MAIN PETITION HERE: https://www.change.org/p/missouri-state-representatives-change-the-missouri-department-of-agriculture-guidelines-for-cat-housing-requirements

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At the Northeast Missouri Humane Society we could house up to 75 total cats at one time, only putting down sick or aggressive cats. This number was lowered to 30 due to only being able to house one kitten/cat per 3 square foot cage, not taking in to account the size of cat or age. This was one of the biggest rules in the Department of Agriculture guidelines that were enforced upon us that directly impacts the save rate. We sometimes have up to 8 or more kittens/cats come in each day which puts us in a complicated spot. We are asking for the rules to be changed or for a waiver to allow us to house the cats we use to house.

That being said, if we have four kittens that are about eight to ten weeks old come in - instead of being able to put all four in a 6 foot square cage (which is plenty big for them) four cages are taken up, and four cats put at risk for being put to sleep in their place. Keep in mind this is even true if they are four to six week orphans. So they are missing valuable companionship opportunities and less cats are being seen and having a chance to be adopted.

Due to this guideline, we are now unable to take cats from outside of Hannibal now.

We are requesting that the guideline be changed in a way that takes the cat's size into consideration which is posted below (keeping in mind this is a temporarily housing until they are adopted, not a permanent living enclosure). 

Kittens up to 4.0 lbs. require 1.5 square feet

Kittens over 4.0 lbs. require 2.0 square feet

Cats up to 6.5 lbs. require 2.5 square feet

Cats over 6.5 lbs. and under 9.0 lbs. require 3.0 square feet 

Cats over 9.0 lbs. require 4 square feet

With the following restrictions to remain a good standard of care:.

Kittens housed in colonies (more than four kittens) must be provided an additional 3.0 square feet in addition to the total amount of square feet calculated from the kitten chart requirements above.

Cats housed in colonies (more than four cats) must be provided an additional 5.0 square feet in addition to the total amount of square feet calculated from the cat chart requirements above.