The Pacific Board of Aldermen recently took action to address the escalating issue of feral and stray cats within the city limits. Prompted by concerns raised by a dedicated volunteer, the board voted to allocate funds towards managing the growing population of free-roaming felines.
Gina Breadon, a Pacific resident actively involved in addressing the city’s cat overpopulation, emphasized the urgency of the situation. With the unchecked growth of the feral cat population, Breadon expressed concerns about the potential necessity of euthanizing younger and more sociable cats, a measure she described as a last resort. However, she stressed that euthanasia is not the desired solution and highlighted the need for more effective long-term strategies.
To tackle the issue at hand, the city agreed to allocate $1,500 per month towards trap-neuter-release (TNR) efforts aimed at managing the local cat population. Breadon, who has been instrumental in coordinating the city’s response to the cat problem, is in the process of registering her organization as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity with the state. Once approved, the organization will be eligible to receive funding from Pacific to support its TNR initiatives.
Pacific has grappled with a significant cat population for several years, but recent challenges have exacerbated the situation. Breadon highlighted the difficulties in securing veterinary services for spaying and neutering procedures, with local veterinarians facing high demand and limited availability. Additionally, rising costs for these procedures have posed financial challenges for Breadon’s organization, making it increasingly difficult to sustain their efforts.
Despite ongoing efforts to find alternative housing for unsocialized feral cats, Breadon explained that options are limited, with many farms unwilling or unable to accommodate additional animals. The strain on resources has led to a decrease in donations, particularly for TNR programs, further complicating efforts to manage the cat population effectively.
With limited resources and dwindling support, Breadon’s organization is reluctantly considering euthanasia as a means of population control. However, she emphasized the ethical and financial challenges associated with this approach, noting the reluctance of animal rescues and humane societies to provide funding for euthanasia services.
The decision to allocate funding for the TNR program reflects the city’s recognition of the urgency of the situation. The initial allocation of $1,000 per month was later increased to $1,500 per month through June, totaling $6,000, in response to concerns raised by Alderman Anna Meadows. City officials indicated their intention to reassess the funding agreement as part of the 2025 fiscal year budget planning process.
As Pacific continues to grapple with the challenges posed by its feral and stray cat population, the allocation of funding for TNR initiatives represents a proactive step towards addressing the issue and implementing sustainable solutions to ensure the well-being of both the community and its feline inhabitants.
