(ELK GROVE, CA.) — At the April 22 Elk Grove City Council meeting, passionate residents voiced their opposition to the Cosumnes Community Services District’s (CCSD) recently enacted Ordinance 15, which restricts the feeding of feral cats. Speakers urged the city not to follow CCSD’s lead, advocating instead for a collaborative approach to animal welfare.
(James McCarthy, advocating for the feeding of feral cats, during the Elk Grove city council meeting. Credit Metro Cable 14 YouTube video.)
James V. McCarthy, a local resident, told the council, “Recent actions by the Cosumnes Community Services District have turned my wife and many of the other people behind me into criminals. With the recent passage of Ordinance 15… we are here to express our hopes and desires that the city of Elk Grove does not follow the poor example of the CCSD in passing something similar to Ordinance 15 and outlawing the feeding of feral cats in the city...”
Paula McCarthy highlighted the benefits of Elk Grove’s existing programs: “Looking back, after many efforts and meeting discussions we have had with our mayor and city council members, we have had an amazing TNR [Trap-Neuter-Return] program at our city of Elk Grove animal shelter. Thank you and all of the wonderful people at the shelter that help the animals and us with the volunteerism we do from TNR, fostering and care taking of the Elk Grove community cats.”
Several speakers, including Paula McCarthy, called for Elk Grove to adopt best practices from other cities.
“Why can’t Elk Grove be a leader in this best practice supporting the caretakers and feeders of the Elk Grove community cats?” Paula McCarthy added.
Community frustration has also spilled over onto social media, where residents shared information on a community protest that happened earlier this month and criticized CCSD’s enforcement of the new rules and expressed fear for the welfare of long‑managed cat colonies.
(Image of April 10 Facebook post.)
Ryleigh S. urged residents to contact CCSD directly, writing that the ordinance is being applied to “domesticated animals who have been abandoned and failed by humans,” not wildlife. Ryleigh S. warned that removing feeding stations and shelters “will lead to more starving cats and kittens, disrupted TNR efforts, and more suffering and overpopulation.”
Other commenters like Lillie P. echoed the concern. “This is unacceptable. Tell me what I can do.”
Kat M., who had written the post, encouraged community action, saying, “Hundreds of cats will now be searching for food and shelter. Your presence matters.”
One commenter, Estella D., who promoted the protest against the policy stated, “Starving innocent trail cat lives matters.” Others described the policy as “inhumane” and urged neighbors to get involved.
The council acknowledged the growing concerns and committed to further investigation, with Vice Mayor Darren Suen stating, “I want to ask Jason, can we coordinate better with CSD and better coordinate what is happening out there and whether it is appropriate to bring forward an ordinance along these lines… We can’t take action on anything tonight as you know, but I think we can look into it from a staff level.”
Story image of feral cat provided by Christelle Hayek at unsplash.com. Submit Elk Grove story tips and ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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