I have always believed in the compassion and humanity we extend to our fellow creatures. Living in Indian River County, I've seen the overpopulation of stray/feral cats increase, raising concerns about their welfare and the impact on the community. The best approach to controlling and managing this situation across the United States is through the practice of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), also known as Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate- Return. However, our local shelter - the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County (HSVB), despite its good will, cannot support us in implementing these practices since they remain illegal in our county.

TNR is a humane, effective method that prevents the exponential increase of stray cat populations by stopping the breeding cycle therefore preventing reproduction.  It works by humanely trapping stray cats, sterilizing them, vaccinating for rabies and returning them back to their familiar surroundings. Such practices, endorsed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and the Humane Society of the United States have been proven effective in managing stray cat populations with positive impacts on the community.   

Since TNR is not legal in Indian River County it puts the local shelter at a disadvantage but also paves the way for the suffering of stray cats. This practice needs to be regulated and legalized to aid in the proper control of stray cats respectfully.

TNR will also answer the needs of the community.  The population stabilizes so no new kittens.  Cats will become better neighbors because mating behaviors cease, like yowling, spraying and fighting.  The concern of catching rabies from stray cat will be eliminated.   The last confirmed cat-to-human transmission of rabies occurred in 1975. The health risks that catch and kill advocates most often blame on cats are intestinal parasites, rabies, flea-borne typhus and toxoplasmosis.  Yet the spread of these diseases has never been conclusively linked to feral cats.  Another community concern is the impact of stray cats on the bird population.  I would like to rebut that clearing of land to build more communities and businesses destroys the natural habitat of our native birds.  I don't see this growth in the community being changed.  

This change is not just about legality, but about compassion and effective animal control. Indian River County needs to move forward by implementing humane solutions that have benefited other locations throughout the United States.

We are asking you, our County Commissioners to legalize Trap-Neuter-Return in Indian River County. Indian River County is the only county on the east coast of Florida that prohibits this practice.  Let us prove that IRC is a safe and desirable community for both people and animals.