Cat Colony Ordinance To Be Considered Monday In Freehold

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Borough Council ordinance regulating a proposed pilot program to control the colony cat population here will be considered on Monday.

The "TNR" pilot program - referring to trap, neuter, vaccinate and release - was introduced Nov. 21.

The ordinance to "amend Title 6 (Animals) of the borough code" is on the council agenda for Monday, Dec. 19, for second reading and public hearing. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Borough Council chambers, 30 Mechanic St. The agenda also lists a resolution adopting the ordinance.

Under the pilot TNR program, should it be adopted, cat colonies would be permitted and caregivers "shall be entitled to maintain them" in accordance with the the ordinance.

More details on the ordinance can be found here.

Any cat that is part of such a managed and registered colony would not be considered a "feral cat" for the purposes of the code, the ordinance says.

The proposed pilot program would terminate two years from its effective date unless the council acts to continue it prior to that date.

The borough will study the effectiveness of the program no later than six months before the expiration of the pilot program, if it has not already acted to extend the program.