Costa Mesa City Council Approves Trap-Neuter-Return Program for Feral Cats
The Costa Mesa City Council has approved a new ordinance allowing the trap-neuter-return (TNR) program for feral cats, ending a seven-year effort by animal advocates to legalize the practice. Previously, the city had laws prohibiting the return of non-domesticated animals to the streets, which forced rescue organizations to operate quietly to avoid legal repercussions. The new ordinance requires rescue agencies to register with the city, allowing them to sterilize and return feral cats to their original locations. These cats must be checked for identification chips, vaccinated, and marked on their ears to indicate they have been spayed or neutered. The change comes after the city prioritized establishing veterinary facilities, which had stalled progress on the TNR ordinance. The city has also threatened to cancel a deal with its veterinary service provider, Priceless Pets, if significant progress is not made soon. 
