Provo city officials have rejected a $1 million offer from Best Friends Animal Society to implement a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program for feral cats. While Best Friends argued that TNR is a humane and effective way to reduce feral cat populations, Provo police expressed concerns about the program's effectiveness and potential negative impacts on local wildlife.
Best Friends offered Provo $1M to run a trap-neuter-return program for feral cats . Police suggested letting the ‘little predators’ starve.
The city of Provo said in a statement that they appreciated Best Friends’ offer and their “patience as we carefully evaluated this issue from multiple perspectives,” but noted that officials have heard from residents on both sides of the issue, as well as experts. Sizemore said the group was also prepared to provide residents with cat deterrents, like smelly herbs or physical barriers, to keep the animals away, and help train the city’s animal control officers in “conflict mitigation” with callers.
For instance, in 2011, when Salt Lake County started its program, 4,864 cats were taken in, according to data from Best Friends. In 2018, that number dropped 16% to 4,073 cats. Karen Luna, left, and Tiffinni Pawlak inject a cat at Best Friends Animal Society in Salt Lake City on Aug. 6, 2024.Provo City Council work sessionBut Provo police weren’t convinced. Captain Brian Wolken presented council members with more information to consider — that other authorities, like the U.S.
Wolken also questioned the efficacy of the programs generally. While there are studies that show they can be successful at reducing cat populations, there are others that show less success. The Police Department instead advocated for amending a city ordinance to prohibit feeding feral cats, alongside restrictions on feeding deer, elk, moose and turkeys.But Sizemore is skeptical that changing the ordinance — “basically criminalizing compassion” — will work. She knows of people who have risked their jobs feeding cats on business properties.She said police resistance to TNR programs isn’t uncommon. It requires a paradigm shift in how they do their jobs.
Feral Cats Trap-Neuter-Return Best Friends Animal Society Provo Utah Animal Control Wildlife
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