New Bill May be Used to Target Feral Cats

Introduced by Representative Ron Kind (D-Wisconsin), HR 767 is titled the Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act, or REPAIR Act. The purpose of the bill is "to protect, conserve, and restore native fish, wildlife, and their natural habitats at national wildlife refuges through cooperative, incentive-based grants to control, mitigate, and eradicate harmful nonnative species, and for other purposes."

Although the bill does not specifically mention cats (or any other animal), the broad wording of the act leaves for a "broad" interpretation. Ultimately, if the bill is passed it will allow the "control, mitigation, and eradication" of any animal demeaned a "harmful nonnative species." Allowing such interpretation and not providing clear definition could pose threatening to feral cats; especially, if someone makes the argument feral cats are a "harmful nonnative species" and a detriment to other native species.

On October 22 of this year, the H.R. 767 bill was passed by the House of Representatives and it is now being reviewed by the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Once reviewed by the Committee, the bill will go before the Senate. If passed, the REPAIR Act will allow for the mass killing of numerous species, including cats, all at the tax payer's expense.

To learn more about the bill and decide for yourself, please visit www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h767/show *

*ACR cannot verify the contents of the website www.opencongress.org and ACR does not necessarily agree with the opinions posted there.