10 Oct Law of unintended consequences — puddy tat division

SEO bait: First cat photo ever on Contrarian

The Nova Scotia government yesterday introduced legislation requiring anyone selling a cat to obtain a Veterinarian’s certificate of health.

A vet’s office in Sydney told me a certificate of health for a healthy cat, “would probably just be the examination fee, which is $65 plus tax” (or $74.75).  Selling a litter of cats will presumably require a litter of certificates, though perhaps there would be a bulk discount.

Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell is defends the legislation as a measure to combat animal abuse and abandonment.

I know animal protection is as important to Nova Scotians as it is to me. Animal abuse is intolerable. I am committed to doing all I can as minister to make sure that we have the proper legislation and regulations in place so companion animals in this province are properly cared for and protected.

Surely it will have the opposite effect. Government is erecting a financial barrier between people who have cats they want to get rid of and people who might be willing to take on those pets. Surely this will increase abandonment and abuse, not curtail it.