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Volunteer advocates ask Middletown to adopt trap‑neuter‑return management for Smith Park cats
Summary
A volunteer urged the council to repeal or amend the city's ordinance on stray/feral cats and adopt trap‑neuter‑return‑manage (TNRM); speakers cited studies and examples and asked the city to support volunteer efforts.
Middletown — A volunteer urged the City Council on May 20 to replace the city’s current removal policy for stray and feral cats with a trap‑neuter‑return‑manage program, saying volunteers have successfully reduced colony sizes elsewhere and that the current approach is ineffective.
Cindy Lee, who identified herself as living at 515 Courier Road, said TNRM stabilizes and gradually reduces colonies, improves feline health and reduces conflict behaviors. She cited studies and programs, saying the University of Florida saw a 66% decrease in colony size over 11 years, and that Newburyport, Massachusetts, reduced an estimated colony of more than 300 cats.
Lee said volunteers already undertake TNRM work in Middletown and that forced relocation creates a "vacuum effect" that brings new cats into cleared territory, undoing removal efforts. She urged council to repeal or amend the ordinance and support volunteers working on Smith Park colonies.
Council did not take action on the request during the meeting. Lee also referenced guidance from public‑health organizations in support of humane TNRM approaches.
