City’s Efforts to Manage Feral Cat Population Face Legal and Policy Challenges.
Costa Mesa’s initiative to implement a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for managing its feral cat population has encountered significant delays due to legal ambiguities and policy concerns. TNR, a method where feral cats are humanely trapped, sterilized, and returned to their original locations, is advocated by many as a humane solution to control and reduce feral cat numbers over time.
Historically, Orange County Animal Care offered TNR services but discontinued the program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cessation was attributed to concerns that releasing cats back into the community might be construed as animal abandonment, a practice prohibited by law. This decision has led to increased public dissatisfaction and strained relations between the community and shelter leadership.
A recent legal case in San Diego County has further complicated matters. In December, a Superior Court judge ruled against the San Diego Humane Society’s community cats program, stating that including domesticated cats in TNR efforts violated the law. The court emphasized that while feral cats could be part of TNR programs, domesticated cats without identifiable owners should be given opportunities for adoption within shelters.
In response to these developments, Costa Mesa has been cautious in advancing its TNR initiatives. The city’s current spay/neuter voucher program explicitly excludes feral cats, focusing solely on owned pets. This exclusion underscores the city’s apprehension about potential legal repercussions and the need for clearer legislative guidance.
Advocates for TNR in Costa Mesa continue to push for the program’s implementation, emphasizing its benefits in humanely controlling the feral cat population and reducing shelter overcrowding. However, until state laws are clarified to protect municipalities and organizations from potential legal challenges, the future of TNR programs in Costa Mesa and broader Orange County remains uncertain.
