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Feral Cat Colonies in Florida: The Fur and Feathers are Flying |
An enormous and growing population of free-roaming cats exists in Florida, posing a threat to the state's native animal species, and creating a serious public health concern. Proponents of trap-neuter-release (TNR) and maintenance of cat colonies have been pressing local governments to enact ordinances to permit establishment and registration of cat colonies in local jurisdictions. But TNR and managing large numbers of cats in colonies does not effectively control cat overpopulation. Additionally, federal and state wildlife laws designed to protect endangered and threatened species conflict with the practice of releasing non-indigenous predators into the wild. An intense public education campaign, together with licensing incentives, animal control laws that enforce high penalties against violators, and other methods of reducing the flow of non-indigenous species into the wild, are essential components to a long-term solution to pet over-population in general, and particularly to cat over-population and the resulting predation on wildlife.
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FL - Endangered - Endangered and Threatened Species Act |
These Florida statutes define endangered and threatened species and provide the State's intent to protect these species. Under statute, the intentional killing or wounding of a listed species incurs a third degree felony. Interestingly, the state has a reward program for the arrest and conviction of those who violate state endangered species laws. |
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FL - Exhibition - Deformed Animals - Chapter 877. Miscellaneous Crimes. |
This law makes it illegal to exhibit any deformed, mutilated or disfigured animal for compensation. |
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FL - Exotic Pets - 68-5.008. Amnesty for Persons Relinquishing Non-native Pets. |
This rule provides amnesty to non-native pet owners who voluntarily relinquish their illegal animals to state or county wildlife agencies or during Commission-sponsored amnesty events. |
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FL - Exotic Pets - Chapter 68A-6. Wildlife as Personal Pets |
Under these Florida administrative provisions, three separate classes of captive wildlife were created. Class I, the most regulated class, includes large primates, big cats, bears, elephants, and large reptiles among others. The regulations state that Class I wildlife shall not be possessed for personal use (unless obtained before August 1, 1980 and permitted). The permit requirements to keep listed wildlife in captivity are outlined in Sec. 68A-6.0022. |
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FL - Exotic Pets - Fish and Wildlife Code: Possession, Maintenance, and Use of Captive Wild and Exotic Animals |
This chapter of the Florida Administrative Code contain the rules of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relating to the possession of wildlife in captivity and includes permit requirements for the possession of listed animals and sets minimum standards for the maintenance and transportation of the same. |
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FL - Hunting - 379.302. Private game preserves and farms; regulations; penalties |
This Florida statute provides that any person owning land in this state may establish, maintain, and operate within the boundaries thereof, a private preserve and farm, not exceeding an area of 640 acres, for the protection, preservation, propagation, rearing, and production of game birds and animals for private and commercial purposes. All private game preserves or farms established under the provisions of this section shall be fenced in such manner that domestic game thereon may not escape and wild game on surrounding lands may not enter. Violation of this section results in a misdemeanor and forfeiture of the violator's license to operate for one year. |
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FL - Importation - Chapter 5C-30. Enforcement and Penalties |
This set of statutes establishes the procedures for the inspection and quarantine of imported animals and sets penalties for violations of the state's animal import laws. |
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FL - Miami-Dade County - Chapter 5 - ANIMALS AND FOWL. |
This comprises Miami-Dade County, Florida's animal-related ordinances. Among the ordinances of note include a voluntary registration program for cats, minimum standards of care for kennels and pet dealers, and requirements for the humane trapping of dogs and cats. Most importantly, the county has a controversial breed specific ban on pit bull dogs that has been in place since 1990. Veterinary offices, kennels, commercial breeders, commercial animal establishments, pet shops, and dog grooming businesses are required to post conspicuous signs that inform residents of the ban.
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FL - Rehabilitation, wildlife - 68A-9.006. Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit. |
This Florida regulation sets forth the requirements to obtain a permit for wildlife rehabilitation. |
