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Residents urge county action on feral cats; court approves donations, rabies clinic fee cut and hires testing firm for new animal services facility
Summary
Public commenters described growing feral‑cat problems in Mountain Home and urged more county assistance. Commissioners accepted a microscope donation for animal services, authorized a temporary $1 registration fee during March rabies clinics, and approved a contract for construction materials testing at the county—s new animal services facility.
Kerr County residents told the Commissioner's Court that feral cats are multiplying on rural properties and that animal control services and low‑cost spay/neuter options are inadequate.
Steve Long told the court that feral cats are “an issue that requires your attention” and described local residents relocating cats to the outskirts and then seeing the animals return to neighborhoods. Diana Alonzo, who said she lives in Mountain Home, told the court she currently feeds about 50 cats on her property, that her local shelter limits intake to one cat per week, and that she spent “$12,000 last year on dog and cat food.”
The public comments prompted a later discussion of animal services items on the agenda. The court unanimously approved accepting a Vet 1380 series compound microscope donated by Kerrville Pets Alive for use at county animal services. The court also voted to temporarily reduce the annual pet registration fee to $1 during two rabies vaccination clinic dates—March 1 and March 15—so residents who have animals vaccinated at participating veterinarians can register at a reduced rate. The county clarified the clinics will be held primarily at participating veterinary clinics; rabies vaccination fees at the clinics were noted as $12 in the discussion.
On the facility side, the county engineer presented a proposed contract with UES Professional Solutions 44 LLC to perform construction materials testing and related quality control services for the Kerr County Animal Services facility in Precinct 2. UES—s estimate was $20,340; the court authorized the county judge to execute a contract not to exceed $25,000 to cover testing and contingencies. The county stated the budget adjustment to pay for the work had been made at a prior meeting.
Why it matters: residents described ongoing hardship and out‑of‑pocket costs tied to feral‑cat populations. The court—s actions were aimed at short‑term relief (reduced registration fees during clinics) and longer‑term readiness (testing and quality control for a larger animal services facility). The court did not adopt new enforcement ordinances during the meeting.
Court action and next steps: the donations and the rabies‑clinic fee reduction were approved on the floor by motion and second and carried unanimously. The UES testing contract was authorized and the county engineer will proceed with contract execution under the not‑to‑exceed amount.
Local officials noted there is no single, easy policy solution for feral animals and recommended continued public education and coordination with rescue groups and veterinarians.
