City increases TNR funding for stray cats
Inman: "We're trying to cut back on the suffering of homeless cats"
By News Channel Nebraska
NEBRASKA CITY – City commissioners agreed to increase spay and neutering fees for stray cats at Monday’s city council meeting, but will wait for the next budget cycle to decide on increasing the cap for yearly expenses.
Rachael Inman of the Trap, Neuter, Return program asked for an increase from $30 per cat to $50 per cat.
Inman: “We may not be able to catch that many, but it would be our goal. We’re trying to cut back on the suffering of homeless cats.”
TNR caught 92 cats in 2022 and 63 cats in 2023.
Inman told City Administrator Perry Mader that they would probably not exceed the $3,000 cap this year, but would like the extra funding to be considered in the next budget cycle.
The program usually transports cats to Lincoln for veterinarian services.
Inman asked for an increase in total yearly costs from $3,000 to $4,000 to allow the program to fix 80 cats per year.
City Clerk Randy Dunster said the charges for spaying a cat are higher if done locally, but the higher cap could save TNR the travel expenses.