HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 06/03/2025 - Memorandum from Ginny Sawyer re Outdoor Cat Education/EnforcementCity Manager’s Office
City Hall
300 LaPorte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6505
MEMORANDUM
Date: May 29, 2025
To: Mayor Arndt and Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
From: Ginny Sawyer, Project & Policy Manager
Subject: Outdoor Cat Education/Enforcement
Bottom Line
Staff was requested to provide information on efforts to address free roaming cats in the city.
Background
The City of Fort Collins has required that all pets (except birds) be restrained when off private property:
All pet animals, except birds, shall be kept under restraint. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper
of any pet animal, except birds, to permit such animal to be at large in the City, with or without the
owner or keeper's knowledge.
The City of Fort Collins contracts with NoCo Humane to enforce animal related ordinances. Restraining
and containing outdoor cats is one of the most difficult ordinances to enforce.
Staff, especially at Natural Areas, attempt to raise awareness in a variety of ways by encouraging bird-
friendly activity during high migration times (April and September) and throughout the year through
social media posts, educational events, and publications.
Messaging example:
Migrating is physically exhausting and exposes them to greater risks. You can help them have a
successful journey by:
�� Putting out bird feeders
������� Providing a water source
����� Turning off your lights at night
����������� Keeping your cats indoors
Bird friendly activities are included in the Explorer which includes mention of keeping cats indoors.
Local partners such as the Museum of Discovery, the Raptor Center, and the Bird Conservancy are
also frequent messengers of how to create bird friendly environments.
Staff has ordered brochures from the American Bird Conservancy related to outdoor cats and will
distribute them at City Hall, the Museum of Discovery, Natural Areas, and Neighborhood Services.
If Councilmembers are interested, CPIO has one more slot for the City in :60 series (slated for
November) that could be a focus or a stand-alone video could be an option.
Docusign Envelope ID: 15333683-1125-4FE8-810C-9FE525334AD3