[hotpotato]

I'm hoping to hear from Villages residents who have experience with Sumter County's rules on feeding feral TNVR cats.

I put food outside for one ear-tipped, free-roaming TNVR cat. I'm trying to understand the county's rules before deciding if I should keep feeding the cat.

I found that Sumter County has a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) program, but doesnt define the rules for liability for someone feeding these cats.

Has anyone actually asked Sumter County Animal Services about feeding an ear-tipped cat on their own property? If so, did you receive a clear answer about whether feeding the cat makes you legally responsible for it?

I'm particularly interested in firsthand experiences with county staff, written answers, or actual enforcement cases.

Also, does anybody have any practical information on this subject? It seems odd that all of these TNR cats are on the loose but no guidelines for what happens if you feed one.

Any advise will be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Bogie Shooter]

For a start…..
Feral Cat Laws in Florida: What Caretakers and Residents Need to Know

Or call here….
Animal Services | Sumter County, FL - Official Website

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by hotpotato

I'm hoping to hear from Villages residents who have experience with Sumter County's rules on feeding feral TNVR cats.

I put food outside for one ear-tipped, free-roaming TNVR cat. I'm trying to understand the county's rules before deciding if I should keep feeding the cat.

I found that Sumter County has a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) program, but doesnt define the rules for liability for someone feeding these cats.

Has anyone actually asked Sumter County Animal Services about feeding an ear-tipped cat on their own property? If so, did you receive a clear answer about whether feeding the cat makes you legally responsible for it?

I'm particularly interested in firsthand experiences with county staff, written answers, or actual enforcement cases.

Also, does anybody have any practical information on this subject? It seems odd that all of these TNR cats are on the loose but no guidelines for what happens if you feed one.

Any advise will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Are you in a city in Sumter County? There might be city ordinances involved.

[fdpaq0580]

My only thoughts on feeding feral "house" cats is that,
1 . They are a human introduced species .
2. They are efficient preditors with a potential to negativly impact native species.
3. Feeding them may reduce their reliance on native species for food.
4. Local wildlife may come to rely on the food meantfor these cats, and could start competing for it.

In the short view it seems like kindness. Long term ... ?
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Hey as long as you take the responsibility - put the food out, wait for THAT cat to come and eat, take the bowl away when he's done eating. Guarantee by your own actions, that no other animal will eat the food.

If you're not willing to do that, then you are being irresponsible. No one wants bobcats, a fox den, coyotes, vultures, bears, wild hogs, etc. all starting to hang out near their yards, just because one neighbor decided to leave food out for a specific cat all night.

[MrFlorida]

Putting food out will also draw palm rats, be careful.