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Resident asks Greenville City Council for help as humane-society TNR funds run out
Summary
Matt Gette told council the local humane society has exhausted funds for spay/neuter services and asked the city to identify additional support for a trap-neuter-return effort, while council members said estimates of the scale vary and noted limited municipal resources.
Matt Gette, a downtown Greenville resident, told the council during public comment that the local humane society has told his brother it has no remaining funds to spay and neuter cats and that volunteers are bearing the cost of capture and veterinary care.
"They have no more money left to spay and neuter cats," Gette said, describing ongoing efforts to capture and nurse injured animals and asking whether the city could identify additional funds or other options to support the TNR (trap-neuter-return) effort.
Council discussion acknowledged the problem but cautioned against assuming a large, one-time price tag. A council member who spoke during the exchange said earlier extrapolations of the feral-cat population produced figures in the six-figure range but noted the city is not in a position to cover that magnitude and suggested a steady, targeted approach.
Supporters at the podium urged the council "don't let the perfect prevent the possible," saying volunteers have reduced the problem where they are able but need modest help to continue. One commenter said the humane society had about $1,500 left at an earlier meeting, while the society staff reportedly told Gette's brother funds were exhausted; that discrepancy was presented to council as part of the public record.
The council did not take formal action on the request during the meeting. Members discussed that available municipal funds are limited and emphasized that longer-term solutions would likely require persistent, not one-time, assistance. Staff or council members suggested coordinating with existing humane-society programs (including periodic low-cost clinics) and volunteer networks to identify options.
Next steps: No formal referral or appropriation was recorded on the meeting agenda; residents at the meeting were encouraged to follow up with council members and city staff, and volunteers were advised to coordinate with the humane society and existing low-cost clinic schedules.
