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| 11/23/2007 1:18:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Feral and sterile
City Council legalizes Trap-Neuter-Release programs for cats
KATHRYN EAKENS
Leader Staff
Without human contact, abandoned cats revert to a feral - or undomesticated - state, band together in groups called colonies and begin to reproduce, contributing to feline overpopulation. According the Austin Feral Cats organization, two reproducing feral cats can become 12,000 in just five years.
As a result of a city council vote Thursday, Shadow Cats and Street Cat Rescue - two Round Rock organizations - will now be able to lawfully implement Trap-Neuter-Return programs to help reduce the number of feral cats in the city.
Council members voted unanimously for the Restraint of Animals ordinance - which makes it unlawful for any animal to be at large within the city limits - to provide a defense to prosecution if the animal is a feral cat participating in a Trap-Neuter-Return program approved by the city.
In the increasingly popular alternative to extermination, feral cats are sterilized, vaccinated and returned to their habitat. The cats then resume their regular routine without adding to the population while volunteers continue to care for and monitor the colony.
"We've been doing this quietly for 10 years and now we are really hoping with the blessing of the city this can be something that truly makes a difference in the number of feral cats and shelter intake," Sheila Smith, founder of Shadow Cats, said.
According to a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the majority of the nation's thousands of TNR programs have been in place for only a few years. However, the results of those programs have been positive enough for the association - and several state veterinary associations - to endorse the practice.
"A comprehensive, long-term program of neutering followed by adoption or return to the resident colony can result in reduction of free roaming cat populations in urban areas," the association's website states.
Currently only a change in ordinance, Chief of Police Tim Ryle also gave a presentation to the council on a proposed program where the two organizations will work together with Animal Control to address the city's feral cat population. The program will have several requirements including that colony managers be part of a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization and provide animal control with records detailing colony locations, numbers and records of vaccinations and sterilizations.
"Cats must be microchipped and vaccinated before being returned to their original habitat only after being certified safe by a veterinarian," said Ryle. "Microchipping will provide the hard data to show how the program is affecting the feral cat population."
Also under the proposed program those cats deemed a nuisance by animal control must be moved to the Williamson County Animal Shelter or relocated outside the city limits and cats from other cities may not be relocated into Round Rock. The program is also subject to an annual review by the council.
"Once people see the effects of TNR it seems to change any negative views of feral cats. I have known people who initially hated the idea, later thanking me," Donna Powell, founder of Street Cat Rescue, said. "Male cats quit fighting, mating, roaming and spraying - female cats quit reproducing. Allowing TNR programs will benefit Round Rock and you will see a reduction in shelter cat intake and citizen complaints."
Smith and her husband, Dr. Roy Brenton Smith - veterinarian at the Central Texas Cat Hospital in Round Rock - called the vote and proposed program "unprecedented" and a great representation of the city's progressive leadership.
"We are so fortunate to have Chief Ryle, Animal Control and the city of Round Rock on our side," Dr. Smith said.
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