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<br />The City of Novato, California has developed a program to implant microchips in cats as a means to <br />identify cats, prevent euthanasia of cats with owners, and to force spaying or neutering of the animal. <br />This program seems to offer a compromise to both sides of the cat licensing debate. <br /> <br />There are more Draconian options such as capturing the colony and euthanizing its members. Research <br />seems to indicate that this offers only a temporary solution as other feral cats move into the territory. (See <br />the research study conducted by Stanford University). <br /> <br /> <br />RELATED CITY POLICIES <br />The City has regulations and requirements related to dogs and livestock within the City limits, but cats <br />and feral cats are not addressed in any of these. <br /> <br /> <br />COUNCIL OPTIONS <br />The City Council has several options and could pursue one or more: <br />? <br /> <br />Direct the City Manager to work with local animal welfare groups to determine the feasibility of <br />developing a formal, City-supported “trap, neuter, release” program including educating the <br />community on spay/neuter and feral cat issues. <br />? <br /> <br />Review in detail various cat licensing and/or microchip programs as a way to control cat <br />population and as a source of revenue for animal control issues. <br />? <br /> <br />Take no action at this time. <br /> <br /> <br />CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION <br /> <br />The City Manager recommends Option 1, working with local animal welfare groups to determine the <br />feasibility of developing support for a “trap, neuter and return” program. <br /> <br /> <br />SUGGESTED MOTION <br />Move to direct the City Manager to bring back a report by the end of the calendar year with <br />recommendations and resource needs to assist local animal welfare groups to address the issue of feral <br />cats. <br /> <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS <br /> <br />A. Excerpt from Minutes of May 8, 2002, Council Work Session <br />B. The Humane Society of the United States Position Statement on Trap, Neuter, Return <br />C. Webpage of Feral Cat Project <br />D. Metro Animal Feral/Stray Cat Resources <br />E. Feral Cats: Trapping is the Kindest Solution <br />F. Voices for Animals: Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project <br />G. Alley Cat Allies: Feral Cat News <br />H. Stanford Cat Network <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Z:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080625\S080625A.doc <br />