Fayetteville authorizes new program for cats

Fayetteville’s city government is following Fayette County’s lead by implementing a new policy to help community cats. The City Council adopted an ordinance at its July 2 meeting that will allow approved individuals and organizations to conduct trap-neuter-vaccinate-return programs aimed at reducing the number of homeless cats.

City Manager Ray Gibson said the city’s TNVR provisions are modeled after the county’s recently adopted language. Permits valid for two years will be issued by the Fayette County Animal Control office, with statistics on the number of cats humanely trapped, neutered and vaccinated for rabies and distemper being reported annually. Gibson said the program will not only reduce the stray cat population but will also lower the time and expense of animal control operations and result in fewer cats being killed at the shelter.

Veterinary expenses will be paid by the nonprofits conducting the trapping.