In Cypress County a trap-fix-release program is in place to address the significant populations of feral and stray cats, however no such program exists in Medicine Hat due to the existing Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw, which prohibits the release of animals within city limits.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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The potential introduction of a trap-fix-release (TNR) program in Medicine Hat stalled again Monday evening as city councillors sent the issue back to committee for further study.
Since last spring, the city has been working to introduce amendments to its Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw that would allow for a TNR program to operate – something local animal welfare advocates say is urgently needed to address overpopulation of feral cats.
Despite community support for the program however, councillors were divided on the issue, with some raising inquiries about the scope of the potential program, as well as its intended effect.
“I just absolutely cannot grapple with the idea that to control feral cats we’re going to amend a bylaw that allows for them to be trapped in the first place. Secondly, spayed or neutered, which makes sense … But then we’re going to release them into the wild and hope for the best,” said Coun. Robert Dumanowski.
“For me, the whole idea of doing that amounts to another form of animal cruelty, quite frankly … In my mind, this is counter-intuitive to how we’re going to control animal populations and it goes against my conscience.”
City managing director Brian Stauth explained the decision to consider the program was informed by studies that prove its effectiveness in controlling feral cat populations.
Coun. Ramona Robins highlighted that local animal rescue organizations also supported the initiative.
“I hear what Coun. Dumanowski is saying, and I certainly respect his thoughts about it,” said Robins. “But I’m comforted that it was a request from local humane societies for us to consider this as a city … and that there was engagement there with SPCA, APARC, bylaw enforcement and Persian Dreams and Canine Themes Rescue Society about all of this, and they unanimously supported it. Those are the people doing this work on a daily basis, so I defer to their expertise and understanding of the problem that exists.
“I also have some comfort in that, not only are the cats neutered or spayed, they’re also vaccinated, which (leaves them) better off than they were before that took place, and certainly better off than they would be euthanized.”
Despite a lengthy discussion about the program, councillors remained divided.
To complicate the matter, councillors were not only considering amendments to the bylaw which would allow for a TNR program, but also proposed changes to the process for designating off-leash dog areas in the city.
Council ultimately chose to send the two-issue proposed bylaw amendments back to committee for further study.
Present at the council meeting was SPCA board vice-president and vocal proponent of TNR Linda Tooth. Tooth says she is disappointed the amendments did not move forward and is frustrated with the city’s lack of urgency in addressing the matter, especially as breeding season has already begun.
“I’m very disappointed,” Tooth said Tuesday afternoon. “We’ve got kittens. Our capacity is full already … So, we need to move on this.”
After listening in on Monday’s council meeting, Tooth fears not all councillors are aware of the extent of the city’s feral overpopulation issue, nor versed in what a TNR program is.
“With a TNR program, we trap (feral cats) humanely, we spay or neuter them and then, if they are too feral so they can’t be adopted into a home or a Barn Buddies program, we release them back into the environment that they know,” said Tooth, explaining that the younger a cat is when trapped, the better their chances of going up for adoption, rather than being released.
Tooth confirmed she has been invited to deliver a presentation to the public services committee, which is now tasked with providing council additional information before resubmitting the amendments.
While APARC general manager Steven Wolf is appreciative of the city’s efforts to amend the existing bylaw, he too hopes they will be put into place sooner rather than later.
“Any studies that I’ve read say it would take probably at least five years to actually show a large difference in (population count),” said Wolf. “But I think it’d be beneficial (because) it will help with the population, but it will also help with the cat’s health.”
