Apartments & Stray Cats
A Pro-Active Approach

Every year, most of the shelter and rescue groups in our region receive calls about stray and feral cat "problems" at apartment complexes. How about a proactive project of contacting the management at area apartments and offering to help. Consider this sample letter (attach a list of groups that they can call):

Dear Manager:

We are contacting apartment managers in our area to discuss a situation that concerns us all. As animal shelters and rescue groups, we are often called upon to assist with homeless cats. People begin feeding a stray or two, and before long they find that there are more cats than they can handle because the cats have kittens. Our shelters report that apartment complexes are a major source of homeless cats, and the numbers grow every year.

Even when pets are not allowed in apartments, strays seek food at trash dumpsters and sympathetic tenants may feed them. We have some suggestions that can help prevent the increasing numbers, and we are eager to cooperate with you in this effort.

First, if your complex does allow pets, we urge you to require that all animals be spayed or neutered, and that all cats be kept exclusively indoors. We can assist with low-cost spay/neuter information to assist your tenants. A sample section that can be inserted in your lease would say:

The management of the property at ______ reserves the right to exercise control over the Tenant's keeping of domestic pets in the apartment.

1. All local and state animal laws will be obeyed.

2. Tenant will provide a leash or secure carrier for any animal taken on or off the property. No animal shall be allowed to run at large.

3. Any dog or cat living on the premises shall be spayed or neutered when age permits the operation to be performed safely. Proof of surgery shall be provided to the manager.

4. No animal kept in the apartment shall be left for unreasonably long periods of time (dog - 10 hours, cat 24 hours) without care. If the Tenant cannot return home within a reasonable time to tend to the animal's needs, provisions will be made to have a responsible person attend to the animal.

5. No animal will be left outside unattended.

6. Any animal living in the apartment will receive appropriate veterinary care as needed (i.e. Communicable diseases and parasites will be treated or prevented, annual veterinary examinations will be performed, etc.).

7. Any animal living in the apartment will be treated humanely and provided with adequate food, water, and attention to all needs.

8. No animals will be permitted in the apartment without the permission and approval of the management.

9. Additions or alterations: (fill in your own words)

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For all apartment complexes, it is essential that trash dumpsters be kept securely closed at all times to prevent animals from getting inside to seek food. Also, please be aware that abandoning an animal is a crime in our state (NJ), punishable by a fine of $ 1000.

If cats or other animals do become a concern on your property, you can contact us for help. Attached is a list of animal shelters and rescue groups who can offer assistance and suggestions. Please retain this list and let us know how we can assist you. We would appreciate it if you would return the attached form.

Sample questions for return form:

Name and title of person responding;

Name and address of apartment with phone number;

Number of units;

Do you allow pets?;

What conditions apply to pets if allowed?;

Are you aware of stray cats on your property?;

Have you had any concerns about strays in the past and how have you handled them?;

Are there any immediate concerns that we can help with?