City of Mt. Pleasant Releases 2024 TNR Program Census

Established in 2021, the city’s Trap Neuter Release (TNR) program stabilizes the feral cat population by humanely and compassionately trapping, sterilizing, and vaccinating cats before they are returned to their outdoor habitat. This comprehensive process involves setting up cat feeding stations and specific feeding times. Cats then receive a health assessment by a licensed veterinarian who spays/neuters, vaccinates, and ear-nips or micro-chips the animals. Cats are released into their outdoor habitat and adopted, if possible. This program runs annually from April-October.

In 2024, the city hired a part-time public safety employee, who is TNR certified, to administer the program. This commitment resulted in a total of 100 cats receiving aid, with 47 of those cats being adopted.

Per city ordinance, animals are not allowed to be euthanized except when determined by a licensed veterinarian. Out of the 233 cats only one has been euthanized after (3) days of hospitalization.

Community Cat Program Worker Susan Sanderson shared, “I am proud and thankful to be involved with the City of Mt. Pleasant’s effort in controlling the community cat population. Considering the number of cats involved in the TNR program, and the number who have been adopted, this was a successful season, for both the community cats, and our city.”

Residents are reminded not to feed stray cats and get their cats spayed and neutered.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/EapseqBrvjoyqmaK/

Animal Ordinance and TNR Reminders

In July 2021, the City Commission approved an amended animal ordinance to address the increasing number of complaints regarding stray cats. These concerns include noise, sanitary issues, child safety, and the growing stray cat population afflicting certain areas of the city.

Over the past several years, Code Enforcement has worked to deal with these issues in a humane and compassionate manner. Thetrap, neuter/spay and release (TNR) methodhas been utilized, but with limited success due to the feeding and harboring of these animals by some residents.

The amended ordinance provides Code Enforcement personnel with additional tools to address health and safety issues created by animals. As in the past, the first enforcement step is education. The second step involves working with local partners to: (1) humanely impound the animal(s); (2) have the animal(s) trapped, spayed/neutered; (3) released/adopted if possible. Neither the original or amended ordinances allow stray animals to be euthanized, except as determined by a licensed veterinarian.

A total of 100 cats have gone through the TNR program since its inception two years ago. This program is ongoing and is determined by the current feral and stray cat population.

The amended ordinance does not change the number of household pets permitted (up to three cats/dogs). This has been in effect for decades.

Please remember to not feed stray cats, and get your cats spayed and neutered. If you have noticed a problem regarding stray cats, contact Code Enforcement Officer Susan Sanderson (989) 779-5104 or by email ssunderman@mt-pleasant.org.

Summary of Minutes of the Virtual Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – June 28, 2021

Summary of Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, June 28, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

1) Minutes of the electronically conducted regular meeting of the City Commission held June 14, 2021.

2) Minutes of the electronically conducted closed session of the City Commission held June 14, 2021.

3) MDOT Resolution authorizing approval of a contract for reimbursement of funds for approach slope clearing project for the Mt. Pleasant Airport.

4) Professional Services Agreement with Mead & Hunt for the Airport Tree Abatement Project.

5) Warrants and Payrolls.

Held a Public Hearing on proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 10: GENERAL PROVISIONS, §10.05 DEFINITIONS and Chapter 91: ANIMALS of the Mt. Pleasant City Code of Ordinances. The matter was tabled.

Approved contract extension with Isabella County for the Material Recovery Facility (MRF).

Approved budget amendment for Material Recovery Facility (MRF).

Changed use of funds for Broadway Central.

The Commission conducted a work session discussion with Walsh Municipal Services (Frank Walsh) regarding City Manager search.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:28 p.m.