Sea Bright, MCSPCA team up for feral cat control

SEA BRIGHT — Mayor Maria Fernandes and the Borough Council are considering entering into a partnership with the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA) to solve the borough’s feral cat overpopulation problem.

MCSPCA representatives gave a presentation proposing the borough implement a trapneuter return (TNR) program during the April 20 meeting.

Kathy Schatzman, humane educator at the MCSPCA, explained that throughout the country, municipalities and animal control units are moving toward TNR as a solution to control feral cat populations.

“TNR is more effective, less expensive and more humane than euthanasia,’ said Schatzman. “We do not want to euthanize. TNR is also better for public health,”

Schatzman explained that the initiative would work by assigning all feral cats in the borough to a specific caregiver, or “colony manager.” Next, every cat in every colony would be trapped and the MCSPCA would then neuter and vaccinate all cats. All kittens and friendly cats would be adopted, immediately reducing the number of roaming cats in the borough.

Councilwoman Dina Long clarified that the neutered and vaccinated ferals would then be micro-chipped and ear-tipped and then returned to their colony manager, who Schatzman said would monitor and provide them with controlled feedings.

Councilman James LoBiondo expressed his concern over the ear-tipping procedure (straight-line cutting of the tip of the left ear) hurting the cats.

“We wouldn’t do it if it would hurt them,” said MCSPCA’s newly appointed cat management specialist, Francesca Alexander. “The cats are ear-tipped while they’re under anesthesia, so they feel no pain. Afterwards, they’re given an antibiotic and tested for feline leukemia and AIDS and then they’re microchipped.

Schatzman said managers are also responsible for trapping any newcomers and for the thorough collection and subsequent submission of colony data twice weekly to the Department of Health.

The program would be paid for by grants, private funds and volunteer efforts, with no direct cost to the borough, Schatzman said.

Schatzman said the program works because it educates the entire community and enlists their involvement.

“If TNR is implemented, it will reduce feral cat population, reduce animal control costs, reduce nuisance calls, improve public health measures, lower euthanasia rate and educate the public, allowing for community involvement and camaraderie,” Schatzman said.

According to Schatzman, feral cats cannot be adopted and there are not enough barns or other suitable settings for the cats to be relocated to.

Schatzman cautioned against causing a “vacuum effect,” whereby removing all the ferals could lead to an overpopulation of vermin or even an entirely new feral cat population moving into the area. She also said that feeding bans are not the answer.

“Feeding bans don’t work, as people come to feed the cats anyway and there is no proper way to enforce it,” Schatzman said. “Unfed cats are bolder and sicker—theywill find accidental food sources.”

Alexander said the MCSPCA hopes to have all of the borough’s feral cats processed within a few weeks of the council passing the required ordinance.

“Our vet can handle 40-50 cats each week,” said Alexander. “The recoup process takes about seven days, so [the time frame is] up to our volunteers and how many cats they can accommodate. I think people will come out of the woodwork.”

Long explained the necessary elements that need to be included in an ordinance for TNR to be implemented.

“Owned cats would have to be neutered,” said Long. “Unaltered cats must be kept indoors.”

Additionally, the ordinance must specify the MCSPCA as the program’s sponsor.

MCSPCA Executive Director Laurie Garrison said she hopes to make New Jersey a “no kill” state.

“We’re right at the beginning of kitten season. We hope to implement our program here, then everywhere. We hope Sea Bright will be a model for us,” said Garrison.

According to Garrison, 37,000 cats were euthanized last year in New Jersey, and 1,500 of those cats were in Monmouth County.

“The plan is to not have feral cats around forever,” Garrison said. “In five to seven years with TNR, education and natural attrition, we hope there’s no more feral cats.”

TNR is accepted and endorsed by the state Department of Health and Senior Services among other recognized organizations, including the National Animal Control Association and the Governor’s Task Force on Animal Welfare.

Schatzman recommends that Sea Bright adopt a “community cats” initiative, where the MCSPCA would act as a sponsor or “oversight entity.”

“We recommend creating an ordinance that would authorize TNR and set certain guidelines,” Schatzman said.

Fernandes said the borough could model its ordinance after an existing ordinance in effect in Point Pleasant. She added that she hopes to have an ordinance ready for introduction by the Borough Council’s May 18 meeting.