At the heart of the matter is the lure of raising revenue for money-starved animal control agencies. Cat owners should have to pay-up just like dog owners, so the thinking goes. Unfortunately, the potential to help cats is negligible. Low compliance rates are historical. Attempts at aggressive marketing and promotion of licensing drives-up administration costs.
Enforcement requires additional officers.
More animal control doesn't mean better cat welfare. Additionally, rising administration costs usurp funds that should go to more beneficial programs. If cat licensing is fully implemented and enforced it will result in more cats being impounded in shelters. The cats that have identification, are impounded and returned to owners will not offset increases in cats that are impounded, not claimed and consequently, euthanized. Cat legislation results in campaigns targeting unowned, feral and free roaming cats.