I haven't posted in a while but still lurk. I wanted to post this to get thoughts of other forum members. I posted here rather than the pet forum as this is more about legalities rather than general pet ownership.

To give you some back story, our neighbours have a dog and a cat. The cat is very young, I would say less than a year old.

They go away frequently and the dog is left in the house with one person visiting once a day to give it food, water and take it for a walk. That is the only time it goes out for a walk. They leave the backdoor open so both the kitten and the dog can go outside (the garden isn't large).

The reason for this thread is because the kitten - beautiful animal - comes to our house and we think it has been hit by a car or someone has hit it. When it sits down, its leg is at an odd angle and his fur around the area is very tatty...

We have tried talking to the people next door, and they say they are too busy to take the kitten to the vet. We have offered to take it for them but they refused due to cost. We have had to call the RSPCA as we think this is a case of neglect. Yes people are busy but if you are so busy you shouldn't have taken the animals in or at least provide more care than a visit a day.

We have been discussing it and we think needing a license for any pets would go some way to preventing some neglect animals are subjected to. Does anyone else think this is a good idea or not?

This clearly is a case of neglect and these people shouldn't have pets. What did the RSPCA do about it?

As for the question of pet licenses, I personally don't think they would prevent the neglect of animals whatsoever.

I'm in agreement with Nicola32. The sort of people that are going to abuse or neglect an animal are also the same people who will ignore any licensing requirements.

Dogs have to be microchipped by Law now. There's no provision yet for cats though. They're seen and treated differently in some respects in the eye of the Law; more like wild animals. For example, if you hit a dog with your car you have to notify the police. It's not that way for small wild animals - badgers, rabbits, pheasant etc. Cats are in the same group.

There are requirements though for cat owners to make sure their pet is cared for adequately. This includes getting treatment for the animal if it is injured. https://www.gov.uk/caring-for-pets

I've never really been keen on licences I'm not sure how they could stop this abuse at all. You need to either take the cat to vet yourself or ring authorities and report the abuse.

RSPCA don't care unless there is money or publicity for them in it.

As long as the dog is getting one visit per 24 hours then its being cared for according to them. Even if the back door is closed and no way to get out for the loo and no walks at all. Even if its howling the roof off its fine and dandy.

A licence is just another way to get money out of those who would not dream of breaking a law even if its a law that isn't much cop . I don't have my dog chipped for my own reasons my cats are done though.

Have you picked the cat up and felt the leg? is it in pain?

Having a licences system does not stop things. ie people who dont have a driving licence still drive and break the law, people with a driving licence drive and break the law. having a licence does not stop bad things as a licence in real terms is nothing more than a piece of paper or plastic

The good old dog license was me going to the local cop shop with about 37p or something like that with a form and 5 mins later walking out as a kid of about 8.

The police would of had no idea of the dog so in the end they scrapped it as it was a waste of time at both ends.

In what way do you think having a licence will prevent it?

If someone can't be bothered to take their cat the vets how will having a bit of paper that says 'I have a cat' prevent that?

And do you think someone who can't be bothered to take their cat the vets will bother to get this bit of paper?

The only thing that will happen is responsible pet owners will have one, and things will carry on exactly as is.

We still have dog licenses in northern Ireland. It's nothing but a money making scam.

"Hello, I would like to buy a fish licence please".
"A what"?
"A licence for my pet fish, Eric".........

.........I promise you that there is no such thing, you don't need one"
"In that case give me a bee licence"
"A licence for your pet bee? Called Eric? Eric the bee?"
"Nope"
"No"?
"Nope......Eric the half bee. He had an accident".