2472-16 TNR Amended.pdf

9 Legislative History This is new Legislation and an amendment to the Revised General Ordinances of the Township, specifically to the section on Animals, Chapter X, establishing a pilot program to control the Township’s feral cat population through a trap, neuter and return program subject to regular and at least annual review. This Ordinance contemplates minimal to no added cost to the animal control function of the Health Department and will be principally performed by one or more not for profit entities, operating as an Animal Welfare Organization(s), which, along with the Caretakers working as volunteers on their behalf, shall be exempt from the usual municipal regulatory requirements for cats, including the prohibition against feeding wild animals. The intent of the Ordinance is to permit these Organizations and their volunteer workers to manage feral cat colonies in a manner which will promote sterilization and vaccination of feral cats, thereby reducing their overall population and the spread of dangerous disease. The program is to operate in a manner which will be humane for the cats, avoid nuisance to the Township’s residents and produce reliable records to assist the governing body in determining the effectiveness of the program and whether or not it should be modified, or continued at all.