East Brunswick Proposes Trap-Neuter-Release Program For Feral Cats

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – Town Council on Monday announced a new program to support trap, neuter, and release (TNR) for feral cats.

This comes after several community members approached Council for help in the matter.

Advocates had made calls to hire new law enforcement for cat colony management. But this suggestion was shot down by the Council as it would cost local taxpayers over $300,000 annually.

The proposal that the administration came up with does not require hiring more law enforcement.

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, Council will allocate $6,600 annually from cat licensing fees, for TNR services, covering over half of the procedures. This fund is not replenished until the following year and does not impact property taxes, Mayor Brad Cohen said.

The funds will be available to anyone providing TNR services in town - whether it’s a nonprofit group or an individual. The amount has been restricted to $6,600 as anything higher would require a public bidding process, Cohen clarified.

The Mayor said that while the administration applauds the efforts of residents to bring this issue to the Council, many community members have demanded that the township change ordinances related to the management of the feral cat population.

“These changes that they seek would require the township to add new law enforcement personnel to manage or oversee cat colonies, handle cap-related complaints, and remove township enforcement requirements imposed on those whose behaviors result in safety and health risks to the community,” Cohen said.

He noted that before the township even considered any changes to personnel or ordinances, it was important to define the problem.

Cohen said he met with several members of the TNR group over three years and asked them to provide evidence to define and quantify the feral cat problem in East Brunswick.

The information was provided only two months ago and “it does not substantiate the changes that are being demanded,” Cohen said.

The township then did its research by consulting with several surrounding communities, animal rights professionals, and other TNR advocates in the township.

Cohen noted that enforcement rights have not been used in the last four years. In rare cases, it has been employed for someone who's been hoarding or feeding so many cats that they become a health and safety risk to their neighbors or community.

“In these rare hoarding cases, the underlying cause is not our ordinances. It's mental illness. We will not be changing any of our ordinances as our primary role is the safety and security of those that live, work, and commute in the township,” Cohen said.

Once complete details of the program have been worked out, information on how to assess the funds will be made public and put on the township website and Facebook page.

“We believe that this is a fair and equitable approach to this problem, as it helps defray the costs being borne by well-meaning residents. Additionally, it does not involve changes to the ordinances that ensure public safety, and it does not impact residential property taxes,” Cohen said.

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