Alpena may partner with HHS, TNR on feral cat program
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ALPENA – The Alpena Municipal Council is considering a Spay and Neuter Program Agreement with the Huron Humane Society and Northeast Michigan Trap-Neuter-Return, creating a city-backed effort to reduce the feral cat population within the city limits.
Council was expected to vote in the matter during Monday's council meeting, which was not over before The News' deadline.
The agreement, recommended by City Manager Rachel Smolinski, would remain in effect through June 30 of next year.
The pact puts into operation the $5,000 allocation the council approved in June as part of a $30,000 annual service contract with the Huron Humane Society.
"This is the spay and neuter program referenced in the City's Services Agreement with Huron Humane Society," Smolinski wrote in an Aug. 18 memorandum. "The agreement establishes the responsibilities of each organization in administering a spay and neuter program for community cats residing within the City of Alpena. TNR will administer the program and coordinate veterinary services, while HHS will assist with eligibility, program documentation, and reimbursement requests."
The program is for feral cats living in the city and is not available to TNR cardholders. TNR will run the program under its established rules, coordinate with veterinary providers and schedule appointments. HHS will provide forms, screen residents for eligibility, prepare documentation, submit quarterly reimbursement requests and accept friendly or adoptable cats when space allows.
TNR and the participating resident each contribute $30 toward eligible procedures. City funds may cover a resident's share if the person cannot afford it, subject to available funding and eligibility criteria set by HHS. City reimbursement is limited to eligible expenses and authorized funding. Services are first-come, first-served, with no scheduling priority for city residents. There is no initial cap on the number of cats one person may present.
Veterinary appointments depend on provider availability and are not guaranteed within a set timeframe. TNR may use clinics in Alpena and other communities when needed.
Mayor Cindy Johnson supported the partnership.
"The agreement is a collaboration among entities that support a spay-and-neuter program for feral cats in the city," Johnson said Monday. "It is an effort to control the unwanted pet population and is the mission of TNR and the Huron Humane Society, Inc."
Rebecca Witt, president of Northeast Michigan TNR, said the groups had worked for months to reach an agreement.
"Northeast Michigan Trap Neuter Return (NEMTNR) has been working closely with board members of the Huron Humane Society (HHS) to finalize an agreement to work together to help get more community cats residing within the City of Alpena spayed/neutered through TNR," Witt said. "HHS is also working closely with the City of Alpena on oversight and final approval of the program concept and agreement. If the program receives approval for implementation, HHS will handle the majority of administrative requirements with NEMTNR taking responsibility for the coordination and physical actions involved with TNR."
"As the President of NEMTNR, I am excited to see multiple entities coming together to foster a humane and effective plan to address both animal welfare and community concerns pertaining to community cats," Witt added.
In June, Smolinski told council the $5,000 feral-cat allocation was the major change in the HHS contract and that operating details still needed to be finalized.
"Once an operating procedure for the program is agreed upon, I will bring that to the council for review and approval," she said then.
Johnson has tied the funding to ordinance updates that define feral cats and restrict feeding of wild animals, including free-roaming cats. Residents who feed such cats are expected to see that the animals are sterilized. Officials say the program offers a subsidized way to comply while slowing the growth of unowned colonies.
Northeast Michigan TNR, founded in 2016, traps, sterilizes, vaccinates and returns free-roaming cats across Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties. It has long partnered with HHS, the city's no-kill shelter, which takes in friendly cats and kittens found during trapping when space is available. Local clinics have offered discounted rates for TNR-eligible animals. Cats make up most of HHS intakes, especially during kitten season.
Any party may terminate participation with 30 days' written notice but remains responsible for costs properly incurred before termination. The groups may review participation, veterinary availability, funding and the number of cats served and mutually adjust procedures. Material amendments must be in writing and approved by all parties.