In 2024, over 4,300 cats entered Utah County shelters, and only 60% made it out alive. Community cats (aka stray or free-roaming cats) are losing their lives simply because they've made a home outdoors. In many cases, they are brought to NUVAS or SUVAS where they have a 40% chance of being killed. Many of these cats thrive living outdoors because community members care for and about them. That's where community cat programs come in. These programs use trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) to save cats. The process is simple: Community cats are trapped, evaluated by veterinarians, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and returned to their outdoor homes, unable to have kittens. Lifesaving programs like these are proven to be the most cost-effective, veterinarian-approved, and animal-friendly solutions for improving the health of and reducing free-roaming cat populations. By aligning city ordinances with state law, Utah County can save lives, reduce taxpayer costs, and build healthier, safer communities for both people and pets. Reference the facts: Utah Code Community Cat Act 11-46-301 - https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title11/Chapter46/C11-46-P3_1800010118000101.pdf Community cats and public health: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cats-and-public-health TNR and population management: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-what-to-do-with-feral-cats-examining-tnr Cat health and welfare with TNR: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cat-health

In 2024, over 4,300 cats entered Utah County shelters, and only 60% made it out alive. Community cats (aka stray or free-roaming cats) are losing their lives simply because they've made a home outdoors. In many cases, they are brought to NUVAS or SUVAS where they have a 40% chance of being killed. Many of these cats thrive living outdoors because community members care for and about them. That's where community cat programs come in. These programs use trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) to save cats. The process is simple: Community cats are trapped, evaluated by veterinarians, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and returned to their outdoor homes, unable to have kittens. Lifesaving programs like these are proven to be the most cost-effective, veterinarian-approved, and animal-friendly solutions for improving the health of and reducing free-roaming cat populations. By aligning city ordinances with state law, Utah County can save lives, reduce taxpayer costs, and build healthier, safer communities for both people and pets. Reference the facts: Utah Code Community Cat Act 11-46-301 - https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title11/Chapter46/C11-46-P3_1800010118000101.pdf Community cats and public health: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cats-and-public-health TNR and population management: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-what-to-do-with-feral-cats-examining-tnr Cat health and welfare with TNR: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cat-health

In 2024, over 4,300 cats entered Utah County shelters, and only 60% made it out alive. Community cats (aka stray or free-roaming cats) are losing their lives simply because they've made a home outdoors. In many cases, they are brought to NUVAS or SUVAS where they have a 40% chance of being killed. Many of these cats thrive living outdoors because community members care for and about them. That's where community cat programs come in. These programs use trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) to save cats. The process is simple: Community cats are trapped, evaluated by veterinarians, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and returned to their outdoor homes, unable to have kittens. Lifesaving programs like these are proven to be the most cost-effective, veterinarian-approved, and animal-friendly solutions for improving the health of and reducing free-roaming cat populations. By aligning city ordinances with state law, Utah County can save lives, reduce taxpayer costs, and build healthier, safer communities for both people and pets. Reference the facts: Utah Code Community Cat Act 11-46-301 - https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title11/Chapter46/C11-46-P3_1800010118000101.pdf Community cats and public health: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cats-and-public-health TNR and population management: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-what-to-do-with-feral-cats-examining-tnr Cat health and welfare with TNR: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cat-health

In 2024, over 4,300 cats entered Utah County shelters, and only 60% made it out alive. Community cats (aka stray or free-roaming cats) are losing their lives simply because they've made a home outdoors. In many cases, they are brought to NUVAS or SUVAS where they have a 40% chance of being killed. Many of these cats thrive living outdoors because community members care for and about them. That's where community cat programs come in. These programs use trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) to save cats. The process is simple: Community cats are trapped, evaluated by veterinarians, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and returned to their outdoor homes, unable to have kittens. Lifesaving programs like these are proven to be the most cost-effective, veterinarian-approved, and animal-friendly solutions for improving the health of and reducing free-roaming cat populations. By aligning city ordinances with state law, Utah County can save lives, reduce taxpayer costs, and build healthier, safer communities for both people and pets. Reference the facts: Utah Code Community Cat Act 11-46-301 - https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title11/Chapter46/C11-46-P3_1800010118000101.pdf Community cats and public health: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cats-and-public-health TNR and population management: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-what-to-do-with-feral-cats-examining-tnr Cat health and welfare with TNR: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cat-health

In 2024, over 4,300 cats entered Utah County shelters, and only 60% made it out alive. Community cats (aka stray or free-roaming cats) are losing their lives simply because they've made a home outdoors. In many cases, they are brought to NUVAS or SUVAS where they have a 40% chance of being killed. Many of these cats thrive living outdoors because community members care for and about them. That's where community cat programs come in. These programs use trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) to save cats. The process is simple: Community cats are trapped, evaluated by veterinarians, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and returned to their outdoor homes, unable to have kittens. Lifesaving programs like these are proven to be the most cost-effective, veterinarian-approved, and animal-friendly solutions for improving the health of and reducing free-roaming cat populations. By aligning city ordinances with state law, Utah County can save lives, reduce taxpayer costs, and build healthier, safer communities for both people and pets. Reference the facts: Utah Code Community Cat Act 11-46-301 - https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title11/Chapter46/C11-46-P3_1800010118000101.pdf Community cats and public health: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cats-and-public-health TNR and population management: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-what-to-do-with-feral-cats-examining-tnr Cat health and welfare with TNR: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cat-health

