News Summary
Costa Mesa faces a cat overpopulation crisis, prompting residents to advocate for the legalization of the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. Currently illegal, the TNR method aims to manage feral cat populations humanely. Local shelters are overwhelmed, and volunteers, including Stacy Bushey, are struggling to find solutions. A petition for TNR legalization has gained traction, drawing attention from city officials. Despite some support, bureaucratic challenges hinder progress. Activists urge immediate action to help the increasing number of stray cats and avoid potential euthanasia.
Costa Mesa is facing a significant cat overpopulation crisis, prompting residents to rally for the legalization of the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. The TNR method is aimed at managing feral cat populations by trapping, neutering, and then returning the cats to their original locations. Currently, this practice is illegal in the city, creating frustration among cat advocates who believe it is a humane solution to the ongoing crisis.
Local shelters have become overwhelmed with the increasing population of stray cats and are often forced to turn away new intakes. As a result, the number of strays continues to build up in the area. A resident named Stacy Bushey, who has been passionate about cat care for years, noted that she has been instrumental in transporting injured or sick cats to local veterinary services. Bushey is part of a community network made up of 40-50 individuals who actively care for and feed stray cat colonies, capturing and neutering them whenever possible.
In an effort to coordinate their rescue operations more effectively, Bushey and a colleague founded a nonprofit organization called the Urban Tiger Foundation. Despite their commitment to helping cats, the illegal status of TNR has left them unable to return neutered feral cats to their familiar environments, leading to concerns about overcrowding and potential euthanasia for unrescuable animals.
The situation has drawn more attention, resulting in a petition launched on Change.org that has garnered over 900 signatures in support of legalizing TNR in Costa Mesa. Recent discussions have indicated that while there are provisions allowing Priceless Pets, the city’s veterinary partner, to return fixed feral cats, bureaucratic hurdles continue to hinder this process.
City officials, including Mayor John Stephens, have acknowledged the issues related to the cat overpopulation crisis. The mayor has expressed that despite years of advocacy around TNR legislation, the enactment of an ordinance is not anticipated this year. The Animal Services Committee is scheduled to formally discuss a proposed TNR ordinance on October 22, but the mayor has stressed the need to prioritize the transition of Priceless Pets to their new facility before making any advancements on TNR policies.
Councilmember Loren Gameros has shown support for the TNR legislation but will recuse himself from voting due to a conflict of interest stemming from his wife’s employment at Priceless Pets. Activists, including Bushey, are urging immediate action from city officials to effectively address the overwhelming cat population issue.
Reports from citizens indicate that the number of feral cats is on the rise, with a population calculation in 2023 suggesting that numbers would significantly increase if unspayed females continue breeding unchecked. The proposed TNR ordinance would establish legal parameters for residents to trap, neuter, and return feral cats, while ensuring they do not trespass on private property during the process.
Frustration among the community has also escalated due to incidents of illegal trapping, indicating a desperate need for regulatory reform regarding stray cats. The city is currently monitoring a property where approximately two dozen feral cats have been reported, as residents continue their efforts to capture the animals before the house is demolished.
In response to the crisis, community efforts have led to various fundraising campaigns aimed at supporting the spaying and neutering of feral cats. Animal advocates argue that without a legal TNR program in place, there is a high risk of euthanasia for cats caught by animal control, underscoring the necessity for a humane alternative to manage the growing feline population in Costa Mesa.
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Additional Resources
- LA Times: Citizens Provide Animal Services Off the Record
- LA Times: After 7 Years, a Plan to Legally TNR Ferals
- OC Register: Animal Advocates Worry Cats Might Be in House Headed for Demolition
- Wikipedia: Trap-neuter-return
- Google Search: Feral Cat Population Management
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
