The city of Byrnes Mill is considering an ordinance to regulate the population of feral cats by requiring people who provide shelter, food and water to feral cat colonies to register with the city.
The ordinance would define the roles and responsibilities of those who offer food, water and shelter to feral cat colonies.
According to a draft of the ordinance, a caregiver would register the colony with the city, as well as take steps to get the feral cats vaccinated and spayed or neutered. The ordinance would also require that left ears of cats are tipped with information that identifies that they belong to a particular colony and are vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
A feral cat colony sponsor would be responsible for reviewing and approving feral cat caregivers; for resolving any complaints over the behavior of a caregiver or cats within the colony; and maintaining records from caregivers on the size and location of the colonies by ZIP code along with vaccination and spay and neuter records.
Sponsors must also provide written educational training for caregivers for colony maintenance and report annually on the status of feral cat colonies.
To enforce the proposed ordinance, the city could seize or remove cats from a colony that have not been vaccinated against rabies or are creating a nuisance or if when the caretaker fails to comply with requirements and has not found a substitute within 15 days of notice.
The Byrnes Mill Board of Alderpersons has long debated the topic of feral cats. City officials said a feral cat colony previously was spotted near Hood’s Discount Home Center, 4401 Hwy. 30.
Mayor Rob Kiczenksi said the city is still working out details of the ordinance, including the caregiver nomination and enforcement process. He said the city plans to use language from other municipal feral cat ordinances in the county, including one from De Soto.
Feral cat laws recently stirred up some controversy in Jefferson County. In July, a Festus ordinance outlawed the feeding of feral cats. That ordinance was later amended to include details about a trap, neuter and return policy.
The Byrnes Mill Board of Alderpersons will discuss the issue at its next meeting set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Byrnes Mill City Hall, 141 Osage Executive Circle.
Kiczenski said he hopes to hold a vote on the ordinance by next year.