Every year, thousands of free-roaming “community cats” are subject to unnecessary trapping, impoundment, or euthanasia across Michigan. These cats are often cared for by compassionate individuals and groups—yet those very caregivers sometimes face fines or penalties simply for feeding and sheltering them.

This must change.

We, the undersigned, call on State Representative Brad Paquette (House District 37) and State Senator Jonathan Lindsey (Senate District 17) to introduce and sponsor the Community Cat Protection & Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Act.

We also ask that all local mayors and legislatures support this act and help implement it.

This humane, proven legislation would:

Clarify that returning sterilized, vaccinated, and ear-tipped cats through TNR is not abandonment.

Protect caregivers from penalties for feeding or caring for community cats including inside trailer parks.

Ensure public health through mandatory rabies vaccination, sterilization, and record-keeping.

Support TNR programs.

Why it matters:

Reduces shelter overcrowding and euthanasia.

Saves taxpayers money.

Keeps communities healthier through vaccination.

Honors and protects the kind individuals who work tirelessly to care for these animals.

Keeps the outdoor cat population numbers down.

65% of cats born outside die before they reach 6 months of age. We can help prevent so much suffering and death thru TNR. 

In my own experience, in just two years on my tnr journey, I have seen the difference tnr makes. I moved to an area that had over 50 cats who just kept having babies. After getting all those fixed those numbers are now down to around 25 and since October of 2023 we have had zero kittens be born after previously having kittens be born to die every few months. Tnr does matter. I have now helped over 200 other people get their outdoor cats fixed and keep their numbers down in those two years. They also see the difference in no more kittens being born. Tnr is our best option to keep more cats from being born on the streets and to help keep intake numbers down in local animal controls. 

Other places such as Chicago Illinois, Washington DC, Baltimore Maryland ECT have had immense success with implementing tnr programs. 

Please sign and share to help ensure Michigan treats community cats—and those who care for them—with compassion and dignity.

Thank you for standing up for animals and your community!