Spay and neuter ordinance could help Tuscaloosa solve feral cat problem

Posted: Jul 18, 2013 5:07 PM CDTUpdated: Jul 18, 2013 5:07 PM CDT 
By Kelvin Reynolds - bio | email

TUSCALOOSA, AL (WBRC) -One Tuscaloosa vet says as many as 6,000 feral cats make their home in Tuscaloosa, many of them living downtown where there's food and water.

In a month, the city could craft an ordinance allowing folks to come in and spay and neuter stray cats.

City attorneys are putting together a trap, neuter and return ordinance. It would allow people to come trap the cats, spay and neuter them and return them to the area where they found them without becoming their owner.

Feral cats cause all kinds of problems from being noisy, over-breeding and sometimes damaging property.

T-SNIP, which is short for Tuscaloosa Spay and Neuter Incentive Program, would coordinate efforts to help caretakers find the feral cats and make sure they're also fed and get their shots.

This new city ordinance allows folks to feed and take care of these cats without legally owning them. The city council's public safety committee will take this up next month.

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