City of Belton Addresses Abandoned Cat Colony in West Belton
Published on October 10, 2023
Belton, MO - October 10, 2023 - The City of Belton wishes to provide an update regarding the ongoing situation at 17126 Chula Vista. Over the past several months, significant progress has been made, and there is a need to clarify misinformation circulating throughout the community.
The property located at 17126 Chula Vista was previously inhabited and recent information indicates that the previous owner is no longer residing in the property.
The City's Animal Control Officer, ACO Spease, has been actively involved in addressing concerns related to an abandoned cat colony at the property. Since May 18, 2023, approximately 26 cats were trapped, neutered, and released (TNR) as part of our ongoing efforts to manage the situation. Three separate calls from concerned neighbors were received, indicating their awareness of the previous owner’s absence, and expressing concerns about the cat colony.
On September 3, 2023, family of the previous owner contacted ACO Spease to report the property as vacant and indicated that they had sold it. They made it clear that they would not be responsible for caring for the stray cats in the vicinity.
In response to these developments, the City of Belton has undertaken several initiatives to address the abandoned cat colony issue. These efforts include partnering with organizations such as HELP Humane to rehome and relocate the cats. To date, 19 cats have found placement through these collaborative efforts, with ongoing trapping scheduled for October 10, 2023.
Additionally, ACO Spease has engaged with Feline Fix to explore further opportunities for finding suitable homes for the remaining cats. The City acknowledges the challenges posed by food sources that attract cats away from our efforts, and we are actively working on solutions to address this issue.
The City of Belton remains committed to managing this situation with the utmost care and compassion for both the animals and the community. We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of our residents during this process.
Media Contact:
Charlie Duber
Communications and Marketing Specialist
cduber@belton.org
630.947.9383
###
Click here to view the official press release.(PDF, 344KB)