Published May 31, 2023 8:44 p.m. ET
The movement said this can result in a boost in the cat population and have negative effect on homeowners and other wildlife. (File image)
Animal well-being supporters are searching for more freedom to help deal with the feral and roaming cat population in Winnipeg.
A movement for modifications to the family pet by-law was on the table at City Hall Wednesday as part of a push to get out-of-control cat numbers in the city under control.
“It’s a huge issue with stray and feral cats,” said Shannon Nicole Towers, an animal well-being supporter.
A movement from Councillor Vivian Santos said lots of roaming and feral cats wandering in areas are not made sterile and sterilized. The movement said this can result in a boost in the cat population and have negative effect on homeowners and other wildlife.
“These include noise from male cats, cats fighting over territory or mates, urine marking,” said Towers.
Right now the city does not allow residents to shelter these animals, commonly known as “community cats.”
Advocates say there should be changes to the pet ownership by-law to allow for this so they can get the cats spayed or neutered and then released.
“Personally, I’ve been doing the work even without the blessing of the city in residential areas,” said Claudia Allen with Winnipeg Lost Cat Alert.
The city’s social work committee voted to have the animal services department return with a report on alternatives in 6 months.
“We could come back and say no changes needed, we can come back and say if people want to set up a couple dog houses in the back yard to house feral cats, but they’re going to (have to) do this TNR (trap-neuter-return) stuff, spay and neuter these cats and take care of them,” said Leland Gordon with Animal Services.
Committee chair John Orlikow raised issues about what might take place if somebody was allowed the choice of housing the neighborhood cats in a yard.
“The area might not more than happy about that so once again I hope you’ll deal with that in the report too,” said Orlikow.
The committee likewise requested for the report to include what a city ran stand alone spay and sterilize center would cost.
“That’s one of our dreams long term, that would really help knock down the pet population,” said Gordon.
“Personally, I’ve been doing the work even without the true blessing of the city in houses,” said Claudia Allen with Winnipeg Lost Cat Alert.
The city’s social work committee voted to have the animal services department return with a report on alternatives in 6 months.
“We might return and state no modifications required, we can return and state if individuals wish to establish a couple dog homes in the garden to house feral cats, however they’re going to (need to) do this TNR (trap-neuter-return) things, spay and sterilize these cats and look after them,” said Leland Gordon with Animal Services.
Committee chair John Orlikow raised issues about what might take place if somebody was allowed the choice of housing the neighborhood cats in a yard.
"The area might not more than happy about that so once again I hope you’ll address that in the report too,” said Orlikow.
The committee likewise requested for the report to include what a city ran stand alone spay and sterilize center would cost.
“That’s among our dreams long term, that would actually help tear down the family pet population,” said Gordon.
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