Cat licences now mandatory in Calgary

Licences for cats became mandatory in Calgary as of Jan. 1, with owners facing a $250 fine if caught with an unlicensed pet.

"Accidents happen, animals escape. For peace of mind and ensuring your animal gets home safely, it's probably the best thing going right now," said Alvin Murray, a spokesman withbylaw services.

The city estimates there may be as many as 100,000 cats in Calgary.During the voluntary licensing period that began in July last year, 10,000 licences were handed out, said Murray.

The yearly fee for licensing cats is $30 for a cat that is not spayed or neutered, $10 for a cat aged three months or older that is fixed, and $15 for a kitten aged three to six months that isn't fixed.

All the money collected goes back to the animal services department, which shelters abandoned pets and offers an adoption program.

Dogs are already licensed in Calgary.