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Residents urge Greenville City Council to bolster trap-neuter-return funding as local caretakers struggle
Summary
Multiple residents urged the Greenville City Council to expand trap-neuter-return (TNR) support after volunteers and caretakers described rising feral-cat numbers, private expenses for trapping and spay/neuter care, and gaps in low-cost services that they say leave kittens unprotected.
Residents urged the Greenville City Council on Sept. 2 to increase support for trap-neuter-return (TNR) efforts, saying volunteers are shouldering large costs and the local humane society has limited capacity.
"My name is Michael Gette. . . my issue is cats," Michael Gette told council during public comment, explaining he has been caring for dozens of abandoned animals and asking the city to help pay for spay and neuter services. He said volunteers can trap and return cats if sterilization is available.
Several other caretakers described the scale and costs. "I've got 30 cats of my own now that are abandoned cats that I feed," Gette said, and Chrissy Addis Bunger, a property owner, said private spay procedures have cost her about $200 per animal. Longtime resident Ron Osman told the council volunteers are already paying thousands in vet bills and described obstacles trapping some feral mothers.
A city representative provided a program-level point of reference during the session: the city currently allocates $4,000 a year for a local TNR program, and the local humane society matches that amount. Residents said that level of funding falls well short of the estimated needs: speakers used population estimates (one cat per five people or similar heuristics) and an 80% sterilization target as a benchmark, and estimated that achieving the target quickly could require low-six-figure sums if done in a single year.
Council members and staff asked clarifying questions about costs and capacity, and discussed options including partnering with larger humane organizations and applying for grants (residents cited the Bissell grant in nearby jurisdictions as an example that can cover full-service spay/neuter with shots). Councilmember Norris said staff would follow up with the humane society to confirm available funds and options: "Hopefully we'll follow up with Ryan tomorrow and get something moving for you guys," he said in closing remarks.
What happens next: Council did not take formal action on a TNR program request at the meeting, but staff committed to follow up with the humane society and report back to council; several speakers offered to share contacts and grant information with staff.
Ending: The council thanked speakers for attending and noted the matter will receive staff follow-up rather than immediate appropriation or ordinance changes.
