CATS ARE DOING A PUBLIC SERVICE

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 23, 1993                   TAG: 9302230347
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
CATS ARE DOING A PUBLIC SERVICE
I AM VERY much concerned and opposed to the cat-leash and license-fee laws proposed by some members of the General Assembly.
One reason is because cats cannot be leashed or fenced like a dog can. They climb trees, fences and walls, and can escape easier than a dog. Unless the cat is a house cat, this would pose quite a problem to people who keep their cats outside. Not everyone can have an animal inside because of allergies, etc. I simply wouldn't have one inside because they jump on tables, cabinets, refrigerators and other things. I love them, but outdoors.
If the leash law goes into effect, I would have to get rid of mine. Cats are used to being free, and it would drive them crazy to be leashed. They would wind up hanging themselves.
If the license fee is imposed, I think most people would refuse to have a cat. But this is what the legislation is all about, isn't it? The demise of the cat. I believe that is what several legislators said their bills were all about.
Our legislators had better rethink this. As ugly as it is when we see a cat killing a mouse, bird, rabbit, squirrel or even a snake, this is their nature, and they can't help it. Let's face it - they're doing us a service. JOYCE N. RATCLIFFE CHRISTIANSBURG

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB