DEWEY BEACH, Del. – The Dewey Beach Town Council has unanimously voted to amend the town’s ordinance concerning abandoned and feral cats.Â
The changes are designed to ensure the ongoing welfare of cats within the community, while also aligning with best practices for their care and population management.
Additionally, the ordinance outlines new procedures for reducing the population of abandoned and feral cats in the town, while still prioritizing their well-being.
Kate Banaszak, Dewey Beach’s Town Clerk, presented the ordinance update and emphasized that the changes were long overdue, as the last time the issue was addressed was more than 20 years ago.
"Since then, there’s been a lot more information out there for the public about trap-neuter-release." Banaszak said. "I think there are better resources available through the Humane Society and the SPCA for people to be able to trap and do it the right way."
Trap-Neuter-Release, or TNR, is Dewey Beach’s recommended method for managing feral cat populations. The process involves trapping the cat, having it neutered, and then releasing it back in the same area where it was found.
Leigh McKinley, the Director of Humane Animal Partners in Rehoboth Beach, stressed the importance of using the correct equipment for the task.
"You place food in the very back of the trap, cover it with a sheet or a blanket, and the cat will activate the trap by walking all the way to the back," McKinley explained. "Once they pass a certain point, the door closes, and they can’t escape."
The revised ordinance, which was passed unanimously by the Town Council, will go into effect immediately.