The city of Frankfurt am Main issued a new cat protection ordinance on October 1, which prohibits the uncontrolled outdoor access of cats capable of reproduction. The aim of this ordinance is to curb the increasing population of stray cats, which is becoming a growing problem in urban areas. This measure is intended to make a significant contribution to animal welfare and effectively control the proliferation of free-roaming cats.
According to the new regulation, cat owners in the city of Frankfurt may only allow cats that have been neutered, tattooed or microchipped to roam free. Cats must be registered in a corresponding database. Kittens under five months of age are exempt from the regulation. The ordinance is based on the provisions of §13b of the Animal Protection Act and the Hessian Delegation Ordinance, which gives local authorities the authority to take protective measures for free-roaming and domestic cats.
The Veterinary Department of the Public Order Office is responsible for ensuring compliance with the ordinance. If an un-neutered and unmarked cat is found whose owner cannot be identified within 48 hours, the Public Order Office may arrange for the cat to be neutered at the owner's expense. In the event of violations, cat owners will be asked to have their animal neutered, identified and registered.
Safety Officer Annette Rinn emphasizes the importance of the cat protection ordinance: "With this ordinance, the city of Frankfurt is actively helping to curb the uncontrolled cat population. This not only protects the animals themselves, but also the local fauna, which is threatened by feral cats. In future, outdoor cats will be better monitored to ensure both animal welfare and species protection."
With the cat protection ordinance, Frankfurt is sending out a clear signal on animal welfare and is tackling the growing problem of stray cats with strict regulations.
