As used in this article, the following words shall have the
meaning indicated, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
CARETAKER
A person or organization which provides food, water, shelter
or other forms of sustenance or care to a feral cat colony
FERAL CAT COLONY
A group of feral cats living in one territory and/or in close
proximity, often near food sources and shelter.
STRAY CAT
Any cat whose owner or keeper allows said cat to run free
outside of the residence of the owner or keeper from time to time.
The Township finds that stray cats, feral cats and feral cat
colonies have an adverse effect on the health, protection, safety,
and welfare of the Township and its residents and businesses, in that
such stray cats, feral cats and feral cat colonies create unwanted
noise, commit trespass upon private and public lands, are responsible
for the deaths of native songbirds and other animals, exist in unsanitary
conditions that contribute to the spread of disease, and increase
the production of fleas, lice, ticks and other similar disease-carrying
insects. The Township further finds that a properly managed feral
cat colony may be a humane means to reduce populations over a period
of time if and when management guidelines are propounded and strictly
adhered to.
It shall be unlawful for any owner or keeper of any cat to permit
such cat to run free outside of the residence of its owner or keeper
unless said cat has been:
A. Neutered or spayed to prevent it from procreating;
B. Immunized against rabies; and
C. Identified as the property of its owner or keeper by means of a collar
and tag and/or by means of a microchip implanted on the cat.
Any person, organization, firm or corporation which shall violate
any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof in an
action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided
for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules
of Criminal Procedure, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than
$100 and not more than $500, plus costs, and, in default of payment
of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90
days. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day or
part of each day during which a violation occurs or continues. Each
day that a violation of this article continues or each section of
this article which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute
a separate offense.