HomeMy WebLinkAboutFree Roaming Cat Task ForceAnimal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) Free Roaming Cat (FRC) Task Force
Background:
Free-roaming cats are the most significant source of cat overpopulation in Orange
County, NC. These may be feral or stray cats or they may be outside cats loosely
affiliated with a single domicile or affiliated with a number of homes in a particular
area. If not spayed and neutered, these cats can not only multiply quickly but can
also exhibit disruptive behavior associated with mating and protection of territory
such as yowling, fighting, and spraying. They are also associated with the
destruction of small birds and small mammals. Some of these cats are owned and
some are not. But when they breed, the number of unwanted cats increases
exponentially. In addition to nuisance behavior, there are other issues including the
lack of immunizations and spread of infection/disease among cat populations. These
issues and the lack of guaranteed food, shelter and protection from predation make
life especially hard for these cats. Unvaccinated free roaming cats can also pose a
significant public health risk via the transmission of disease such as rabies and
toxoplasmosis.
Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) and the ASAB are partnering to look for
ways to address the issue of FRC overpopulation. Importantly, the overarching goal
is to control cat overpopulation in Orange County, which supports and promotes the
ASAB strategic plan for managing pet overpopulation. Integral to this plan are the
objectives of reducing animal intakes and euthanasia and controlling the medium
and long-term costs of animal services in Orange County. By controlling
overpopulation and vaccinating FRCs, there will be the added benefit of increasing
the health of FRCs, protection of public health, and less destruction of wildlife.
Charge: (define purpose, primary goals, and objectives)
Purpose: To cooperate with OCAS staff to examine the issue of feline overpopulation
as a key component of the county’s strategic plan for managing pet overpopulation
and identify one or more initiatives to control free roaming cat overpopulation in a
humane and sustainable manner.
Primary goals: TBD by task force and approved by ASAB
Objectives: The FRC Task Force will make recommendations to the ASAB on the
issue of free roaming cat overpopulation and the associated protection of public
health in Orange County, NC.
Timeline: TBD by task force and approved by ASAB
November 20, 2013