Columbia/Boone County Board of Health to discuss changes to feral cats ordinance

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia/Boone County Board of Health will meet Thursday to discuss some proposed changes to the city's ordinance regarding feral cats.

According to a press release, the board will host a series of public meetings to go over potential changes to Animal Control Ordinances in the city. The meetings will include presentations from staff with a review of existing ordinances and suggested updates, followed by a discussion between board members.

The potential changes include:

• Removing microchip requirements for feral cats
• Defining exactly what a feral cat colony means
• Requirements for care of feral cat colonies
• Removing a regular testing requirement for some feline viruses

According to the meeting agenda, the reasoning behind defining exactly what a feral cat colony means is to protect pet owners with the legal limit of four cats that may be fed outdoors and discuss who should apply for a feral cat colony caretaker permit.

The proposed redefined definition of a feral cat colony means any number of five or more feral cats being cared for within one property.

The first meeting will be held on Thursday at the Columbia/Boone County Health and Human Services, Training Room 1, 1005 W. Worley St.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 pm. The Board will also hear comments from the public.