In 2024, over 4,300 cats entered Utah County shelters, and only 60% made it out alive. Community cats (aka stray or free-roaming cats) are losing their lives simply because they've made a home outdoors. In many cases, they are brought to NUVAS or SUVAS where they have a 40% chance of being killed. Many of these cats thrive living outdoors because community members care for and about them. That's where community cat programs come in. These programs use trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) to save cats. The process is simple: Community cats are trapped, evaluated by veterinarians, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and returned to their outdoor homes, unable to have kittens. Lifesaving programs like these are proven to be the most cost-effective, veterinarian-approved, and animal-friendly solutions for improving the health of and reducing free-roaming cat populations. By aligning city ordinances with state law, Utah County can save lives, reduce taxpayer costs, and build healthier, safer communities for both people and pets. Reference the facts: Utah Code Community Cat Act 11-46-301 - https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title11/Chapter46/C11-46-P3_1800010118000101.pdf Community cats and public health: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cats-and-public-health TNR and population management: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-what-to-do-with-feral-cats-examining-tnr Cat health and welfare with TNR: https://www.felineresearch.org/post/issue-brief-feral-cat-health

More than 440 other cities, counties and states have already passed laws to stop the retail sale of pets sourced from commercial breeding facilities. It's time for our community to do the same. Puppy and kitten mills are in business to supply pet stores. The pets in these facilities often spend their entire lives in dirty, crowded cages for the sole purpose of producing as many animals as possible for the retail pet trade. Pet stores that obtain animals from these facilities are not an asset to our community. These facilities also produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. In the past several years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. A humane pet sales ordinance will not prevent pet stores from doing business, but it will reduce the burden on our shelters and rescue groups by increasing pet adoptions. It will also benefit our local ethical hobby breeders by allowing them to provide responsibly bred pets directly to those who cannot find what they are looking for through adoption. Please consider protecting pets and consumers by passing a humane pet sales ordinance for our community.

In order to create compassionate no-kill communities and achieve no-kill for cats nationwide, we need communities to support lifesaving programs like Trap-Neuter-Return [TNR]. The process is simple: cats are caught (often by volunteers), evaluated by veterinarians, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and returned to their original outdoor homes, unable to have kittens. These programs are also proven to be the most cost-effective, veterinarian-approved, and animal-friendly solution for controlling and reducing free-roaming cat populations.

Every week, up to 100 dogs and cats are dying in LA's shelters, and conditions for both pets and people are dire. It doesn't have to be this way. There are programs and policies that can be implemented to save animal lives and protect the people that care for them.   By implementing no-kill programming, such as increased foster placement and adoption outreach, among others, we will ensure every life that can be saved, is saved.  

Under the revised interpretation of the old statute, if 2 out of a litter of 6 kittens are sneezing or have ringworm, all the kittens (and mom) will be killed instead of being sent to rescue.  During the March to September time period, our rescue had 81 cats and kittens transferred to us from WAS in 2023. During the same time period this year, there have been had 18. That's 63 cats and kittens (or 77% less) that had easily treatable infectious diseases that were killed unnecessarily.  In 2023, over 25,000 animals (cats and dogs) found new homes through shelters and rescues in Kansas. That number will be dramatically lower in 2025 and lower still if action isn't taken immediately to stop the proposed changes.

More than 440 other cities, counties and states have already passed laws to stop the retail sale of pets sourced from commercial breeding facilities. It's time for our community to do the same. Puppy and kitten mills are in business to supply pet stores. The pets in these facilities often spend their entire lives in dirty, crowded cages for the sole purpose of producing as many animals as possible for the retail pet trade. Pet stores that obtain animals from these facilities are not an asset to our community. These facilities also produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. In the past several years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. A humane pet sales ordinance will not prevent pet stores from doing business, but it will reduce the burden on our shelters and rescue groups by increasing pet adoptions. It will also benefit our local ethical hobby breeders by allowing them to provide responsibly bred pets directly to those who cannot find what they are looking for through adoption. Please consider protecting pets and consumers by passing a humane pet sales ordinance for our community.

More than 440 other cities, counties and states have already passed laws to stop the retail sale of pets sourced from commercial breeding facilities. It's time for our community to do the same. Puppy and kitten mills are in business to supply pet stores. The pets in these facilities often spend their entire lives in dirty, crowded cages for the sole purpose of producing as many animals as possible for the retail pet trade. Pet stores that obtain animals from these facilities are not an asset to our community. These facilities also produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. In the past several years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. A humane pet sales ordinance will not prevent pet stores from doing business, but it will reduce the burden on our shelters and rescue groups by increasing pet adoptions. It will also benefit our local ethical hobby breeders by allowing them to provide responsibly bred pets directly to those who cannot find what they are looking for through adoption. Please consider protecting pets and consumers by passing a humane pet sales ordinance for our community.