Section 31752.5 Of Chapter 1. Regulation Of Cats Generally From California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 14.5. >> Chapter 1.
31752.5
. (a) The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(1) Domestic cats' temperaments range from completely docile
indoor pets to completely unsocialized outdoor cats that avoid all
contact with humans.
(2) "Feral cats" are cats with temperaments that are completely
unsocialized, although frightened or injured tame pet cats may appear
to be feral.
(3) Some people care for or own feral cats.
(4) Feral cats pose particular safety hazards for shelter
employees.
(5) It is cruel to keep feral cats caged for long periods of time;
however, it is not always easy to distinguish a feral cat from a
frightened tame cat.
(b) For the purposes of this section, a "feral cat" is defined as
a cat without owner identification of any kind whose usual and
consistent temperament is extreme fear and resistance to contact with
people. A feral cat is totally unsocialized to people.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 31752, if an apparently feral cat has
not been reclaimed by its owner or caretaker within the first three
days of the required holding period, shelter personnel qualified to
verify the temperament of the animal shall verify whether it is feral
or tame by using a standardized protocol. If the cat is determined
to be docile or a frightened or difficult tame cat, the cat shall be
held for the entire required holding period specified in Section
31752. If the cat is determined to be truly feral, the cat may be
euthanized or relinquished to a nonprofit, as defined in Section 501
(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, animal adoption organization
that agrees to the spaying or neutering of the cat if it has not
already been spayed or neutered. In addition to any required spay or
neuter deposit, the pound or shelter, at its discretion, may assess a
fee, not to exceed the standard adoption fee, for the animal
released.