Anderson council adopts community cat (TNR) ordinance after extended public comment on liability and infrastructure

The Common Council of the City of Anderson on Nov. 13 adopted Ordinance 30-25, creating a community cat program that enables local organizations to apply for grant funding to support trap-neuter-return (TNR) work but does not allocate city funds. Councilors passed the ordinance after amending language on procedures and holding periods following legal and veterinary concerns.

The ordinance amends section 91.69 (mistreatment of animals) by adding a new section, 91.69.0.5, establishing a community cat program to allow qualified local groups to seek grants for spay/neuter and related services. The sponsor said the intent is to reduce feral-cat populations through targeted TNR efforts and to allow groups to secure funding from sources such as Best Friends. The council did not approve any city budget allocation for the program.

City Attorney Paul Podlaysky told council the draft contained wording that could conflict with the city’s existing animal-control authority and that the ordinance’s description of impoundment, entry onto private property and the…