CITY TO HOST PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND AN ORDINANCE IN THE MUNICIPAL CODE

Current Municipal Code prevents the release of feral cats back into the city after they have been captured. When feral cats cannot be released back into the community, they are sent to the Fort Morgan Humane Society.

During the council meeting on October 21, the director of the Fort Morgan Humane Society, Karen Benker, reported that the shelter does not euthanize feral cats. Instead, they work to tame them, and those that cannot be tamed find homes as barn cats. The director also added that many of the feral cats that come into the humane society are already pregnant, and those kittens are later adopted by Fort Morgan residents. The council was presented with a solution to allow the Fort Morgan Humane Society and the city to partner with Friends of Ferals, an organization from Fort Collins that specializes in trapping, neutering, and releasing feral cats to help reduce the growing population of feral cats.

A city resident recommended holding a public hearing to discuss an amendment to the current ordinance that would allow city residents to provide feedback on feral cat management within the city. To which, council members agreed.

The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, November 4, at 6:00 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 110 Main St. The meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to provide feedback on whether the current ordinance should be amended.