Animal abandonment rule obstacle in feral cat fight

'Our Humane Society does not want to be a kill shelter': Councilors say change would open partnership between volunteers, Humane Society

Surging stray cat populations have Sioux Falls enlisting the help of community cat caretakers to trap, neuter and release ferals.

But before private animal health advocates can help Sioux Falls Animal Control and the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society get a handle on the city’s feral feline counts, a city ordinance that right now puts those community volunteers at risk of animal abandonment violations has to go away.

“They do it on their own dime, but … if you do a medical treatment on a cat, that animal becomes your animal,” said Councilor Ryan Spellerberg, highlighting the legal dilemma that groups like the Sioux Empire TNR Coalition find themselves in if they trap, neuter and release strays within the city of Sioux Falls.

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