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Residents and animal‑welfare groups urge East Brunswick to adopt modern TNR ordinance
Summary
Dozens of residents and regional rescue groups packed the June 10 council meeting to press the township to adopt a trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) ordinance, arguing current animal‑control codes are outdated, hinder volunteer efforts and leave public health and nuisance problems unaddressed. The council pledged to meet with organizers but took no vote.
Dozens of residents and animal‑welfare advocates filled the East Brunswick council chamber on June 10 to urge the township to adopt a modern trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) ordinance that they say would reduce feral‑cat litters, unlock grant funding and protect volunteers who help community cats.
"I founded East Brunswick TNR and Rescue in 2022 to address a problem that you all seem to be ignoring every day," said Jessica Laurier, who spoke on behalf of the group's coordinator, citing hundreds of weekly requests for assistance. "Doing nothing is not an option — we need codes that don't leave residents living in fear."
Several speakers described hands‑on results after TNR interventions. Resident Alan Margosian said coordinated neutering stopped local litters near his home: "We haven't seen a litter of kittens in several years — that's because the cats we have seen have all been spayed or neutered." Denise Morgan, a regional TNR volunteer, summarized broader outcomes: "TNR is the only humane solution — it's reduced kittens and nuisance behavior in towns that have adopted it."
Regional advocates urged the township to update ordinances rather than rely on volunteers alone. Brian Hackett of Associated Humane Societies told the council the requested changes "are not asking for any money from the town; they would actually afford you tens of thousands of dollars in grant funding" by aligning local code with national best practices.
Speakers repeatedly asked that municipal animal‑control rules include feeding guidelines, a nuisance‑abatement process and legal recognition for colony caretakers so volunteers are not treated as violators. Several presenters said volunteers currently shoulder care and transport burdens to neighboring veterinary providers and shelters.
Council did not vote on a TNR ordinance. After the public comments, the council indicated it would meet with the mayor, business administrator and township attorney to discuss the request and follow up with the lead organizers; the public‑comment session was recessed to allow foyer attendees to return. No formal action or timetable for drafting an ordinance was announced at the meeting.
The comments illustrated both broad local volunteer engagement and frustration with current municipal policy. Speakers urged the council to consider model ordinances circulated to the township and to pursue grant opportunities they said would offset municipal expense if the code were modernized.
What happens next: Council members said they would meet with TNR organizers and township staff and return with options. Residents said they will continue to attend council meetings until they see a change in local code.
