Cat License Proposal

Mayor Richard Riordan’s proposal to license cats does not address the crisis of pet overpopulation (“Make Cats Wear License Tags? Just Try It,” April 25). Although dogs have been licensed for years, their death rate has increased every year. In 1996, it cost the Department Animal Regulation more than $3.5 million, or half of its budget, to handle and destroy 46,436 dogs and cats.

By cutting Animal Regulation’s budget request to fund an educational program on the necessity of spaying and neutering, the mayor and his advisors have illustrated little concern or awareness of this overwhelming tragedy.

BILL DYER

Venice

*

After I finished college I adopted a feisty orange tabby from the Humane Society shelter where I worked. As part of my job I euthanized adorable puppies and kittens daily and I just couldn’t bring myself to do it to the little guy. I had him neutered (as all good pet owners should) and brought him home.

Prozac was an indoor cat (as all pet cats should be) but he wore three tags at all times: one from the shelter, one with my name and phone number on it and one from the city. He never complained and I think he even got used to the tink-a-link the tags made whenever he moved.

Prozac escaped the house once and my neighbors a block over were able to get him back to me because of his tags. Unfortunately, the next time Prozac escaped, he was hit by a car and killed. The good Samaritan who tried to save him notified me of my loss because of the tags.

My current cat, Scott, also has tags and they don’t seem to bother him. I like hearing the jangle in the middle of the night and I enjoy the comfort of knowing that, if he ever escapes, I will get him back without difficulty.

RUTH GURWITCH

Los Angeles

*

We read the article on licensing cats to Paul, our resident feline. He opened one amber eye. I persisted, explained what it meant. He raised a hind leg and began cleaning between his toes, spitting bits of litter at me as I spoke. At last, he lowered himself to communicate this message to us:

“The mayor knows nothing whatever about cats. We are not only free spirits, we are intellectuals with curious, creative minds. To expect us to wear dippy collars around our necks with ugly pieces of metal dangling from them demeans us, limits us, categorizes us as chattel. It is unthinkable! For, dogs, it’s OK. Now you must excuse me. I have better things to do.”

He closed his eyes and went back to cleaning between his toes.

MARTHA WILLETT

Bakersfield

*

I see that the mayor is proposing to impose a license fee for cats. That’s purrfectly fine with me if I can get my cat to paws for a while so that I can put the tag around his neck. Will an unlicensed cat be permitted to catch all the unlicensed mice in my backyard?

ARTHUR A. LEWIS

Los Angeles