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Committee hears proposal to require sterilization of free-roaming cats; refers the section for expert review
Summary
A proposed new section would require sterilization of cats that roam freely or impose fines after a 60-day cure period; members raised enforcement, breeding and hoarding concerns and voted to send the proposal and the cat sections to the Animal Control Board and clerk for research and recommendations.
Committee members debated a proposal to add a new section that would require any person harboring a cat that roams freely to ensure the animal is sterilized or face a fee after a 60-day compliance period. The chair read the draft provision: “No person harboring a cat shall allow it to free roam if the cat is not sterilized,” and described a 60-day window to provide proof before fines would be imposed.
Members raised practical questions about enforcement, exceptions for breeding and pedigree animals, hoarding situations and zoning/kennel rules. Several members recommended the proposal be turned over to the Animal Control Board and that the city clerk collect sample ordinances from other municipalities before the committee adopts any mandatory sterilization rule. The committee voted to refer the cat sections to the Animal Control Board and asked the clerk to pull language from other communities; the clerk and Animal Control Board will prepare recommendations for a future meeting.
