Cats living outdoors in Richmond County, Georgia are in danger.  A newly proposed ordinance would allow Richmond County Animal Services to trap or pick up these cats, impound them and then euthanize.  This includes strays, pets and feral cats, aka "community cats" living outdoors.  Specifically feral cats are in serious jeopardy.  Deemed "unadoptable" they have no chance at life at all unless they are part of a colony supervised by a responsible caregiver who has spayed/neutered, vaccinated and ear tipped them.  This program, trap-neuter-return, TNR, is a program that has been proven to be extremely successful in many parts of the country as well as our own state.  The programs mentioned are county funded, however, we are not asking the county or taxpayers to fund TNR programs.  Currently, these are funded by individuals through donations and fundraising.

The objective of implementing a TNR program is to halt the breeding and allow the cats to live out their normal lifespan where there is permission for them to live.  Over time, cat populations diminish naturally and humanely.  Finally, shelter intake and euthanasia numbers are reduced resulting in a large cost savings to taxpayers. 

Please help us protect the outdoor cats in Richmond County, Georgia by asking the local government to include exemptions in the current proposed ordinance.  If you are a property owner in Richmond County, Georgia, please sign our petition.  Outdoor cats do not deserve to die just because they live outdoors.