Virginia Residents: Oppose the Cat Impoundment Bill, HB 1565

This action is ONLY for residents of Virginia.

UPDATE:

We did it, Virginia! Thanks to your advocacy, the Virginia Senate defeated the Cat Impoundment Bill, HB 1565. The Senate rejected the bill 29-8 in a floor vote on Thursday, February 19. This is a huge victory for cats across Virginia.

ORIGINAL:

The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill that would encourage the impoundment of any cat who is outdoors. This bill will soon move on to the Senate and I need you to let them know this bill is dangerous, and that Virginians don’t want it.

This bill is written specifically to target cats. It would authorize animal control officers to seize and impound cats whenever a property owner complains, regardless if the cat at issue is the source of the complaint. Both community cats and people's pets could be impounded, even if they wander for a short period of time.

We need alternatives to impoundment, not more cat impoundment. In 2013, tragically, over 42,000 cats lost their lives in Virginia pounds and shelters. This bill threatens to make that number worse.