Ripon, California, has enacted an ordinance amendment to prohibit residents from feeding stray cats in public places, a measure aimed at protecting the endangered riparian brush rabbit. The Ripon City Council unanimously approved the amendment on Tuesday, which faces a second reading in September before taking effect. The decision comes amid concerns over a growing feral cat population in city parks, which officials believe is sustained by public feeding.
The ordinance targets the threat posed by feral cats to the riparian brush rabbit, a species whose limited habitat is found along the lower Stanislaus and San Joaquin rivers. The riparian brush rabbit, a small rabbit with a dark, grassy-brown coat, was significantly impacted by severe floods in January 1997. Adult rabbits typically measure between 11 to 14 inches long and weigh between 1 and 1.8 pounds.
The new regulation prohibits the scattering of food or feeding of any animals on public property, including parks, streets, and sidewalks. Exemptions are in place for animal control officers involved in trapping programs. Initially, individuals found in violation will receive warnings and educational information about the ban. Persistent offenders could face a citation of $100.
Beyond their predation on wildlife, concerns have been raised about the health risks associated with unvaccinated and unsterilized stray cat populations, including the potential spread of diseases to other animals.
Some wildlife advocates argue that the feeding ban alone may not be sufficient to control the feral cat issue. Susan Manning, president of Tri-County Wildlife Care, suggested that dedicated individuals could continue feeding cats discreetly and emphasized the necessity of trapping and spaying/neutering programs to manage the existing population. Manning also highlighted the broader implications of protecting the rabbit, stating that its loss would diminish critical biodiversity, which is essential for clean air and water necessary for human survival. Manning told People, "When we lose this rabbit, we lose something that’s really critical to us, which is biodiversity. Biodiversity helps create clean air and water, which is necessary for all of us to survive and thrive."