BAYONNE — Clearly not planning to put on a performance of the classic Broadway musical Cats, the Bayonne City Council is poised to launch a pilot program that will seek to control the feral cat population. After several years of contemplating their options, the city council will use a $16,500 grant from PetSmart Charities to test a trap, neuter and release program in a limited portion of the city.
Bayonne has been struggling to deal with an overpopulation of feral cats for several years, but has failed to adopt a program that fully addressed the problem.
Joe Waks, director of Municipal Services, said the city would engage the aid of the Hudson County Animal League, which would work closely with the city’s animal control office to test the program in section in the southwest section of the city.
“It is clear the only way to control the population is to spay and neuter them,” Waks said.
The city council is expected to vote on the measure at July 18 meeting and the program will kick off in September.