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Committee debates definition of 'feral cat colony,' proposes 5-acre minimum
Summary
The committee reviewed a redlined animals-and-fowl ordinance replacing 'free roaming' language with 'feral cat colony' and discussed a proposed 5-acre minimum lot-size that would effectively prohibit colonies inside most city lots. Members flagged public confusion about the term and suggested wording adjustments.
The committee reviewed a draft revision to the animals-and-fowl ordinance that replaces prior "free roaming" language with a defined term "feral cat colony." Staff member (S2) said she added a definition intended to capture groups of free-roaming cats that congregate as a unit and explained why she selected the term.
"The major thing is that it doesn't allow a colony on anything less than 5 acres," S2 said, presenting a proposed 5-acre minimum to the committee; members noted that threshold would remove most colonies in city limits and described the proposal as a "conversation starter." Committee members worried the word "feral" might confuse caretakers or volunteers; S2 said the draft also contains a definition of "free roaming" to reduce that confusion and offered to adjust phrasing to use "free roaming cat colony" if the group prefers.
Discussion addressed practical distinctions between stray pet cats and colony animals, and the committee asked staff to reword the definition to make the policy clearer to the public. No formal vote occurred; staff was asked to incorporate drafting edits and to bring the revised language back for committee review in December.
