New Ordinance Passed To Solve Stray Cat Issues

An new ordinance has been established in the Village of Orchard in hopes to solve a stray cat problem.

At the September meeting, the Orchard board discussed the proposed ordinance, which resulted in the approval with a motion from Glen Cheatum and a second from Dwight Van Ostrand.

This ordinance, which was passed on first reading with the second and third reading waived, was established in efforts to minimize the amount of strays and ensure that the cats within the village are healthy.

Within the ordinance, it is stated that there is a limit of three cats per household in the Village, that all adult cats within the limits must be licensed within 30 days of the date of the ordinance, or 30 days after having been brought into the village, kittens must be licensed upon reaching 6 months of age, and finally that the owner must take the responsibility of presenting proof of vaccinations and proof that each cat has been spayed or neutered. Each of these elements was established for the well-being of the individuals and pets living within the limits of Orchard.

Village Clerk Brenda Harrison explained, “We are not trying to take anyone’s pets, and our motive is not to upset anyone. We are just trying to control the colony and do what is best for the people and pets in the village.”

At the meeting, veterinarian Dr. Kelly Darner-Rasmussen approached the board in efforts to help with the issue in the Village. The doctor is working on opening her own mobile clinic and has donated her time to giving the stray cats needed medical attention.

This is one of the many ways that the Village is looking to solve the current problem, Harrison said. Orchard will also be taking the initiative to begin setting live traps to aid the unhealthy cats with Darner-Rasmussen’s mobile clinic.

The current concern now is how they are going to pay Darner-Rasmussen for her services. The Village is looking for options to fundraiser.

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