Northland residents advocate for community cat ordinance amid pet limit controversy

The Northglenn City Council meeting held on May 12, 2025, addressed several key issues, with a significant focus on the community cat ordinance and its implications for local animal control efforts.

The meeting began with a discussion led by a volunteer involved in the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for community cats. This program aims to manage feral cat populations humanely by trapping, neutering, and returning them to their original locations. The speaker highlighted the importance of this initiative, noting that it helps stabilize cat populations and reduces the breeding cycle. The Northglenn City Council had previously passed a community cat ordinance in February, which was unanimously supported and encouraged by the Riverdale Bridal Shelter.

A recent state bill was also mentioned, which includes TNR in a license plate program to support animal shelters. However, concerns were raised regarding a new pet limit ordinance that could penalize caregivers of community cats. The speaker expressed feelings of betrayal, arguing that the community cat ordinance should not be undermined by the pet limit regulations. They emphasized that caregivers do not introduce new cats into neighborhoods and play a crucial role in managing existing populations.

The discussion underscored the potential negative consequences of penalizing caregivers, including increased nuisance behaviors among cats as they search for food and shelter. The speaker warned that neglecting community cats could lead to more significant issues, such as increased fighting, disease spread, and a rise in the number of kittens born in the community.

The speaker also addressed a separate issue involving a hoarding situation in Northglenn, where owned cats were allowed to roam freely, contributing to the problem of unregulated pet populations. They urged the council to ensure that the community cat ordinance remains intact and clarified that it should not be conflated with regulations intended for owned pets.

The meeting concluded with a call for support from the council to uphold the community cat ordinance, emphasizing the need for a clear distinction between community cats and owned pets in future regulations. The council's response to these concerns will be crucial in shaping the future of animal control and community cat management in Northglenn.