Jacksonville advocates push for more city funding to help spay and neuter community cats

A Jacksonville petition is asking the city for more funding for EveryPet’s community cat program after free TNR services ran out

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville residents are asking the city for an additional $100,000 to $150,000 to help fund spay and neuter services for free-roaming community cats.

The effort centers on EveryPet’s Duval Cat Fix program, which provides trap-neuter-return (TNR) services. TNR involves trapping community cats, spaying or neutering them, and returning them to their neighborhoods.

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EveryPet CEO Jennifer Barker said demand has increased and city funding for the program lasted only five months.

“There’s been an increase in demand for our community cat programs here at EveryPet,” Barker said. “With increased demand for those services, the funding only lasted for five months.”

Community cat advocate Jennifer Kelly said the Duval Cat Fix Fund is now exhausted. A private fund allows residents to access TNR services for $25 per surgery, but she said even that cost can be a barrier.

“There are a lot of people who are just not bringing cats into EveryPet anymore because they simply can’t afford to pay the $25,” Kelly said.

Kelly began trapping cats in her neighborhood in January and has since helped about 15 cats. She said volunteers often cover the costs of traps, food, gas and other supplies themselves.

“It can become quite costly just for the average individual who’s trying to make a difference in their community,” Kelly said.

Advocates say TNR can help reduce the number of unwanted kittens while easing pressure on shelters and animal services.

“TNR is extremely beneficial because it solves the problem at the beginning, where reproduction happens,” Kelly said. “By spaying and neutering a cat, it prevents unwanted kittens and litters from being born.”

Barker said controlling reproduction is critical because “one unspayed female and her offspring can produce over two million kittens in just eight years.”

Kelly’s Change.org petition has more than 600 signatures. Advocates have also spoken at City Council meetings and contacted city leaders as they push for additional funding during the budget process.

Barker said the issue will require cooperation between the city, EveryPet and residents.

“It is a community-wide issue,” Barker said. “Not one agency can tackle this problem alone, which is why our partnerships are crucial to help us increase lifesaving.”