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Council discusses feral-cat control; volunteers and limited surgery budget cited
Summary
Council held an initial discussion of feral-cat population control, citing a volunteer-run trap-neuter-return program that has spayed/neutered 83 cats since September 2023 with a $4,000 annual surgery budget and limited veterinary capacity; council tabled further action for a future meeting.
Council members opened a discussion about feral cats and community cats programs after several constituents raised concerns about outdoor feeding and high cat numbers on private properties.
Deputy service director Sam Eisen (referenced in committee materials) provided program statistics submitted to council: since September 2023, volunteers have trapped and transported for spay/neuter 83 cats; the volunteer network includes 21 property volunteers (permit holders for trap placement) and 11 trapper volunteers. The program relies on Clint Animal Care for surgeries; staff said Clint can perform approximately five surgeries in a single day, and surgeries occur roughly every two weeks. Program funds are limited: the surgery budget cited is approximately $4,000 per year and covers surgery costs only, with volunteers providing transport, trapping, and related labor.
Council members described enforcement limits (it is not illegal to have multiple cats on private property) and noted the city’s existing outdoor-feeding prohibition intended to limit attractants. Members discussed past outreach, partnerships with Fayette County programs, and the constraints of volunteer capacity and veterinary availability. Council did not adopt new rules at the meeting and agreed to revisit the issue at a future session; staff directed residents to contact Sam Eisen to request trapping assistance or to be added to the volunteer/property list.
