Kaylee Getz (left), a veterinarian tech with the Medicine Hat SPCA, discusses her group's support for a "trap, neuter, release" program to control the stray cat population in the city while SPCA board president Jacqui Pederson looks on at Tuesday night's council meeting.--News Photo Collin Gallant
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
Trapping, fixing and then releasing cats provides a non-lethal route to control the stray cat population, humane society officials told city councillors Tuesday as they contemplate allowing the practice in Medicine Hat.
That came after council defeated a bylaw to allow the program but a decision won’t be made until the city studies other options, including more frequent euthanization.
Last month, councillors said they didn’t fully understand the potential benefits or drawbacks of the program, and last week, the public service committee voted to invite the officials back to council for discussion.
“It’s absolutely contentious, and that’s why we need to consider it carefully,” said Coun. Darren Hirsch, who asked about general euthanization policies, saying the community is likely evenly split on the idea, but so far, only a pro-TNR argument has been outlined.
“One of the reasons we provided these presentations, is so that staff can come back with a balanced briefing note on the issue,” said city manager Ann Mitchell.
It could be re-introduced later this month after council members defeated changes in the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw proposed in June that would allow the program – which places animals back in the community once sterilized – to go forward.
Officials from SPCA and APARC, which provides pound services to the city, said “TNR” essentially prevents breeding, cuts down on complaints and will over time free up stress on local animal shelters.
“There is a growing population and we have to think of something different, because it is only getting worse,” said Kaylee Getz, animal health head at the Medicine Hat SPCA.
She calculates that as many as 4,200 feral cats are in the Medicine Hat area, and said one female can produce up to 157 kittens during its breeding life.
“It’s a growing issue that’s not going to go away.”
Without it, the agencies need to consider putting more animals down, providing food to the ownerless animals in the community, or actively chasing them out of the area.
A “TNR” program controls breeding, she said, improves the general health of population (animals would also receive vaccinations), reduces stress on animals and curbs noise complaints from humans as cats don’t go into heat or compete to breed.
“There is typically a reduction in bylaw complaints, because a lot of bad behaviours decrease,” said Getz.
Coun. Andy McGrogan said he has heard a “50-50” split from the community for and against the program.
Coun. Shila Sharps said she wants a full discussion because she has heard the argument that it is inhumane to release animals.
“It would be more inhumane to trap and maintain a kennel space for a feral cats,” said Stephen Wolfe, of APARC, whose organization does have a “barn buddies” program for rural property owners to adopt a cat for pest control for $25.
It typically takes about eight months for an animal to be placed due to low demand, he said.
“They are the lowest priority,” he said.
The SPCA is a “no-kill” shelter, and APARC, which provides pound service to the city under contract, operates under guidelines defined by the city.
“Euthanasia is a last resort, and is only considered when the animal is (dangerous) or there is a health issue,” said APARC general manager Stephen Wolf.
APARC announced on social media Tuesday that due to high capacity and unvaccinated animals they would be closed to the public until mid-July and offer services by appointment only.
Officials also described differences between feral cats – typically avoid humans, can form colonies and are not suitable for adoption – and community cats, which are often provided food by residents and can become socialized.
“In an urban setting, community cat is a more appropriate term,” said Getz, who also outlined how the program would operate.
Twice a year, there would be a sweep targeting of an area and attempting to collect at least 75 per cent of cats in one area over several days, with residents warned to keep animals inside.
Friendly kittens and adolescents cats would be transferred to other shelters for adoption, while adult cats would be fixed, vaccinated, microchipped and returned to the same neighbourhood after several days of recovery.
Several years ago, a sweep in Cypress County resulted in 175 cats collected and 75 kittens adopted.
Current wording in the bylaw states it is an offence to allow a stray animal to be at large, essentially making the “release” aspect a bylaw offence.
