ACC management says they are required to accept only animals "in need." Since healthy, free-roaming cats are obviously not in need (the reasoning goes), they can be turned away or barred from even entering the shelter.

• The problem is, appearance is not the only criterion of need. Without at least a cursory exam and evaluation, the actual physical status of a cat is impossible to determine. 

Some would also argue:

• That an unsterilized cat is "in need" of spay/neuter surgery.
• That a lost cat is "in need" of reuniting with her guardian.
• Or more generally, that any outdoor cat is "in need" of protection from the real and unrelenting threats of outdoor life, including wildlife predators, other cats, food and water insecurity, diseases, parasites, speeding vehicles, cat haters, cold or inclement weather, or simply getting lost.

Nor can anyone know if a cat is microchipped without scanning her for one. If a cat's guardian is located and comes to the shelter to claim their pet, not only would ACC acquire reunion fee revenue, the guardian might be more inclined to convert the indoor/outdoor lifestyle of their cat to indoor-only.