Council cans proposal concerning keeping cats

OGDEN -- Feral cats can purr a little easier because of a city administration decision to abandon a proposal making it illegal to provide food and shelter to seven or more strays.Mara Brown, an assistant city attorney, informed the city council during a Tuesday night work session that it won't be asked to amend the municipality's animal-control ordinance to include a provision making it a misdemeanor to create an involuntary cattery.Instead, animal-control officers will continue to enforce laws already on the books regarding cats, Brown said.The city's animal-control ordinance allows residents to legally own up to six cats and includes a provision enabling owners to be cited for nuisance violations, such as excessive odor problems associated with their pets, Brown said.Earlier this month, the city council approved several changes to the ordinance, including a provision that allows a police or animal-control officer to enter a vehicle to protect the health and safety of a distressed animal.The council tabled a proposed amendment making it illegal to create an involuntary cattery without a license by giving food or shelter to seven or more cats that are at least 6 months old.Some city council members have indicated they are opposed to ticketing people for being compassionate to stray cats.The city council has also received a large number of e-mails from feline-lovers opposed to the cattery provision, which played a role in the decision to drop the amendment, Brown said.Residents who have problems with stray cats on their property can rent a trap from the city for a $50 deposit and a fee of $5 per week.Strays can also be brought to the Carol Conroy Browning-Ogden Animal Shelter, 1490 Park Blvd., for adoption.