In order for any legislation (or even TNR itself) to be successful, it needs the support of everyone, not just feral cat caretakers. Think cat haters, bird watchers, cat lovers, even people who are ambivalent about cats. This means we need language that encompasses all of those groups, not generic text provided by nationwide feral cat advocacy groups.

The authors of this bill copied and pasted free boilerplate language that is provided by a nationwide feral cat advocacy group called Alley Cat Allies here.

We have proven through failed TNR ordinances throughout NJ that Alley Cat Allies’ model – and thus A2275 – are incompatible with New Jersey without modifications that consider our high taxes, costs of living, and huge population density of both humans and outdoor cats.

The goal is not to prevent cat feeders from asking for and obtaining help with funding from rescues and grants. It is to make them responsible for active participation in the process of making sure breeding is brought under control to prevent huge colonies.

Bill A2275 needs a step back to consider the following changes:

1.    Definitions: Keep the definitions proposed in the bill but add sterilization as a requirement to “community cat caretakers.” The bill's proposed definition of a “community cat caretaker” only includes medical care, feeding and shelter, which translates into dumping cat food and calling oneself a caretaker while the colony grows out of control.

2.    Empower municipalities by providing minimum requirements for animal control that address free-roaming cats. The current policy of ignoring or excluding TNR from animal control contracts is contributing to our current crisis.

The petition’s establishment of a TNR fund through small amounts voluntarily donated or from sales license plates is not a main point of contention. However, some supporters of the bill are under the incorrect impression that the state will now cover all TNR costs of spay/neuter. This will never be the case without a disproportionate amount of taxpayer money.

Keep signing and sharing so that we can demand responsible legislation from our state representatives. Thank you!