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Residents urge stricter protections and expanded TNR services after Home Depot trapping incident
Summary
Two residents told council about cats trapped and relocated from a Home Depot property, urging stricter local ordinances to protect feral cat colonies, expanded trap‑neuter‑return services, and better coordination with animal control.
Two members of the public urged the North Charleston City Council to strengthen protections for community cat colonies and expand trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) services after a recent incident at the Home Depot at 7554 Northwoods Boulevard.
Laurie Reid, a member of Lowcountry TNR and Feral Cat Network, said private trappers contracted by the store removed and relocated cats some volunteers had been managing and that at least one cat known as "Goldie" had been a community resident for about five years. Reid said volunteers had tried to deescalate the situation and had spoken with Animal Control Officer supervisor Carrie Stout to discuss the issue.
"We have intentionally tried to stay in communication and allow Home Depot corporate the time and space to demonstrate that the appropriate steps were taken," Reid said. She asked the council to continue the conversation and to consider protections for caregivers who manage colonies.
Maggie Kloninger, a resident who said she has appeared on local TV coverage of the matter, asked the council for "more strict local ordinances to protect these feral cat colonies along with the caregivers that do work with them, and providing more TNR services." Kloninger cited studies showing long‑term reductions in colony sizes where TNR programs are used, including a multi‑year case example from Foster City, California.
Both speakers framed their comments as requests for collaboration with city staff rather than requests for direct funding; Kloninger said volunteers are not asking for money but for legal protections and expanded services.
The council record shows acknowledgement of the comments; there was no formal council action recorded at the meeting to change ordinances or animal‑control policy.
