Columbus trapping community cats; Owners warned not to let pets roam

Columbus Animal Care Services is warning that your cats should stay at home if they have not ear tipped as efforts continue to control the stray cat population.

Officers will be looking for healthy, unneutered outdoor cats throughout the summer as part of a program to trap, neuter, vaccinate and then return the cats to where they were found. After going through the process the cats will have a notch in their ear to identify them as having been treated.

According to the agency, under city ordinances only ear-tipped cats are allowed to roam. And those without their ears notched could be collected for the procedure. Officials warn that could mean pet cats could be trapped if they are outside.

Cats with signs of ownership such as a microchip or collar, or who have been neutered without getting their ear tipped, will not be returned to the owner. Instead owners may reclaim their pet, although city fines may apply for roaming. There is a three day hold for cats collected as strays. If an owned cat isn’t reclaimed it is fully vetted and then becomes available for adoption or rescue placement.

If you have any questions you can call the shelter at 812-376-2505.

You can find more information here: https://www.columbus.in.gov/animal-care-services/communitycats