Feral cats in Medicine Hat's industrial area. (Photo Courtesy Linda Tooth)

By Brendan Miller

Council faces community backlash over trap and release bylaw

Jun 12, 2023 | 4:47 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – At least three Medicine Hat councillors say they have received negative feedback from the community after council voted to defeat a bylaw that would allow humane societies to trap, neuter and release feral cats.

Today those same councillors met city officials to discuss their opinions moving forward after council voted last week not to move forward with a trap, neuter and release (TNR) program.

Councillors Ramona Robins, Cassi Hider and Allison Knodel say they have heard concerns about that decision from members of the community.

Director of parks and recreation James Will says it’s important to clear up misinformation about the program.

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“We understand that there is a desire in the community for something that would allow a TNR program to move forward and we are certainly working to make sure the council has the information they need so they can make a decision on it,” says Will.

“That might mean answering some questions about the impact of what a TNR program does for animal health. So how does a procedure impact an animal and then if that animal is released back into the wild we certainly know that was something we heard at council but also just answering questions around the timing of a TNR program and what criteria would be needed,” adds Will.

READ MORE: Online video sheds light on feral cat problem in Medicine Hat

Animal advocates are upset with what they view as a lack of urgency from council.

Nicole Frey, founder of the Animal Food Bank, wrote a strongly worded email to the mayor and city councillors that she shared with CHAT News.

It reads in part:

“Your Council has an opportunity to make change here and end the suffering of community cats. Yet you all remain silent and seem to want to do nothing to become informed.”

Knodel responded saying she voted for the trap and release program to move forward. She says with the issue back before the committee she is hopeful open dialogue and community advocacy will result in this program being implemented soon.

That’s also the hope of Linda Tooth who is part of a group who feeds feral cats in the city.

“My hope is that yes they will split that bylaw in two and allow us to do a trap neuter release program here in Medicine Hat sooner rather than later, says Tooth.

“I’m disappointed that it came to council on Monday night and they didn’t even understand what it was so there was a level of disappointment with that,” adds Tooth.

It’s not yet clear if the trap and release program will be up for debate at council’s next regular meeting scheduled for June 19.

In the meantime animal welfare advocates continue to speak with members of Alberta’s division of the Canadian Animal Task Force.

If council moves on a trap and release program, the task force is prepared to travel to Medicine Hat to perform spay and neuter surgeries.