Proposed Oregon Legislative Bill
About
Support The “Save Oregon Birds” Bill
The “Save Oregon Birds” Bill is dedicated to advancing the protection and welfare of the bird population in Oregon. Our primary goal is to introduce comprehensive legislation that protects our environment and Oregon’s native bird population. By advocating for ethical treatment and promoting responsible pet ownership, we aim to create a better world for both animals and humans.
The majority of birds that are killed by cats are killed by feral cats. Reducing the feral cat population is key to protecting our wildlife. Currently, there are no mandatory spay and neuter laws in Oregon. This means that owners can let their cats roam free, potentially creating new feral cats. This bill would require owners who let their cats have access to the outdoors spay and neuter their cats.
Photo By: David J
Did You Know?
Cats kill an estimated 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion small mammals each year in the U.S.
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Oregon is home to almost 500 species of birds.
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Bird populations are declining across the PNW.
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Cats are the largest source of human-caused mortality for birds.
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Cats kill birds in proportion to how much time they spend outdoors. Feeding cats has no effect on a cat’s predation rate.
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70% of the killing is done by the roughly 40% of cats that are feral.
An unaltered cat can add almost 1.4 million cats to the population over a 10-year period
The main cause of feline overpopulation is from owners failing to spay or neuter their cats
This Is The New Silent Spring
Photo By: Charles Gates
“SAVE OREGON BIRDS” ACT
Relating to the control of feral cat populations and the protection of wildlife; requiring the spaying or neutering of outdoor-access cats; and prescribing penalties for noncompliance.
Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Outdoor Cat Population Control and Wildlife Protec Act."
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SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act:
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"Cat" means any domestic cat (Felis catus) of any age, sex, or breed.
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"Outdoor-access cat" means any cat that is allowed to roam or have access to the outdoors, whether continuously or intermittently.
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"Spay" means the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus of a female cat to prevent reproduction.
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"Neuter" means the surgical removal of the testes of a male cat to prevent reproduction.
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"Local jurisdiction" means any county, city, or municipality within the state of Oregon.​
SECTION 3. REQUIREMENT FOR SPAYING OR NEUTERING OF OUTDOOR-ACCESS CATS.
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Spay or Neuter Requirement.
All owners of outdoor-access cats in the state of Oregon shall ensure that their cats are spayed or neutered by no later than six months of age or within 60 days of taking ownership of the cat, whichever comes first. -
Exceptions.
The requirement in subsection (1) shall not apply to:-
Cats under the age of six months.
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Cats with medical conditions that prevent them from being spayed or neutered, as certified by a licensed veterinarian.
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Cats used in certified breeding programs, subject to certification by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.​​
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SECTION 4. ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE.
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Local Jurisdictions' Role.
Enforcement of this section shall be the responsibility of the local jurisdictions (counties and cities) within Oregon. Local jurisdictions shall adopt ordinances and create systems for tracking compliance with the provisions of this Act. -
Notification and Registration.
Owners of outdoor-access cats shall be required to register their cats with the local animal control or public health authorities within 30 days of the cat becoming an outdoor-access cat. Local authorities will provide information regarding available spaying and neutering services, including subsidized programs for low-income residents. -
Penalties for Noncompliance.
Failure to comply with the spaying or neutering requirement may result in:-
A fine of up to $200 for a first offense.
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A fine of up to $500 for subsequent offenses.
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A judge may order community service instead of a fine depending on the circumstances.
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A court order requiring the owner to spay or neuter the cat or relinquish the cat to a local animal shelter.
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Incentives for Compliance.
The state of Oregon may allocate funds to local jurisdictions to support spaying and neutering programs, particularly in low-income or underserved areas. Local authorities may provide vouchers or subsidized fees to help cover the cost of the procedure.
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SECTION 5. REPORTING AND DATA COLLECTION.
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Annual Reporting.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, in collaboration with local authorities, shall compile an annual report on the implementation of this Act, including the number of cats spayed or neutered, the reduction in feral cat populations, and the impact on local wildlife populations, particularly bird species. -
Data Collection.
Local jurisdictions shall maintain records on the number of outdoor-access cats within their area, the number of compliance checks performed, and the enforcement actions taken.
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SECTION 6. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act, or its application to any person or circumstance, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this Act are severable.
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SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2025, and the spaying or neutering requirement for outdoor-access cats shall be enforced beginning on July 1, 2025.
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SECTION 8. APPROPRIATIONS.
The Oregon Legislative Assembly shall appropriate funds to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for the administration and enforcement of this Act, including funding for local spaying and neutering programs. Funds made from fines will go towards a fund for low-income cat owners to receive help with spaying and neutering costs.
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