I’m a NJ EMT by night, and by day I’m running an unofficial cat rescue North Lake Ferals...here in Pemberton Township, NJ. I didn’t see this becoming a passion or this to become my life, but I inherited a four cat colony about 2 years ago, then started helping with another colony around the corner, and now I’m trapping, vetting and fostering cats and kittens with Hissy Hut while trying to do the work our township keeps pushing aside. What makes it even harder is that my township has this unorthodox, unethical ordinance that says if you are caught feeding feral cats, you can be fined. The idea seems to be that if people stop feeding them, the cats will just disappear. That is not how this works.

If you know anything about feral cat colonies, then you know the real solution is TNR: trap, neuter, and return. People like me, and rescues like Hissy Hut, are trying to be part of the solution by trapping, vetting, spaying, neutering, socializing the cats that can be rehomed, and safely returning true ferals to their colonies. Punishing residents for feeding cats does not control the population. It just makes the animals suffer more, pushes the problem out of sight, and discourages the very people doing the hard work for free. Not to mention the problems ferals will have on the wildlife if we stop feeding them. 

I am asking Pemberton township leaders to repeal the ordinance that fines people for feeding feral cats and replace it with a policy that supports humane colony management through TNR. Stop criminalizing compassion. Work with local rescuers and animal welfare partners instead of making it harder for us to do what actually helps reduce colony size over time.

I’m already doing this work with limited resources because I care, and I know I’m not the only one. If you believe Pemberton should choose humane, effective solutions instead of punishment and ignorance, please sign this petition and help us push for real change. Push Pemberton Township to support TNR efforts and rescues official and unofficial like me!