Politics & Government
Trap-Neuter-Release Program Passed By City Council
In the last meeting before summer break, had a long list of items on the agenda; pit bull and charter proposals tabled.
Lakewood's feral cat population is growing.
Hoping to reverse the trend, passed a aimed at reducing the number feral animals living in the city.
To reduce the stray cat population, council introduced plans in June that would trap them in a colony, neuter and release them back into their territory.
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Although dogs were added to the legislation, they will still be covered under the existing dogs-at-large ordinance, said Kevin Butler, the city's law director.
The Lakewood Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board — the citizen-led panel that reviews safety and welfare issues related to animals in the city — worked with council to define the guidelines of a program.
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LASWAB also secured a $10,000 PetSmart Charities Grant to pay for the pilot initiative.
The hope, council members said, is to stabilize the size of the colony by eliminating new litters.
"I wish to reiterate what has been stated in many ways on many occasions, Lakewood seems to always have a group of dedicated citizens at the ready to help create and implement recommendations that solve any number of issues," said Ward 1 councilman David Anderson.
“This has been the case in the need to control feral cat population growth in certain Lakewood neighborhoods.”
In its last regular meeting before summer break, council had several other items on its agenda:
- Former mayor and current county executive attended the meeting and was commending him for his service to the city.
- Council passed a measure that between Sloane Avenue and the Rocky River a Community Reinvestment Area, which could be used as an economic development tool to lure developers with tax abatements.
- Other agenda items were put on hold, including a proposal that would present eight changes to the city's to voters and another measure that would clarify the language in the .
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