Spay/Neuter Ordinance Being Considered in Mansfield, PA - National Humane Education Society
Paws Up!
September 26, 2020
To the Public Safety Committee in Mansfield, PA, for considering an ordinance that will help control the population of stray cats in the borough.
Trap, neuter, return (TNR) programs are slowly being recognized throughout the United States as an effective way to humanely reduce stray cat populations. In 1992, a study took place at the start of a TNR program in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The cat colony consisted of about three hundred cats. As the trapping started, the caretakers realized that many of the cats were friendly. They fostered these cats until they found homes for them. The others were released after their spay or neuter surgery and cared for until the end of their lives. The colony steadily dwindled until 2009, when Zorro, the lone inhabitant of the colony, passed away. In 2007, another TNR program was monitored in Chicago, Illinois. The results found a 50% reduction in their cat populations. These two independent studies show the efficacy of TNR.
Stray cats are everywhere, and populations can explode if left unattended. At the beginning of the summer, local lawmakers in Indiana, PA, voted in favor of TNR to control their community cat population. According to a recent news article, the borough of Mansfield, Pennsylvania, is considering an ordinance to mandate TNR by colony caretakers. In addition, residents who have outdoor cats will be required to have them spayed or neutered along with a rabies vaccination. Any violators may face a fine up to $300, 90-day jail time, or both. If you reside in Mansfield and agree with TNR, please contact The Borough of Mansfield to show your support before their next meeting on October 14, 2020.
It takes a community to enact change. Will you be a part of the humane efforts to decrease animal homelessness? Please remember to spay or neuter your pets!
To learn more about TNR, please download our free brochure here.
Take Action: You can make a difference in the life of a homeless cat. Consider adopting your next companion from your local animal shelter or rescue.
