Town of Oyen council hears stray cat control request

By Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Your West Central Voice

OYEN—The Town of Oyen council heard a request from the public to address the community's stray cat population during its regular meeting on June 10.

Coun. Dustin Dick said a ratepayer and business owner had approached him with concerns about stray cats and asked council to consider possible solutions.

Dick noted the issue has arisen before and said he wanted to ensure the concern was brought forward for discussion.

Mayor Doug Jones observed that some residents feed stray cats, which encourages the animals to return.

Dick added that, in his view, the issue could be framed as a choice between stray cats and mice.

“If that's the choice, I would pick the stray cats,” he said.

Chief Administrative Officer Sacha Martens prepared a request for decision (RFD) outlining several options for council, ranging from public education initiatives to a trapping program.

Martens asked council for direction on how staff should proceed regarding the issue.

Councillors discussed how many Alberta municipalities address cats, including strays, through animal control bylaws. In some communities, cat-related concerns are handled on a complaint basis, with residents able to borrow traps and turn captured animals over to animal control services.

During the discussion, Coun. Blake Hertz said the number of stray cats in Oyen appears lower than it was in the past.

He recalled that years ago it was common to see stray cats darting across streets throughout town, but said that seems to happen less frequently now.

Hertz also noted there had long been rumours that some stray cats originated from surrounding farms and eventually made their way into town, either intentionally or unintentionally.

As council considered possible responses, members noted that trapping and handling stray cats could become expensive. Councillors heard that costs could reach about $300 per animal and potentially $400 to $500 if veterinary services were required.

Dick said the resident who contacted him believed some form of program might exist to address stray cats but was unsure what the associated costs would be.

Council also noted that in the past, any stray cat that came into the Town of Oyen's possession was taken to a veterinary clinic.

Councillors discussed tabling the matter while staff sought advice from organizations such as the SPCA.

Ultimately, council accepted the RFD for information and directed staff to investigate stray cat control strategies and report back at a future meeting.