It is typical for cats to go on adventures when the weather warms, however some cats aren’t returning home. The area of 43rd-45th avenue, around HE Bourgoin School, Dr. Brosseau and Beau Vista Blvd, down to Ecole de Belle Lac, has had a high number of cats go missing.
Heather Mutch, with the SPCA in Bonnyville, says there are town bylaws in place, “there’s a dog bylaw and there is a cat bylaw, and it does state, pretty much the same as the dog bylaw, that if your cat is out roaming and picked up there will be a fine.” However, there hasn’t been cats being picked up by the bylaw officers or citizens finding the animals and bringing them to the SPCA. There has been a lower than average intake of stray cats. To add to that, even though it is kitten season, there has been a low intake of kittens at the SPCA, even when factoring in online giveaway and sale sites, such as Infomall. Further, there hasn’t been cats or kitten being reported found on MD farms or as road kill.
If your cat enjoys the outdoors, Mutch  has some advise to keep the pet safe, “if you want to allow your cat to be an outdoor and indoor cat, get a spike and a lease and tie the cat on an outside lead.”  Mutch explains this is the best of both worlds, “that was they are still getting the fresh air within your yard,” where it is presumably safe.  Mutch says cats will adapt to being on a leash, “you always use a harness on a cat, never a collar, the harness is safer.” Mutch suggests if you have a clothesline to tie the lead to it and allow the cat more room to roam.
Mutch says if you find a stray cat, or trap one, to always bring it into the SPCA. It is not advised to dump the cats out of town at a farm. You should not keep the animal as a pet, without checking in with the SPCA to report the animal found. The SPCA says to try to discover the proper owner and do not kill the animal.
