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City Plans Feral Cat Ordinance

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Mountain View City Council agreed to create an ordinance establishing a program for trapping, spaying or neutering, and returning feral cats to their colony.

A euthanasia clause was added to be used only in emergency situations when recommended by a licensed vet.

Tina Holmlund from the Stone County Humane Society spoke to the council about the importance of not only releasing the cats after they are fixed, but returning them to the same area from where they were captured. She explained grants are available, but the cats must be returned to their original location and cannot be euthanized. She noted there would be no problem with euthanizing very sick or injured cats, and she explained Dr. Nixon is willing to work with the humane society and city on fixing feral cats.

Councilman Dana Woods said the council’s plan had always included returning the cats. Councilman JK Williams said the reason why the council had previously discussed a euthanasia clause was because residents don’t want the feral cats returned to their property.

Holmlund went on to explain that the cats don’t need to stay in the trap for over 12 hours and then can’t be released until after 12 hours after neutered or spayed. She said when returning the cats it really reduces the cat problem and they will only live for about two years. She also stressed the importance of letting people know when trapping is taking place and that a holding period of trapped cats wouldn’t be required. The cats’ ears will be notched once they are spayed and neutered.

Janice Cavender also spoke of the need to educate the public on the feral cat problem and why the city is taking action.

Debby Fischer from Rosco P. Coal Train Community Outreach also addressed the council concerning the feral cat problem. She explained “cats have a purpose” and without cats, there will be rat, mice, and snake problems. She said she could help with transporting cats to other shelters, and said that trapping and returning the cats would solve the problem. She said another city recently spent $40,000 because they euthanized someone’s cat.

The council unanimously agreed to creating the cat ordinance and encouraged Holmlund to begin the grant writing process.

See the full story in the June 21, 2017 issue.

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