Feral Cats in Memorial Thicket
- admin
- Jun 19
- 3 min read
Feral Cats in Our Neighborhood
Memorial Thicket℠ Neighbors certainly have big hearts for our four-legged friends! Having said that, we have seen the feral cat population continue to rise in our neighborhood. What in the past few years were just a few cats has now increased to double digits. I have heard from many neighbors on this topic. Some have family members that are highly allergic to cats and wandering cats in a backyard can compromise those family members' health. We have had instances when the temperatures are cooler of cats getting into garages and basically causing havoc bringing down items on the walls, which have fallen on cars. As well, these cats are defecating in the garages and causing a mess. Feral cats are also known for killing birds, which has an impact on the entire eco-system.While we all have big hearts, feeding these cats is only going to continue to make the situation more challenging and the feral cat population will continue to grow. The City of Houston Ordinances on this matter are set out below.I would ask those that are feeding feral cats not do so. It's very easy to determine who these residents are. You will see six or seven of these cats lined up on a driveway and bingo, that is a feral cat feeding station! Please consider the havoc that these feral cat colonies are causing in our neighborhood.According to Houston Pet Talk (May 2025), "Feral cats are wild cats that are unfamiliar with humans and roam freely in urban or rural areas. The numbers of feral cats are not known, but estimates of the U.S. feral population range from 25 to 60 million. Feral cats may live alone, but most are found in groups called feral colonies, which occupy a specific territory and are usually associated with a source of food."
Picking Up After Your Dogs
Please do the right thing and pick up after your dog. Whether it's in the subdivision, or on the greenbelt, picking up after your pet is a must. We have a neighbor that mows the greenbelt and he has reminded me that not everyone looks after their dog. Let's try and be fair and respectful to all that live here.
City Ordinances
Sec. 6-23. - Congregations of unconfined and stray cats and dogs.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to intentionally cause, suffer or permit the maintenance of an attractive environment for the assembly of a congregation of unconfined and stray cats or dogs by the placement of dog food or cat food. For purposes of this section a "congregation of unconfined stray cats or dogs" means any three or more dogs or cats that:
(1) May, of their own volition, enter or leave the property on which the food is placed; and
(2) Are not part of a community cat or trap, neuter, and return program.
(b) For purposes of this section, "cat food" or "dog food" means any commercially prepared cat or dog food or any other food item or product that is subject to consumption by dogs or cats.
(c) It is an affirmative defense that the dogs or cats were free-roaming and that the person placed the food solely for the purpose of apprehending the dogs and cats and:
(1) Delivering them to the BARC animal shelter;
(2) Delivering them to a humane organization;
(3) Delivering them to a licensed veterinarian for sterilization as part of a community cat or trap, neuter and return program; or
(4) Assuming ownership and obtaining a rabies vaccination and a current registration issued by the city for such animals.
(Ord. No. 2022-44, § 2(Exh. A), 1-19-2022)
Sec. 6-25. - Assuming responsibility for domestic animals.
Except as provided in the affirmative defenses as set forth in section 6-23 of this Code, any person who has encouraged the presence of any domestic animal on his property, residence, or premises by providing food and water or other care, or has otherwise accepted caretaker responsibility for the animal for longer than three consecutive days, and who is not part of a community cat program approved by the director, shall be considered to be the owner of the animal.(Ord. No. 2022-44, § 2(Exh. A), 1-19-2022)
