Anderson council advances community cat ordinance after weeks of debate; tabling motion fails

ANDERSON, Ind. — The Anderson Common Council approved Ordinance 30-25 on its first reading on Oct. 9, advancing a proposed community cat program that would authorize a trap-neuter-return (TNR) approach to managing free-roaming cats in the city.

The measure, introduced as Ordinance 30-25, would amend Section 91.69 (mistreatment of animals) by adding a new Section 91.69.0.5 to establish a community cat program and to enable local animal-welfare groups to trap, sterilize and return feral cats. Councilor Greg Graham introduced the ordinance and spoke at length as sponsor.

Council members and the public debated the measure for roughly an hour and a half. The discussion included presentations by local animal-welfare groups and warnings from the city attorney about legal and drafting problems in the current text.

Why it matters: Proponents say TNR is a humane, cost-effective way to reduce feral-cat populations and shelter intake. Opponents and the city attorney raised concerns that the ordinance, as drafted, contains ambiguous definitions and potential liability that could expose the city if not tightened.

What happened at the meeting

- Motion to table: Councilor Turner moved to table Ordinance 30-25 until the next meeting. The motion carried a roll call vote of no: Turner, Culp, Landers, Graham and Newman; yes: Harless, Dixon, Freeman and President Stevenson. The tabling motion failed 4–5.

- First-reading approval: Council conducted a roll-call vote on Ordinance 30-25 for its first reading. The roll call as read in the meeting was: Councilor Turner — yes; Councilor Harless — yes; Councilor Dixon — no; Councilor Freeman — no; Councilor Culp — yes; Councilor Landers — yes; Councilor Graham — yes; Councilor Newman — yes; President Stevenson — yes. The ordinance passed its first reading and will return for further council action.

Discussion highlights and clarifications

- Sponsor’s intent: Councilor Greg Graham framed the ordinance as a municipal code change to allow local nonprofits to apply for outside grants to fund Trap‑Neuter‑Return (TNR) efforts. Graham said he does not want euthanasia to be the first option at the city shelter and that the program is intended to reduce overpopulation through spay/neuter and return.

- Nonprofit presenters: Susan LaPierre, executive director of Ambassadors for God’s Creatures, urged passage and described results from recent TNR work. She said the organizations have already spayed or neutered hundreds of community cats and that Best Friends Animal Society had pledged initial grant support if municipal code is revised. LaPierre said TNR "is a proven data-driven approach to managing free roaming cat populations," and told the council Best Friends’ grant cycle opened Oct. 1.

- Liability and drafting concerns: Paul, the city attorney, said the draft ordinance contains inconsistent and ambiguous language and that some provisions could create, rather than avoid, city liability. He expressed concern the draft defines a "community cat taker" broadly as "any individual in the community," which could allow untrained people to trap animals. Paul recommended further vetting and refinement before final adoption.

- Operational details from nonprofits: Representatives from the Animal Protection League and the Madison County Humane Society, and Ambassadors for God’s Creatures described how feral cats are identified (ear‑tipping and behavior), how colony keepers and volunteers assist, and noted they carry liability insurance. Susan LaPierre told the council her group’s historical figures, saying the organizations have helped sterilize hundreds of cats and raised funds for surgeries; she emphasized the program would seek grant funding rather than city dollars.

- Grant timing: The Best Friends grant application period opened Oct. 1. LaPierre said there is not a strict single-day deadline but emphasized grant cycles favor applicants that are actively implementing programs and that early action improves competitiveness.

What the ordinance would allow (as discussed at meeting)

- Authorize a community cat program and define procedures to enable nonprofits and trained volunteers to trap, sterilize, vaccinate and return feral cats.

- Provide certain carve-outs from enforcement for trained community caregivers acting under program procedures, subject to policies and training.

- Require program policies and training to be documented; proponents said organizations would use ear‑tipping and microchipping to prevent mistaken removal of owned pets.

Remaining questions and next steps

- Legal drafting: City Attorney Paul and the council’s attorney, Tim Lannon, were asked to continue working with proponents to rewrite the ordinance language to reduce ambiguity and liability risk. Several council members asked for clearer definitions and for a narrower definition of who may participate as a "community caregiver."

- Operational agreements: Council members requested clearer written protocols for training volunteers, handling owned versus feral animals, documentation (e.g., microchips, ear‑tipping, pickup logs), and assurances about veterinary capacity and where surgeries would occur.

- Funding: Proponents said the program seeks outside grants (Best Friends Animal Society and other national partners) and does not ask for city funding. The council asked proponents to document likely grant amounts and how funds would be allocated.

Quotes (selected)

- City Attorney Paul: "When these things aren't fully fleshed out and vetted and thought through, it can oftentimes create more issues than it's gonna solve."

- Susan LaPierre, Ambassadors for God's Creatures: "TNR is a proven data-driven approach to managing free roaming cat populations and stopping the breeding cycle." She also said the groups have secured initial grant support and have performed hundreds of surgeries in recent years.

- Councilor Greg Graham (sponsor): "I do not want the shelter to put animals down... unless that's the last option." He added that the program would not require city funding at this time: "Not one dime."

Ending

Council members approved Ordinance 30-25 on its first reading and asked city attorneys and proponents to meet and refine the draft before future readings. Council and administration members signaled a desire to keep working toward clarified language while proponents urged prompt action to improve their chances for outside grant funding.