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
