Feral cat city bylaw change takes step forward

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/01/2024 (645 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A proposal to officially allow concerned Winnipeggers to trap, neuter and return feral cats is moving forward amid some concern it could threaten wildlife.

On Wednesday, city council’s community services committee approved a plan to alter the responsible pet ownership bylaw to make the practice legal, pending council approval. Such actions are currently prohibited, despite the City of Winnipeg being aware of animal outreach groups openly using the strategy for years.

While cat rescue organizations and the Winnipeg Humane Society applauded the new plan for feral cats (also known as community cats) at the committee meeting, a local biologist asked the city to reject it, warning it could bring unwanted side-effects.

“This is a poor policy for both human health and for our local wildlife. Although trap-neuter-release and caring for feral cat colonies may seem like a logical and reasonable approach to our growing number of feral cats, numerous studies have shown that it fails to actually reduce feral cat populations,” said Paulson Des Brisay, a Winnipeg-based species at risk biologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Des Brisay said some pet owners have abandoned cats at such colonies in the past and officially allowing them may normalize the practice of letting cats roam free outdoors, to the detriment of other animals.

“Feral cats kill billions… of small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians annually. Feral cats are likely the largest single source of human-caused mortality for birds and mammals in North America,” he said.

He listed migrating birds, including some endangered species, as those most at risk due to community cats.

Des Brisay said such cats can also spread disease.

He urged the city to consider other options to control the feral population, such as ramping up adoption efforts for eligible cats. He noted humane euthanasia could be used for unadoptable ones.

The general manager of Winnipeg Animal Services said both stray cats and pets left to roam free outdoors can prey on wildlife, but the bylaw changes would help reduce the risk to other animals and the stray cat population.

“Absolutely, cats outside damage wildlife, so we need to do as many things as we possibly can to reduce those populations. And, by spaying and neutering feral cats and community cats, you have less cats over time in the community,” said Leland Gordon.

Gordon said cat owners should also keep their pets contained when outdoors to further reduce the risk.

He believes Winnipeggers would not support euthanization. “It’s humans’ fault there’s so many cats out there and I don’t think that many people want to euthanize these cats.”

Gordon said the trap-neuter-return method is effective, with managed cat colony populations dwindling over time.

The city proposal would allow officials to authorize a person or rescue organization to engage in the practice, with rules to control the size and cleanliness of shelters and treatment of animals.

Several delegates at the meeting supported the proposed changes.

Lynne Scott, executive director of Craig Street Cats, said trap-neuter-return practices have typically allowed her organization to reduce the cat population by 70 per cent within five years at colonies it manages.

A Winnipeg Humane Society leader said the new strategy should help combat a pet population that exceeds the capacity of local agencies.

“Shelters, rescues all across the city, across Manitoba… are struggling to support the influx of animals that we are seeing… The simple procedure of spay or neuter is a powerful tool to help reduce overpopulation of animals and, in turn, reduce the number of dogs and cats entering shelters,” said chief executive officer Jessica Miller.

Coun. Evan Duncan, chairman of the community services committee, said he believes spay and neutering is the best, most effective option to deal with the problem.

The community services committee also voted to seek potential funding for a future spay and neuter clinic at the Animal Services facility. If council agrees, it will be considered during the 2025 budget process.

A city report estimates a clinic would cost about $90,000 for capital changes and equipment, plus $100,000 per year for operations.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

X: @joyanne_pursaga