News photo by Josh Jambor Kiara Rodriguz, a staff member at the Huron Humane Society, holds Tampa, one of the many animals cared for at the shelter that are available for adoption. On Monday, the Municipal Council approved a $30,000 service agreement with the organization, including $5,000 for a new city sponsored spay and neuter program.

ALPENA – The Alpena Municipal Council voted to approve a $30,000 service agreement with the Huron Humane Society during Monday’s meeting for the coming fiscal year, which runs from July 1 Through June 30.

The allocation includes a new $5,000 allocation to support spaying and neutering of feral cats in the city, via the Trap, Neuter, Spay (TNR) group.

The agreement provides $25,000 for ongoing shelter services to Alpena residents and marks an increase from prior years to address growing needs at the facility. City Manager Rachel Smolinski highlighted the key addition in the Humane Society contract.

“The major change this year to the agreement with HHS is allocating for the $5,000 city sponsored spay and neuter program for feral cats,” Smolinski said.

Implementation details for the new program are still being finalized.

“Once an operating procedure for the program is agreed upon, I will bring that to the council for review and approval,” Smolinski added. “They are still working behind the scenes with TNR and HHS to come to an agreement.”

Mayor Cindy Johnson expressed strong support for the initiative and its connection to a recent city ordinance update.

“We recently had an initial meeting with TNR following the city’s proposal to allocate $5,000 toward spaying and neutering feral cats within the city,” Johnson said. “The Huron Humane Society Inc. and TNR still need to meet and work through the program details, but we are committed to partnering to address the feral cat population.”

Johnson added residents in Alpena who feel free-roaming cats, will be liable for the cost to get them fixed.

“With the new ordinance changes, residents who feed feral cats will be required to ensure that the cats are spayed or neutered,” Johnson said. “The city’s funding provides an option for homeowners to comply with the ordinance while helping to reduce the unwanted pet population.”

“We believe this will be a positive partnership with TNR, HHS, the City of Alpena, and an important step toward responsible population management,” Johnson added.

Johnson added a call to action for the community: “I want to add that if anyone has a friendly cat in their neighborhood, please try to get them into a local shelter. Shelters are meant to help find homes for animals who may have once lived inside and, for whatever reason, are now trying to fend for themselves.”

The funding helps the Huron Humane Society continue critical services such as housing, treating and finding homes for stray and surrendered animals from Alpena. The organization takes in hundreds of animals annually and works to manage overpopulation challenges, especially in the wake of regional weather events and economic pressures that can strain pet owners.

Residents interested in the feral cat program, adoptions or volunteering at the Huron Humane Society are encouraged to contact the organization directly.

In a separate action on Monday, council approved a $5,000 agreement with the Thunder Bay Arts Council for public sculpture projects that enhance community spaces and promote the arts in Alpena.