As of 1894, the state passed a law announcing that any person owning a dog was required to obtain a permit for said dog, and if the permit wasn’t renewed yearly, there would be consequences from the ASPCA. What I don’t understand is why not once in the 130 years since the dog license law first took effect, there has never been a similar requirement for the adoption and ownership of cats. While there is no official count as the population is always growing, it was estimated that in 2023 there were over 1 million stray cats in New York City alone, which, if you took into account the rest of the state, seems like the obvious basis to begin passing regulations on the adoption of cats. The stray cat problem of New York originates mainly from the fact that it is so easy for the wrong people to adopt a cat. 
As of right now, all that is required to adopt a cat from a shelter is a valid ID, about a hundred dollars and proof of a current residence, neither of which constitutes the adopter as fit to take care of an animal. These loose rules are what is enabling so many neglectful pet owners, irresponsible college kids and just plain abusers, to do whatever they want with cats. I’ve seen house cats, no longer wanted, be abandoned on a road or sidewalk, left to fight for there lives amongst the harsh New York winters, feline illnesses, cruel people and other strays. Im starting this petition to urge our state government to set regulations when it comes to cat adoptions. The word about the problem facing our furry friends needs to be spread around and action needs to be taken. With enough signatures by you, the people of New York, we may be able to resolve this issue, saving the lives of potential future strays and decreasing the still increasing population of stray cats across our state.