Berwyn officials discuss trap-neuter-return working-cat program and resident survey

Amber Dawn, the city administrator’s assistant, presented a draft working‑cat ordinance and a plan to identify and manage feral cat colonies in Berwyn. "I'm looking to collect those animals, put them through the trap neuter release program ... and maybe set them up with a family or at least release them back on the streets where they can do what they naturally do," Dawn said.

The discussion focused on using Trap‑Neuter‑Return (TNR) as an alternative to shelter intake and euthanasia, mapping colonies to rodent‑sighting data, recruiting resident caregivers for “working‑cat” placements, and partnering with a local nonprofit, Cat Bandu. "Every cat that goes through our system is registered. Their care takers are registered," said Ellen Miles, founder and director of Cat Bandu, who outlined TNR procedures and volunteer responsibilities.

Nut graf: The city brought the draft ordinance and program proposal to Committee of the Whole as a conversation starter; council members and staff discussed program logistics, resident outreach, and animal‑care practices rather than taking immediate legislative action. City staff said they will run a citywide survey to locate existing colonies, tally TNR‑treated cats, and recruit caregivers before expanding placements.

Program details most emphasized by presenters included microchipping and vaccinations for cats taken through TNR, temporary housing and acclimation for relocated cats, and caregiver commitments. Miles described medical and identification steps Cat Bandu provides: surgery, rabies vaccination, FVRCP vaccine, microchip, flea and parasite treatment and a caregiver agreement. She said acclimation enclosures are typically used for about five weeks before cats are released to a new yard and that volunteer caregivers should provide food, water and shelter.

City staff and Cat Bandu also described financial and operational details discussed at the meeting: Cat Bandu offered temporary holding for trapped cats at about $10 per day and $20 per day for sick animals; “true catch” style traps run approximately $90 each; Cat Bandu reported having more than 800 registered colonies overall, but the group could identify only an approximate number of TNR‑recorded cats in Berwyn. Dawn said she FOIAed Cook County and estimated about 135 TNR cats in Berwyn, including "one colony of eight cats," but she said precise locations and caregiver contacts are not yet known.

Council members and residents asked how the city would ensure caregivers are available for relocated cats and how the city would avoid creating competing colonies in close proximity. Dawn said the survey will ask residents whether they already care for colonies, whether they would volunteer as caretakers, and where feral cats are located so staff can match colonies with rodent hot spots. City staff said Community Service Officers (CSOs) will monitor registered colonies and that the program budget includes funds for outdoor cat housing for volunteer caretakers.

Discussion vs. decision: Presenters and councilors discussed options including (a) trapping and returning cats to their original locations after TNR, (b) placing TNR cats with volunteer working‑cat families after a temporary acclimation period, or (c) delaying trapping until caregivers are identified. The ordinance on the table was described as a draft and a conversation starter; no formal vote on adopting or amending the ordinance occurred during the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Ending: Staff said the next steps are to run the resident survey, identify and register existing colonies, and coordinate with Cat Bandu on logistics and temporary holding. Dawn said she will lead the survey and outreach; Cat Bandu offered to provide technical assistance on humane trapping and caregiver agreements. The city indicated it will return to the Council with findings and any recommended ordinance language after the outreach and data collection are complete.