Unneutered outdoor cats reproduce uncontrollably. In many cases, the mostly unwanted kittens are abandoned or handed over to animal shelters, which are already overcrowded. The abandoned puppies continue to reproduce uncontrollably, resulting in an overpopulation of cats. Some of these cats live in miserable conditions, are often ill and may endanger the health of other (outdoor) cats.

No, the aim of the regulation is to curb uncontrolled reproduction. Outdoor cats must be identified and registered with the German Pet Register or Tasso so that they can be returned to their familiar environment if they are lost. It is also possible to inform the owner if the cat is found injured or has had an accident.

The administration will not carry out routine checks to monitor the castration, identification and
registration requirements. It goes without saying that the administration does not want the ordinance to interfere with the relationship of trust between cat owners and vets. However, as part of its basic task of carrying out animal welfare inspections of animal holdings, the administration will check in individual cases whether an outdoor cat has been neutered or not.
or not.

Of course, not only female cats, but also male cats must be neutered. Unneutered male cats living outside contribute to uncontrolled reproduction and the associated negative consequences.

The ordinance stipulates that exceptions to the provisions may be permitted in individual cases if the private interests of the cat owner clearly outweigh the public interests protected by the ordinance. This may include, for example, the cat owner's interest in breeding, provided that the control, care and placement of the kittens can be credibly demonstrated. However, health problems of the cat that are likely to cause major complications during an operation can also lead to an exemption being granted.

An exemption permit can be applied for at the Office for Citizen Services, here Ordnungsangelegenheiten (33-11).

Just as all pets can already be registered in the databases of private organizations (e.g. Tasso or the German Pet Register) independently of the provisions of this ordinance and free of charge to make it easier to find them if they are lost, the ordinance now requires registration in these databases. Your vet will be happy to provide you with information about the relevant organizations or will usually have application forms available in their practices.

Cats are neutered by veterinarians in private practice.

Neutering is a routine procedure that is carried out under anesthetic and is usually well tolerated by cats.

Before an operation, the cat is thoroughly examined by the vet. From a medical point of view, a decision is made as to whether neutering can be carried out or whether it is not advisable due to expected serious complications. In this case, the cat owner must submit an application for a special permit.

The scale of fees for veterinarians specifies a framework within which the costs for the services must fall. Please ask your veterinarian for the specific amount of the costs.

In order to increase the chance that a cat can be re-homed more quickly or at all if it is lost - regardless of the aim of this regulation - or at least to find out what has happened to it, all cats should be identified and registered. According to the ordinance, cat owners are obliged to have their already neutered cats identified and registered.

No, if a cat is legibly tattooed, it does not need to be microchipped. The regulation does not stipulate the type of identification.

Anyone who regularly feeds stray cats acquires ownership of these cats under current law and must therefore also ensure that the cats are neutered, identified and registered.

If you need help catching fed cats, it is best to contact the animal welfare organizations. They are there to help with advice.

Cats and tomcats that do not (or no longer) have a large free-range radius must also be neutered. They can also have contact with unneutered cats or tomcats outside.

Animal welfare organizations have already helped to catch feral cats, neuter them and return them to the feeding sites. It is advisable to contact the animal welfare organizations in this matter. As a general rule, cats should not be fed by strangers and tied to a particular place unless this is done with the aim of having the animals treated by a vet or neutered.

Reports of unneutered outdoor cats can be made to the Office for Citizen Services of the City of Bonn, here Ordnungsangelegenheiten (33-11).