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Council discusses registered cat colonies and possible ordinance tightening after resident complaints
Summary
Residents raised complaints about registered cat colonies using private yards and inconsistent follow-up by CCAT; councilors noted annual reporting requirements in the ordinance and asked staff to convene a workshop to clarify enforcement and inspection procedures.
Residents and council members spent a substantial portion of the May 12 meeting debating the borough’s approach to registered feral-cat colonies and the role of CCAT (Columbia Cat Action Team).
Mayor Lutz said neighbors have reported cats using private gardens and urged the borough to look at the health implications. Multiple council members and residents noted that the borough’s ordinance allows registered colonies but that follow-up and enforcement appear spotty.
A council member pointed to annual reporting requirements in the ordinance and described fields for the number of cats, spay/neuter counts and the number of kittens born. "There are some annual reporting requirements, regarding the number of total number of cats, the number of cats that have been spayed and neutered," a speaker who reviewed the ordinance said.
Residents and CCAT representatives acknowledged success reducing feral-cat numbers through trap-neuter-release but said the registration and inspection process needs clarification. One resident asked whether code could still cite a colony operator for noncompliance; council members said that in principle codes can enforce the ordinance but staff follow-up and communication with CCAT need improvement.
Council members proposed a workshop to review the ordinance and enforcement procedures, tighten reporting or inspection practices, and invite CCAT and code staff to participate. No ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; the council asked staff to schedule further discussion.
