The Jefferson city council will once again discuss the issue of unowned cats. On the agenda for the June 8 meeting is discussion of a proposed addition dealing with feral cats to the city’s animal protection and control ordinance. The ordinance would mandate participating in a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program.
The ordinance defines “feral” as “wild or untamed.” It specifies that a feral cat is not a stray cat. A “feral cat colony” is a group of homeless, wild or untamed cats living or growing together.
The proposed ordinance would outlaw maintaining a feral cat colony unless the colony is a managed colony in which food, water and shelter are provided by a caregiver in conjunction with a TNR program.
The goal of the ordinance is to encourage the stabilization of the feral cat population within the city. To that end, the city would implement a TNR program, live-trapping any free-roaming cats in a humane manner; having the cat surgically altered, ear-notched (if feral), and microchipped (if feral and if so determined by city staff); and vaccinated against rabies.
A written report will be provided to the city council annually of the number and location of colonies in the city; the total number of cats in colonies; the number of cats and kittens spayed and neutered as part of the TNR program; and the number of cats/kittens placed in permanent homes.
The ordinance outlines the responsibility of the “caregiver” of a feral cat colony. The caregiver must take responsibility for feeding and watering the cat colony regularly throughout the year, and he/she must work to sterilize, vaccinate and ear-notch all adult cats that can be captured. Implanting a microchip is recommended but not required.
The caregiver must ensure that food storage areas are secure from insects, rodents, and other vermin. The caregiver must also remove droppings, spoiled food and other waste as often as necessary, and at least every seven days, to prevent odors, insects, or attracting rodents.
If kittens are born to a colony cat, the caregiver must take “reasonable” steps likely to result in the removal of the kittens to homes or foster homes for the purpose of subsequent permanent placement. The caregiver must also provide proper medical attention to any colony at that appears to need it.
The colony would need to be registered with the city. The caregiver must also provide contact information in case there are complaints about the colony, and complete city-generated forms twice a year with information about the colony.
There has not been council discussion of the cost of implementing TNR and how the cost would be paid.
The council will meet June 8 at 5:30 pm at the municipal building, 220 N. Chestnut St. It will be livestreamed on the City of Jefferson Facebook page.
