Q: can you be charged with animal cruelty when giving food nd shelter to stray and feral cats?
A: Have you received a citation or are you just concerned about your general liability? In answer to your question. it depends on the specifics of your situation, but here are the general guidelines. The statute is CRS 18-9-202 (link--"Colorado Statutes": http://www.intotolegal.com/upcoming%20Events/Forms.html). Animal cruelty has two basic prongs. The first is intentional physical or emotional harm to a cat/dog (this does not require ownership). The second is failure to provide necessary food/water/shelter (this requires ownership or control). Assuming no physical harm is occurring, the issue turns on whether the stray cats are de facto your cats (i.e. ownership). If not, providing food/shelter is not a crime; if you do have ownership (or ownership-like powers) it MAY be a crime if you are failing to provide adequate protection of the cats (again the facts of your situation define). Contact a lawyer if you want specific advice.
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