Township leaders reaffirm support for a longstanding animal control program while preparing to seek new bids.
Howell Township, NJ – Howell Township officials say a longstanding program aimed at controlling the feral cat population will remain in place, even as the township prepares to seek new bids for services.
Township Manager John Gross provided an update during a recent council meeting, emphasizing that the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program—used to manage and reduce feral cat colonies—has been effective and will continue without interruption.
“Just to give an update on the TNR program, that’s the trap, neuter, and release program,” Gross said. “The program that we’ve had successfully implemented over the years remains intact.”
The township currently partners with the Monmouth County SPCA to carry out the program, which involves humanely trapping feral cats, sterilizing them, and returning them to their environment to prevent further population growth.
Contract process underway, no immediate changes expected
Gross said Howell is required to go out to bid for the service and is in the early stages of preparing a formal request for proposals (RFP), a process he said could take at least two months.
Key Points
- Howell’s Trap-Neuter-Release program for feral cats will remain in place
- Township preparing to issue RFP for animal control services
- Monmouth County SPCA to continue services during transition
“We are required to go out to bid on this… we are putting together the process of putting together the RFP for that process and I would expect that realistically it’s going to take at least 60 days,” Gross said.
He added that the Monmouth County SPCA has agreed to continue providing services during the transition and is expected to submit a bid once the process opens.
“The Monmouth County SPCA has agreed to extend their agreement with us until we go through this process. They’ve also indicated that it’s their intention to bid once we do put together our RFP,” Gross said.
Officials emphasize program’s importance
Gross sought to reassure residents that there will be no disruption to the program as the township moves through the bidding process.
“No one should be concerned at this point that today’s activities are changing any different than what it was previously,” he said. He also underscored the township’s commitment to maintaining and potentially improving the program moving forward. “We commit and understand the importance of making sure that this program remains intact and better if possible,” Gross said.
The TNR program has been widely used by municipalities as a method to control feral cat populations while reducing shelter intake and euthanasia rates.