Is It Illegal To Dump Cat Litter. It’s illegal to dump soiled cat litter on public property. This includes landfills, backyards, and anywhere else.
Cat is messy and can be very harmful if they aren’t cleaned properly, so it’s vital that pet owners dispose of their cat litter properly every time.
If a homeowner doesn’t have the time or extra money for a huge bag of litter, you can use a smaller bag to double up with each time it gets full.
Another option is to recycle your used kitty litter there are many organizations that accept donations from cat owners and buy the material from them.
Is It Illegal To Dump Cat Litter
It is illegal to dump cat litter unless it is to dispose of both animal waste and human refuse. The process combines two different types of materials, both of which must be disposed of properly depending on the situation. Although many apartment complexes demand trash removal services for those who live in them, there is no requirement that they recycle their cat litter. So while you may feel guilty about throwing it away in a public dumpster or bin instead, you should rest easy knowing that it’s perfectly legal to do so whenever possible.
Dangers of Dumping
Cats like to consume certain worms, rodents, and other small critters that they typically find in their environment. Occasionally, during grooming, cats will inadvertently ingest microscopic parasites or pathogens.
While most of these bugs are harmless to a cat’s otherwise healthy immune system, they may cause problems for newborns, people with compromised immune systems, and pregnant mothers.
The latter can often pass on the pathogens to their unborn children through the placenta.
Side Effects
By dumping clumping cat litter, you may spread Toxoplasma gondii to any wildlife or people who come in direct or indirect contact with the infected.
In an infected cat’s intestines, the parasite rapidly reproduces and sheds millions of oocysts into your yard when the cat eliminates.
Oocysts are effectively T.gondii’s egg form and can survive on grassy lawns for months and be carried by rainwater to streams and wetlands where they can spread further.
Besides taking care not to get toxoplasmosis yourself you should also try to avoid contracting salmonella poisoning.
Against The Law
In some areas, adding cat litter to the garbage may result in hefty fines and even criminal charges.
For example, in the United States, it may be considered illegal for householders to dispose of cat litter or other animal waste material through garbage collection services.
Needless to say, it’s best to limit your exposure to these kinds of laws by finding another disposal solution or talking with your local government officials about building a site that is suitable for disposing of animal waste materials.
Disposing of Soiled Litter
The only safe and effective methods of cat litter disposal are to compost, bury, or bag it and trash. Be sure you know the basic steps of how to compost cat waste before attempting.
It’s important to adhere to strict standards when it comes to eliminating toxoplasmosis from kitty litter.
Bear in mind that it can be illegal in some jurisdictions for any pet waste, including cat litter, as well as other household waste such as food scraps or yard clippings, to be disposed of in your home recycling. Local regulations vary widely with respect to composting so once again, check with your turf beforehand.
FAQs
Is It Okay If I Dump Cat Litter In The Woods?
Don’t dump the cat litter in the woods. It is illegal in most areas and there is still a risk of spreading toxoplasmosis even if you do it deep into a forest.
Toxoplasmosis can survive in the environment for over a year and travel along with water, so dumping cat litter could expose wildlife and possibly hurt various species that live nearby.
Final Thoughts
Dumping cat litter is a crime, but for some reason, it remains popular. Each year, thousands of cats enter shelters with owners who have grown tired of the mess these animals make. 75% of those pets are euthanized. While we can easily scoop away kitty litter from our floors, only 1-5% of it gets recycled. The long-term effects of this practice are so dangerous to animals and people alike that California and Massachusetts have made it illegal to dispose of cats this way. In 2009, for instance, numerous sea birds got sick due to their fish diets being contaminated by the remnants of kitty litter left on beaches.