House Cats as Pets
House cats are not wild animals. House cats are also known as "domesticated" cats. Although the house cat and its closest wild relative both possess 38 chromosomes, they are genetically different and cannot interbreed. If raised with little or no human contact, house cats can become feral. Adult feral cats that have never socialized with humans can rarely be socialized. As for leashes, associations can adopt their own leash requirements in addition to any that cities and counties might adopt. Boards can require owners not to allow their cats to roam the property.
Stray Cats in the Common Areas
If there are "homeless" cats that are hungry, people will feed them. Associations can work with pest control to trap stray cats and remove them to a shelter. Under the law of unintended consequences, removing the cats may allow the rodent population to increase, so you should set traps for them as well. Some associations participate in a "Trap Neuter Release" program where they rent traps and then take stray cats to a place called "Fix Nation" where they are spayed & neutered for free. The cats are then returned to their environment the next morning. These fixed cats keep other fertile feral cats away & keep rodent populations down.
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