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Council approves contract with Lucy's Pet Pantry for trap‑neuter‑return services
Summary
Newton City Council adopted a resolution contracting with Lucy's Pet Pantry to provide trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) services; the provider offered to supply quarterly updates and reported heavy demand in certain neighborhoods.
The Newton City Council voted May 18 to authorize an agreement with Lucy's Pet Pantry to provide trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) services intended to reduce the city's stray and community cat population.
Chair (speaker 2) introduced the resolution and staff recommended contracting with Lucy's Pet Pantry. Terry McKinney (speaker 13), representing Lucy's Pet Pantry, said the group can provide quarterly updates and described recent demand: "Just in 2 weeks time from the last council meeting, we had have 76 phone calls in regards to stray cats in neighborhoods." McKinney said the organization can prioritize areas with heavy call volume and expects some crews may complete the initial 100‑cat target within a quarter.
Council members asked for reporting to ensure transparency and to quantify the scale of the problem; one council member said aggregated counts would help show that the problem exceeds the initial targets. The council adopted the resolution on roll call.
The resolution authorizes staff to finalize an agreement and proceed with TNR services; staff and the provider will coordinate on service areas and periodic reports to council.
