councillors are currently talking about having inspectors actually go door-to-door to check every single cat owner and ding them with a fine if their animal isn't licensed.
That can add up to money in the kitty - between $240 and $5,000 for an offence.
Critics aren't impressed.
"Are they gonna tax gerbils? Are they going to tax your goldfish? What else are they gonna tax?" wonders Councillor Rob Ford. "It's not going to end."
But Fletcher argues it's a necessity and will help control the stray cat population in Toronto.
"The tools are already in place," she argues. "We have animal bylaws, we have the Humane Society, if there are stray cats, you call these people, they pick 'em up, just like they do with dogs."
Animal licensing brought more than a million dollars into city coffers last year alone, mostly from dogs.
Now, forcing licenses on all cats has some owners scratching for answers.
"I think it's stupid because there's so many cats already out there, and its so hard for people to adopt them," worries Stephanie Dacosta.
The city says a large number of residents have gotten the message. Some 10,000 have already ponyed up the money for the license.
They expect you to follow suit. To find out how to apply for yours online, click here (https://secure.toronto.ca/ePET/main.do).
[I]Source: http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7356.aspx