Members of council on the city’s economic and community development committee voted in favour of the motion by a show of hands.
“I’m moving [this motion] today because, truly I think people don’t want free-roaming cats,” Carroll said. “It is horrendously traumatic when you find a cat that has met with misfortune.”
However, the bylaw change hasn’t received final approval. It was not included in Wednesday’s staff report featuring potential rule changes to the chapter of the city’s municipal code dealing with animals and would still need the majority support of council before it could go into effect. Council is scheduled to debate the issue in two weeks.
Executive Director of the Toronto Wildlife Centre, Nathalie Karvonen, was present to speak on the subject Wednesday.
Addressing the committee, Kavonen cited a 2013 study conducted by Environ ment Canada researchers stating an approximate 200 million birds are killed by cats in Canada annually. She called outdoor cats a “massive problem” for Toronto-area wildlife.
Conversely, Carleton Grant, executive director of the licensing and standards division at the city, expressed he didn’t believe the plan was feasible, calling it “impossible” and “problematic.”
Current bylaws allow the city to impound cats that are causing damage or creating a nuisance.
