'A huge issue': City asked to curb growing cat population in Winnipeg
Animal welfare advocates are looking for more leeway to help tackle the feral and stray cat population in Winnipeg.
A motion for changes to the pet by-law was on the table at City Hall Wednesday as part of a push to get out-of-control cat numbers in the city under control.
“It’s a huge issue with stray and feral cats,” said Shannon Nicole Towers, an animal welfare advocate.
A motion from Councillor Vivian Santos said many stray and feral cats roaming in neighbourhoods are not spayed and neutered. The motion said this can lead to an increase in the cat population and have negative impacts on residents and other wildlife.
“These include noise from male cats, cats fighting over territory or mates, urine marking," said Towers.
Right now the city does not allow residents to shelter these animals, commonly known as "community cats."
Advocates say there should be changes to the pet ownership by-law to allow for this so they can get the cats spayed or neutered and then released.
“Personally, I’ve been doing the work even without the blessing of the city in residential areas,” said Claudia Allen with Winnipeg Lost Cat Alert.
The city’s community services committee voted to have the animal services department come back with a report on options in six months.
“We could come back and say no changes needed, we can come back and say if people want to set up a couple dog houses in the back yard to house feral cats, but they’re going to (have to) do this TNR (trap-neuter-return) stuff, spay and neuter these cats and take care of them,” said Leland Gordon with Animal Services.
Committee chair John Orlikow raised concerns about what could happen if someone was permitted the option of housing the community cats in a backyard.
"The neighbourhood may not be happy about that so again I hope you’ll address that in the report as well,” said Orlikow.
The committee also asked for the report to include what a city operated stand alone spay and neuter facility would cost.
“That’s one of our dreams long term, that would really help knock down the pet population,” said Gordon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.