Ill. Law will Ban "Loose Cats"

Please send to any IL contacts you might have. Thanks!

An incredibly dangerous bill, H.B. 2703, is being considered by the Illinois House of Representatives. The bill will require animal control officers to pick up and impound any cat found "at large" -even those whose owners have let them out for a short period.

Impounding cats means bringing them to the shelter, where their fates are grim. Not only would pet cats found outdoors be in danger, but so would every single stray and feral cat living in the state.

In addition to the "at large" provision, the bill targets many parts of Illinois law favorable to feral cats and their caregivers.

See the letter Alley Cat Allies sent to Illinois State Representatives.
Illinois residents only - Take action.

Click on title above to see sample letter;
http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Document.Doc?id=351

-----Original Message-----
From: Katie Walter [mailto:katie.walter@att.net]
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 11:13 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: ILLINOIS - Anti Cat Law Being Proposed
Importance: High

From: Joyce E. Maser-Ellis
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 11:03 AM
ILLINOIS - Anti Cat Law Being Proposed

.
Please help stop an IL. bill that is pending in the IL. House, that would cause many more cats to be impounded and killed in Illinios.

IF you go to: www.alleycat.org and click on the action center, you can send a pre-written email to oppose this bill. It will take one to two minutes. If you have time, customizing your letter would be great too.

Even if you don't live in IL, please consider sending a letter to the committee members to show your opposition.

Please forward this to everyone you know and put it on your facebook, twitter and websites.

Thank you.

Forwarded message from Alley Cat Allies -

Dear Animal loving friends,

The Illinois House of Representatives is considering a bill that could drastically increase the number of cats impounded and killed in animal pounds and shelters.

In 2008, those facilities killed 60,673 cats, according to data Alley Cat Allies obtained through the Freedom of Information Act; they returned only 2,991 cats to their owners. In spite of these horrendous statistics, H.B. 2703 would require
animal control officers to impound any cat found "at large."

Please contact your State Representatives to urge them to stop this dangerous bill.

H.B. 2703 was proposed by approximately 50 Illinois county animal control officers.
In addition to the "at large" provision, the bill targets many provisions of Illinois law favorable to feral cats and their caregivers. They have even hired a lobbyist to promote their agenda.

Please act immediately and # 151; write to your State Representatives now.

Sincerely,

Becky Robinson
President, Alley cat Allies

P.S. Go to: www.alleycat.org and click on action center to read the letter Alley Cat Allies sent to Illinois State Representatives opposing this bill.

P.P.S. Please pass this letter along to others who are concerned about cats being impounded and killed.