Veterinarian urges council to authorize spay/neuter, volunteer program to address stray cats in Orange

Dr. Kelly Kaye, a veterinarian who said she travels from Winnie, told the City of Orange during public comment on March 11 that she regularly receives requests to help stray and pregnant cats and urged the council to adopt ordinances and volunteer programs to allow catch‑spay‑return services.

"I would be willing to wager that 20% of the phone calls that come into the office of Orange and the animal control for sure are about stray animals," Dr. Kaye said. She said she has been approved as a vendor but lacks a clear process and wants the city to authorize capture, spay/neuter and ear‑tipping so treated animals can be identified and returned to the community.

Kaye asked whether the city has the required animal advisory board and said the board should include a veterinarian. "I still have never been able to ascertain the advisory board. There should be an animal advisory board by law that includes a veterinarian," she said and offered to participate.

Council members and other speakers in the meeting noted the need for animal shelter ordinances and volunteer programs. Councilmember Burge said the ordinance and volunteer program "is much needed." Staff did not provide an immediate timeline at the meeting for ordinance drafting or formal establishment of a volunteer program.

Context and next steps

Dr. Kaye said she has driven more than an hour to attend council meetings and is approved as a vendor; she asked the city to create clear enabling ordinances and an advisory board so outside veterinarians and volunteers can help reduce feral and stray cat populations. The council acknowledged the request during the public comment period and did not take a formal vote on policy during this meeting.