Kimberly Olson, a resident of northwest Columbia, is living with 20 cats, each with its own name ranging from “Lucifer” to “Pebbles.” Despite initially not realizing it, Olson’s feline family has put her at the center of a debate regarding Columbia’s pet limit ordinance, which currently restricts residents to no more than four dogs or cats over the age of six months.
“I have 20 cats inside my home, and they are my pets,” Olson explained. “They’re not colony cats, they’re not anything like that. I care for each and every one of them.”
Olson’s journey to becoming a well-known cat enthusiast began when she launched a YouTube channel titled “Life with 18 Cats…Unedited,” which was a hit, gaining thousands of subscribers in just six weeks. Today, Olson’s channel boasts nearly 5,000 subscribers.
The success of her channel, however, took a turn when one of her subscribers reported her to Columbia Animal Control in August for exceeding the pet limit. “Unfortunately, as much as I think that’s morally reprehensible, because I was obviously not doing anything wrong with my cats, I was still in violation of the law,” Olson said.
Faced with the choice of surrendering 16 cats or leaving the home she had just purchased, Olson took a chance and spoke to City Council. Fortunately, Mayor Buffaloe supported her cause, and the city began reviewing the pet limit ordinance.
While Olson’s situation seemed dire, she now sees it as an opportunity for change, not just for her but for responsible pet owners throughout the city. “Not only are we doing something to help people like me who are responsible pet owners, but across the board, we’re helping animals throughout the whole city,” Olson stated.
The Columbia/Boone County Board of Public Health and Human Services is currently revising several key animal control ordinances, including the pet limit law. Columbia Animal Control Supervisor Kevin Meyers emphasized that the ordinance is outdated and needs to be more flexible. “There are a lot of people that do have multiple animals that they take really good care of,” he explained.
The proposed changes to the pet limit would still uphold general regulations but would include allowances for cases like Olson’s to be evaluated individually. This would ensure that responsible pet owners with multiple animals are not unfairly penalized.
While Olson’s case is still being reviewed, the potential changes are seen as a positive step for pet owners who provide proper care for their animals. Meyers acknowledged the importance of maintaining pet limits to prevent issues related to noise, odor, and the well-being of the pets.
In Olson’s case, each of her 20 cats receives regular medical care, vaccinations, and has a detailed medical record. “They might put limitations, like my situation,” Olson said. “They might look at mine and say, OK, we’re going to allow you to keep your 20 cats, but your numbers need to be able to go down by attrition.”
While Olson’s journey isn’t over, she remains optimistic and determined. “I figure you have to be able to live through each battle in order to win the war at the end,” she said.
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