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Residents ask Darlington council to allow Trap–Neuter–Release pilot to address loose cats
Summary
Residents urged the Darlington Town Council on May 7 to allow a six- to eight-month Trap–Neuter–Release (TNR) pilot to reduce the town's population of loose cats; the council agreed to the trial but cautioned it may revisit the program if problems persist.
On May 7, 2026, residents asked the Darlington Town Council to permit a local group, Cats Unlimited, to run a six- to eight-month Trap–Neuter–Release (TNR) pilot aimed at reducing the number of loose cats damaging private property.
Royce Foster told the council he was concerned about the number of cats running loose and said they were destroying residents' property. Dana McDaniel and other members of Cats Unlimited said they feed some of the animals and are working to control the population through neutering.
The founder of Cats Unlimited explained the TNR approach and asked the council to allow the group time to demonstrate the program's effectiveness. Citizens and the founder raised a recurring concern about what happens if a property owner does not want a cat returned to their property; Cats Unlimited said it would seek barn owners willing to take animals that cannot be returned.
Council President Nicole Parker and other members agreed to allow Cats Unlimited to proceed with the TNR effort as a trial. Council members cautioned that the subject may return to a future agenda if the program does not reduce the population or creates new problems for property owners.
The council did not adopt an ordinance or formal policy during the meeting; the action documented in the minutes was a council decision to permit Cats Unlimited to proceed with a trial and to monitor results. The council said it would revisit the issue if needed at a future meeting.
