Greenwich Seeks Solutions For Feral Cat Problem

GREENWICH, CT — In an effort to bring a feral cat problem under control in Old Greenwich, the town will look to put an ordinance on the books in the coming months.

The Board of Selectmen on Thursday briefly discussed the idea and is expected to put together sample language within the next month or so. Any ordinance approved by the Board of Selectmen must then go to the Representative Town Meeting for final adoption. The RTM reconvenes in September.

First Selectman Fred Camillo, a noted animal lover, said he reached out to his friend Annie Hornish of the Humane Society of the United States' Connecticut Chapter for guidance.

While the town's nuisance ordinance wouldn't cover the issue of feral cats, Town Attorney Barbara Schellenberg said a section within the Connecticut General Statutes allows municipalities to adopt an ordinance requiring the registration of keepers of feral cats in residential or commercial areas.

Schellenberg said she'd check to see if other towns in CT have adopted such ordinances, which could serve as a blueprint for Greenwich.

Pam Petito, a 30-year resident of Old Greenwich, spoke during Thursday's Board of Selectmen meeting and detailed her experiences dealing with feral cats on her property.

She said the problem cropped up four years ago when a neighbor on Shore Road brought home a litter of kittens.

"Without the benefit of spaying or neutering, their numbers have grown tremendously. The males spray our patio furniture, they mark the perimeter of our home, even our front door. You can imagine coming home to find cat urine on your front door threshold, and it's happened many times," Petito said, noting her now abandoned vegetable garden has been used as a litter box, and her outdoor furniture covers and cushions have been ruined.

Up to 10 feral cats frequent Petito's property on a regular basis, she said, and she noted she's been in contact with over a dozen neighbors with similar problems.

"Every day we attempt to shoo cats off our property, but they continue to return. The cats are territorial, so the more cats there are, the wider-spread the problem becomes. This is not just going to go away," Petito said.

Many of the cats are sick and injured, and Greenwich Animal Control has removed several cats from Petito's property, she said.

"Unfortunately, the trap, neuter and release will not rid us of these problems I've mentioned. These feral cats really must be completely removed from the area. This has become not only a town nuisance, but a public health issue," Petito said. "That said, we are willing to cooperate in any way we can to resolve this very upsetting issue because we have lost the peaceful enjoyment of our home and surrounding property."

Camillo agreed that an established ordinance is necessary.

"When someone calls in with a concern and we don't have anything on the books, it's frustrating to them and frustrating to us," Camillo said.

Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan said an ordinance is "a good way to move forward."

"We definitely want to nip this in the bud in a humane way," she added. "We're certainly not the only community that has this problem."

Camillo hopes to circle back in the coming weeks to establish language for the ordinance.

"This isn't fair to the cats and it's not fair to the residents who are just trying to enjoy their lives and minding their own business," Camillo said.