PRESENTER: Presenter
Bryan V. Ruiz, Neighborhood Services Manager
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SUBJECT: Title
Presentation and discussion of the current feral cat colony ordinance, along with consideration of potentially amending the current ordinance.
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DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood & Community Planning
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The current Feral Cat Colony ordinance was adopted in 2014 and provided a framework to allow Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) within the city. As the city has grown in population over the past 12 years the TNR program has not seen any amendments.
ISSUE:
Changes in the community since the adoption of the TNR ordinance indicates there may be a need to update and clarify expectations for city staff, TNR program coordinators, and the public. This includes more precisely defining the roles and responsibilities of each participating group, and establishing additional guidelines for where TNR programs may be located. Over time, multiple organizations have administered the TNR program, with the Humane Society currently serving as the managing entity.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
Organizational Excellence: An updated TNR ordinance enhances Organizational Excellence by using data to guide resource allocation and reduce repeat service calls. It also strengthens interagency teamwork, improving coordination and delivering more efficient, high-quality services to residents.
Community Well-Being: An updated TNR ordinance will enhance Community Well-Being by reducing free roaming cat population, minimizing nuisance behaviors, and improving public health through required sterilization and rabies vaccination. Additionally, by providing structured, humane management of community cats, supports safer neighborhoods and improves overall quality of life for residents.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REFERENCE:
Envision New Braunfels supports improving Animal Welfare by encouraging proactive partnerships with nonprofit organizations that advance community wellbeing. These principles shape updates to the city’s animal ordinances, including policies that formally recognize and support humane Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) practices for managing community cats.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends either conducting a community survey on the current TNR ordinance, or reviewing benchmark city ordinances and preparing a draft ordinance for consideration at the next meeting, followed by public input opportunities for our residents.