The Newton City Council is being asked to provide $2,500 in animal control funds for a Catch, Neuter, and Return program for stray cats through Lucy’s Pet Pantry. Terri McKinney, the Board Treasurer and Secretary for the Newton non-profit, brought up the program to city council members two weeks ago as a way to help reduce the number of stray cats around town. Lucy’s Pet Pantry started a low-cost spay and neuter program in May 2023, and has altered 1,461 cats so far. McKinney says so-called “community cats” are a problem in Newton, and their Catch, Neuter, and Return Program could significantly reduce the problem over time.
“We can potentially do 100 cats for an average of $2.500. We did a poll at the beginning of the year. Pretty much the northwest section of town was where we saw a lot of concern with populations.”
During her presentation at the last Newton City Council meeting, McKinney did not request a specific amount of money from the city, but asked Newton City Council members to consider contributing city funds to the effort and recognize Catch, Neuter, and Return as an acceptable way to address the stray cat problem. Lucy’s Pet Pantry also provides essential pet products and services to Jasper County residents during times of hardship.
Tonight’s Newton City Council meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Other items on the agenda for consideration include a $495,000-plus contract for streetscape improvements in the 100 blocks of West 3rd and 4th Streets North, and a $3,175 annual increase in City Administrator Matt Muckler’s salary.
