T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY — Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown Executive Director Austin Gillis makes the case for a Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) program for feral cats during Monday night’s city council meeting. Karla Gould, one of two leaders of the Marshalltown Feral Support group, announced that they would no longer be pursuing a city contract for such work.

During the public comment period at the beginning of Monday night’s city council meeting, a leader from the Marshalltown Feral Support group who had previously approached the council to request a contract with the city to provide Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) services for local feral felines indicated that her organization was no longer interested in pursuing such an arrangement.

At the June 9 meeting, Karla Gould and Steven Havens presented a request for a three-year contract at a cost of $15,000 annually along with $2,000 for a “kitty condo” to house kittens from when they are six to eight weeks old until they can be spayed or neutered. On Monday evening, however, she changed her tune.

“After some in-depth conversations, consultation and reflection, Steven and I decided to pull that request last week. I wanted to first thank the council for considering this request. Some of you truly showed your support and going above and beyond to help us, and all of our group members and citizens for their support as well if there are any in the room,” she said. “In making our decision, the main concern was our readiness to expand the current operation. We still believe the city of Marshalltown desperately needs a formal TNR program, and we still believe it is the only humane option in addressing the feral cat situation. For us, the biggest challenge is finding more local options for spays and neuters and being able to trap the number of cats we need when we need them to meet the expectations that would come along with a contract of this type.”

She added that as a newly certified 501(c)3 organization, there are a lot of rules and regulations to learn about and follow.

“The Marshalltown Feral Support Group is still committed to the humane management of our feral cat population, and we will continue our mission to trap, spay and neuter and vet as many feral cats (as we can) with the funds that we receive through donations and fundraising,” Gould said. “I personally will still be pursuing some type of building to help foster more kittens, but that will be done separately from the nonprofit organization.”

As she concluded, she reiterated that the problem and the need have not gone away, with more feral kittens being born every day.

“We will continue to do our best to make a difference. Whether it be our group or some other group, the city of Marshalltown needs a TNR program sooner rather than later, and I’m hopeful that we’ve helped at least shine a light on something that needs to be pursued,” Gould said.

The next speaker was Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown Executive Director, who also expressed his support for a TNR program and took issue with unnamed city councilors for reaching out to local veterinarians about a trap and euthanize program.

“I want to be clear, and I speak for the vast majority of the animal welfare community when I say this is deeply disappointing and unacceptable,” Gillis said. “Just this week, a litter of orphan kittens was brought into our shelter. Their mother had been hit by a car, leaving these babies skinny, scared and crying for help. They didn’t choose to be orphaned. They don’t understand why their presence offends us or why the hole under your porch feels safer than the street. So I ask, which one of you wants to be the one to trap and kill these innocent lives?”

He went on to describe trap and kill as “a revolving door” that ultimately draws more cats to the same food sources and shelter options through a vacuum effect, which Gillis called “a well-documented consequence of unsustainable eradication.”

“Even if we had the capacity to continually trap and remove cats, which we do not, it would drain taxpayer dollars and fail to address the core issue. It is neither fiscally responsible nor humane. We at the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown will not endorse or participate in trap and kill. Instead, we proudly support TNR volunteers who are working ethically, tirelessly and effectively to address the root cause — reproduction.”

In the long term, he argued, TNR helps stabilize populations, shrink colonies naturally, reduce the number of nuisance complaints and lessen the strain on shelters and city services. Gillis also worried about a pet who slipped outside being mistaken for feral and trapped and the issue of eliminating outdoor cats simply giving rise to other animals like rats, mice, snakes, foxes and coyotes.

“Cats play a natural role in urban ecosystems. Their presence alone deters unwanted wildlife and can help keep the balance. TNR is embraced across the country because it works. It’s cost effective, humane and aligns with public values. This isn’t just an animal welfare issue. It’s a smart strategy for public health and fiscal responsibility,” Gillis said. “I leave you with this. Problems cost money to fix, but these animals didn’t create this challenge. They deserve better than extermination, and I urge you to reject outdated, ineffective solutions and instead choose compassion, science and sustainability.”

Preston Moore, the state director of Humane World for Animals in Iowa, was the next speaker on the topic and also expressed his support for TNR programs.

“The long and short of it is everything Austin said is essentially correct. Using a TNR program helps reduce the population of cats over time, and it’s done in a more humane way,” he said.

He cited a historical example of the Jefferson city council asking the police department to shoot feral cats, and they faced severe backlash and have since transitioned to adopting a TNR program. Moore said his organization’s services would be available at no cost to develop policies on animal issues.

Finally, Peggy Hannam, who chairs two of the ARL’s largest fundraisers, spoke about receiving a text regarding a house where 30 cats were dying because they are infested with fleas.

“I’m getting worn out raising this money. I have a full-time job. I want you to listen. Something needs to be done, and it has to stop here,” she said. “So I’d appreciate if you took what we’re saying to heart because it’s very difficult, and everybody’s getting worn out, including our staff at the Animal Rescue League.”

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.