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Conway accepts $20,000 Best Friends award to expand cat lifesaving and TNVR efforts
Summary
The council approved resolution R25‑11 to accept $20,000 from Best Friends Animal Society to fund a Conway Cat Lifesaving Sustainability Grant, enabling expanded trap‑neuter‑vaccinate‑return (TNVR) activity and other cat adoption initiatives.
The Conway City Council approved resolution R25‑11 to enter into an agreement with Best Friends Animal Society and accept a $20,000 grant to expand cat lifesaving programs, including a Trap‑Neuter‑Vaccinate‑Return (TNVR) initiative. Public Works and animal services staff said the funds will support spay/neuter and vaccination efforts aimed at reducing unowned cat populations and improving live‑outcome rates.
David Mitchell, identified in the meeting as Conway Animal Services leadership, told the council the shelter currently reports a 96.9 percent live outcome rate for animals and that the grant will help target uncontrolled cat colonies in certain mobile home parks where staff estimate hundreds of free‑roaming cats. Mitchell and Public Works staff said the TNVR program reduces mating‑related noise and disease transmission and lowers the annual number of kittens born into unmanaged colonies.
Staff named local partners that assist in adoptions and outreach, including Gibson’s Cat Café and PetSmart/Petco adoption programs. Council members praised the work and approved acceptance of the funds so staff can begin program activities. The resolution passed; the meeting record did not show a detailed roll‑call tally in the transcript excerpt but staff stated the council approved the funding and would begin implementation.
Implementation details in the presentation include trapping cats from identified colonies, providing spay/neuter and vaccinations, returning sterilized cats to their capture location when appropriate, and partnering with adoption organizations to increase live outcomes. Staff said two cats were euthanized earlier in the year because they were injured beyond humane treatment; otherwise the shelter has focused on live outcome strategies.
