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Essex County approves $200,000 expansion of spay/neuter (TNR) program
Summary
The Board of Commissioners approved a professional-services agreement not to exceed $200,000 to expand county trap-neuter-return and vaccination services, with providers including Wildflowers TNR. County staff said last year’s 1,127 services likely prevented roughly 6,700 births of feral cats.
Essex County commissioners voted to expand the county’s trap–neuter–return (TNR) and feline vaccination program, approving a professional-services package not to exceed $200,000 to contract with three providers, including Wildflowers TNR.
The program expansion was introduced by county staff and described in detail by Jennifer Chakey, founder of Wildflowers TNR. “I’m Jennifer Chakey from Montclair. I’ve been doing TNR for 6 years in Essex County,” Chakey told the board, describing monthly mobile‑veterinary clinic totals (34 cats in January, 39 in February) and plans to scale to twice‑monthly clinics as capacity grows.
Mister Jackson, presenting the item for the county, highlighted program growth and outcomes, saying the county performed 1,127 spay/neuter/vaccination services last year and estimated that work prevented “the birth of almost more than 6,700 feral cats” in the community. Commissioners praised the program’s scale and the expanded budget, and several noted interest from municipalities that want to participate.
Commissioner Mercado moved the contract and Commissioner Murray Thomas seconded. The board approved the contract by roll call.
Why this matters: County officials said the expanded funding will increase available surgery appointments, broaden mobile‑clinic coverage and reduce future feral‑cat populations and related public‑health and nuisance complaints. Wildflowers TNR said additional clinic dates and mobile capacity would allow larger sessions (one mobile team can do records up to 48 cats in a day at peak output).
The board recorded no amendments to the contract; staff said the three providers named in the package are Associated Humane Society, CPAL New Jersey and Wildflowers TNR. The contract will be brought back for final signatures and administrative processing before vendor work begins.
