Matawan Boro Administrator Explains The Ned Drive Feral Cat Problem

MATAWAN, NJ — Here's the latest update to the feral cat drama that played out in Matawan this week, where the town of Matawan (incorrectly) told residents that the Monmouth County SPCA would euthanize stray cats, which is not accurate and prompted a hiss of anger from the MCSPCA.

The Monmouth County SPCA even briefly refused to pick up any animals called in from Matawan until the town apologized. The Monmouth County SPCA has a strict policy of not euthanizing stray cats.

But Matawan borough administrator Scott Carew explained that current Matawan town law on the books does call for euthanizing unclaimed dogs or cats, as well as dogs/cats that exhibit signs of rabies.

That's been the law in Matawan since 2005, he explained.

However, he said the Matawan town council has been working for months now to officially change that law — well before this week's cat fight with the county. Matawan will likely start doing Trap, Neuter, Release on stray cats, but the town still has to get it set up.

"The borough had received complaints about a specific area of Matawan, along Ned Drive, about feral cats invading backyards," explained Carew. "One complaint included a report of an aggressive cat causing an injury to one of the neighbors. Besides the potential of a feral cat being aggressive, a real potential public health risk exists with feral cats as they can carry and spread disease to humans and other animals (pets)."

"While the current governing body inherited the ordinance from 2005, the current Animal Welfare Advisory Committee has been working throughout 2022 to replace that ordinance to reflect a practical and humane way to deal with feral cats and cat colonies. Council meeting minutes reflect numerous conversations about their research and development of a Trap, Neuter and Release program."

Matawan has had traps out in the area of Ned Drive for about a week now, but the traps have not caught any cats.

"No cats were trapped after having traps out for a week, so the decision was made to remove the traps," said Carew Friday afternoon.

It also remains unlikely the traps will be put back out.

"Until the existing ordinance is changed, there would only be a resumption of trapping efforts if verified complaints about feral cats are made," he said.

Carew also specifically addressed this: Why is the Matawan Police Department involved in trapping feral/free roaming cats?

"Under the ordinance from 2005, the responsibility for impounding free roaming animals falls to the police department and Animal Control. This is likely to change with the adoption of a new ordinance for animal control. The public notice was printed on police department letterhead. No one from the police department played a role in writing the notice or the actual trapping efforts."

He also asked Matawan residents to stop feeding stray cats.

"While well-intentioned, their efforts will not help if the creation of a consistent food source creates a proliferation of stray cats," he said.

Matawan Apologizes For Saying Monmouth Co. SPCA Will Kill Stray Cats