Residents press Lake Jackson council to revisit cat restraint ordinance; mayor to form subcommittee

Dozens of residents urged the Lake Jackson City Council on Jan. 6 to reconsider recent changes to the city’s animal ordinance that they say would criminalize common outdoor cat care and risk increased impoundments at the SPCA.

Speakers said the wording in the revised nuisance/animal ordinance could be used to require cats to be restrained even while on their owners’ private property and urged the council to explore alternatives including city‑sponsored spay‑and‑neuter programs and trap‑neuter‑return (TNR). Mayor said he would chair a citizens’ outreach subcommittee and invited residents and staff to help develop options before further ordinance action.

Why it matters: Residents and animal‑welfare volunteers told the council that the change could punish responsible caretakers, escalate impoundments and remove a local option—TNR—that advocates say reduces feral cat populations humanely. Several speakers also said the SPCA lacks capacity to hold additional animals and that local low‑cost sterilization options are limited.

Resident concerns and requests

Nancy Pearson (who identified herself as also known as Nancy Dolchico), a…