Community Cats are in the Spotlight in Baltimore County, MD - National Humane Education Society

October 28, 2021

Paws Up!

To the Baltimore County Council for introducing an ordinance to humanely control feral cat populations through trap, neuter, and return.

Whether you call the city or the suburbs your home, you likely have encountered a stray cat. This solitary cat will not be alone for long when a constant source of food and water is present. Stray cats proliferate at alarming rates when left unchecked. Animal shelters and rescues continually receive calls from caring individuals to take in stray cats and kittens. When the felines are friendly or young enough to be tamed, they have a better chance of finding a home once at the shelter or rescue. If they are too old and wary of people, they have difficulty finding homes. These cats may live most of their lives at the animal shelter if it is a no-kill facility. Sadly, if the facility is not a no-kill one, these cats are at risk of being euthanized to make room for more adoptable ones.

To help keep stray cat populations from exploding, communities are adopting the practice of trap, neuter, return (TNR) or trap, neuter, vaccinate, return (TNVR). This process helps humanely decrease cat populations. Cats are trapped by compassionate individuals who have chosen to become caretakers of these homeless felines. Once trapped, they are spayed or neutered (their ear is tipped to indicate they have had the surgery), vaccinated, and then returned to their original location if it is safe.

According to a news article, lawmakers in Baltimore County, Maryland, are supporting efforts to humanely control feral cat populations with the introduction of Bill No. 86-21, known as the Joy Freedman Care for Cats Act. This bill seeks to put a trap, neuter, return program in place and provide directions for individuals taking on the responsibility of caring for feral cats within a community. Currently, a pilot TNR program is underway in Baltimore County. Others have been implemented in Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and the city of Baltimore. Thankfully, more and more communities are recognizing the efficacy of TNR and supporting efforts to help community cats. Laws supporting TNR/TNVR programs are an important step in showing communities how to work together to make a positive difference for feral cats. In October 2018, Delaware became the first state to pass a law supporting spaying and neutering feral cats and protecting their caretakers.

Take Action: Baltimore County residents, please show your support for the Joy Freedman Care for Cats Act by contacting your representative today!