© 2025 Public Radio East
Public Radio For Eastern North Carolina 89.3 WTEB New Bern 88.5 WZNB New Bern 91.5 WBJD Atlantic Beach 90.3 WKNS Kinston 89.9 W210CF Greenville
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
89.3 WTEB operating at reduced power

Ayden Police strictly enforcing an ordinance that bans the feeding of stray animals

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published October 16, 2025 at 7:13 AM EDT
Not <a href="http://www.lassp.cornell.edu/ardlouis/dissipative/Schrcat.html">Schrödinger's (unfortunate) cat</a>.
iStockphoto.com
Not Schrödinger's (unfortunate) cat.

Police in an eastern North Carolina town will be strictly enforcing an ordinance that bans the feeding of stray animals after an increase in the number of stray cats in Ayden.

Ayden Police officials said there are penalties for feeding or harboring such animals.

If anyone feeds or cares for a stray for seven days, they’re considered the legal owner of the animal. Fines range from $25 to $50, and the ordinance states that subsequent violations can include $100 fines.

The misdemeanor could also include a month in jail.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston