JAMESBURG — The Borough Council has adopted an ordinance designed to curtail the feral cat population boom through a feeding ban.
The Sept. 14 vote came only months after the borough fielded 49 animal control calls in June, a significant increase considering there were 88 calls recorded in all of 2010.
Modeled from a measure enacted in towns including Sayreville, the ordinance restricts residents from keeping, containing, possessing, maintaining, caring for, feeding, or in any way attracting or harboring any cat that is not vaccinated and licensed.
Borough Business Administrator Denise Jawidzik said that anyone who violates the ordinance is subject to a first-offense fine of $100; second offense, $250; and third offense, $500 plus court costs.
The ordinance also contains a clause prohibiting tampering with traps used by borough animal control officers or a designee. If convicted, offenders could be fined up to $2,000 or face up to 90 days of county imprisonment or community service.
Council President Otto Kostbar and members Thomas Busco, Daria Ludas and Greg Newton voted in favor of the ordinance. Barbara Carpenter voted against it and Brenda Deans abstained from the vote since she was not present for the first reading.
Carpenter said she was initially in favor of the ordinance, but she doubts that the measure will ultimately discourage the feeding of feral cats, meaning those that are born in the wild.
“I’m just uncomfortable with the ordinance,” she said. “Even if this ordinance passes, people are still going to feed the cats.”
She said neutering and spaying strays would be preferable, despite the possible costs involved.
Newton said that although he supported the ordinance, he remains open to considering alternative remedies in the future.
During the public hearing on the ordinance, Donna Hildreth of Cranbury urged the council to vote against the ban or at least postpone it to gather information on alternatives. Like Carpenter, she encouraged a policy of trap, neuter and release (TNR). She said she does not believe the ban will have its desired effect on feral cat populations in the borough.
“Like you, I want to see fewer feral cats on the streets and I want to see this achieved with measures that provide the best results with the least cost to the taxpayer,” Hildreth said. “Unfortunately, the feeding ban will not get you there.”
“It will waste your time and money, in addition to cruelly starving cats,” she added.
She read a statement from Alley Cat Allies, a national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection of cats, also calling for alternative policies.
Through a statement issued later, Becky Robinson, President of Alley Cat Allies, expressed disagreement with the council’s decision.
“Feeding bans do nothing to solve the problem and will cause increased ill will among neighbors and needless suffering for cats,” she said.