Several residents brought the issue of nuisance cat feeding back before the Aledo City Council on Monday night.
In total, four people spoke in opposition to the council’s decision last month to reject a proposed 90-day moratorium on enforcement of the city’s nuisance-feeding ordinance by a four-to-three vote.
The measure would have temporarily paused citations, fines and warning for residents feeding feral cats, provided they followed clean feeding practices. The moratorium was intended to give residents and animal welfare advocates additional time to explore a local Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program, which would involve humanely trapping feral cats, having them spayed or neutered, and then returning them to their environment.
Quad City Animal Welfare Center Cat Care Manager Amber Simmon spoke in support of a TNR program.
Aledo Mayor Chris Hagloch spoke with WRMJ following the meeting.
According to the resolution that was voted down, establishing a local TNR program would require coordination with Mercer County.