KETTERING — The city of Kettering could partner with SICSA to assist with taking in stray cats that are trapped by the police department as part of the city’s response to stray cat reports if city council votes to approve the policy change.
“The ultimate goal of the new management process is to ensure that, if at all possible, cats are well cared for and placed up for adoption to a loving home,” the city said in a prepared statement.
The city currently partners with the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center, however the county recently notified Kettering that they will no longer accept stray cats.
"As soon as the city was notified of the operational changes at the ARC, we reached out to animal welfare partners to develop a solution that is in the best interest of the cats and our neighborhoods," the city said.
If the changes are approved, when the city receives a report of a stray cat, the community services officer locates and traps the cat. SICSA then will spay or neuter the cat, and if it’s healthy and friendly, will place the cat up for adoption.
If SICSA does not have room for stray cats, the cat will have an ear clipped as a form of identification that they’ve been spayed or neutered and will be released where it was trapped, the city said.
“This is an important opportunity to remind cat owners that the City of Kettering has an ordinance that cats can not be allowed to roam or be loose outdoors,” city officials said. “Cats left on the loose could be considered stray.”
The city council will vote on the proposed changes March 12.
