SB 250 Does Appear to Impact Feral Colony Managers

Actually reading the latest version of SB 250 leads me to the conclusion that SB 250 can be used punatively against feral caretakers and feeders due to its definition of  "custodian," as below. A custodian is defined as someone who "means any person who undertakes the personal care and control of a cat, or any person who intentionally provides care, security, or sustenance for a cat on the person’s property for any period exceeding 30 days.

"Care of a cat" clearly covers care of ferals by feeders and colony managers. The second half of the sentence applies to "non-owners," meaning, I guess, people who declare cats living on their property are not theirs, who take care of the cat for 30 days.

The penalty for not S/N such a cat and providing the licensing agency with proof of sterility is $100/day.

Based on this interpretation, I would have to conclude the legislation can be, and likely will be used against feral colony caretakers.




31751.4. (a) (1) It is unlawful for any person who owns, keeps,
or harbors any unsterilized cat six months of age or older to allow

or permit that unsterilized cat to roam at large.

THIS TOO SEEMS TO REFER TO FERAL CARE TAKERS WHO "KEEP" CATS.


(2) An owner or custodian of an unsterilized cat who permits that cat to roam at large shall have the animal sterilized, or obtain a certificate of sterility.

(c), the owner or custodian shall provide the licensing agency written verification from a licensed veterinarian that the subject cat has been sterilized. The licensing
agency may impose a penalty pursuant to Section 30804.7 not to
exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per day, in addition to any other
existing penalty which may be imposed consistent with this chapter,
against the owner or custodian if the owner or custodian fails to
provide the required sterilization information.

(1) “Custodian” means any person who undertakes the personal
care and control of a cat, or any person who intentionally provides
care, security, or sustenance for a cat on the person’s property for
any period exceeding 30 days. “Custodian” does not include a
licensing agency.

I WOULD SUPPORT THE LEGISLATION IF IT SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED PERSONS WHO MAINTAIN FERAL COLONIES.