Question
I live in a rural town, so there are a lot of animals around. I own 9 outside cats (mommas are fixed, the 7 kittens will follow). They hang out at my boss’s restaurant deck all the time, which is not fenced and open to the public, because it’s shady and has trees to climb (we have 40 degrees sometimes). They don’t do any harm. Now she threatened me to give them away or trap them and get rid of them. Is that allowed?
Answer
Cruelty to animals and animal abandonment are against the law. People who suspect that an animal was abandoned or otherwise subjected to cruelty should contact the police, sheriff, animal control, local humane societies and society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA). Security camera footage may be helpful along with other evidence.
You have been put on notice that the restaurant’s owner does not want your cats on her restaurant’s deck. While it is unfortunate that not everyone appreciates cats, it sounds as if this situation cannot go on safely for the cats. If these are feral cats, consider trying to educate the restaurant’s owner about the benefits of trap/neuter/return (TNR), which helps to reduce the overpopulation of cats. Your local humane societies, rescue groups, and SPCA may help. If these are your cats, consider that they would be much safer indoors.
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