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Lewes working to control feral cat population

City partners with Brandywine SPCA to relocate trapped felines
December 19, 2018

Lewes Mayor Ted Becker says two large feral cat colonies are under control thanks to help from Brandywine SPCA.

All told, 16 feral cats have been trapped, neutered and relocated, including 10 from Lewes Beach near the Dairy Queen and six others from McFee Street.

The city’s efforts to control the population came under fire earlier this year when the city installed signs informing residents the feral cat population would be controlled.

“There was great concern that our ordinance allows us to euthanize cats,” Becker said. “We tried to reassure everyone at the outset that we would not.”

None of the 16 cats trapped was euthanized, he said. All were relocated to other states for adoption, he said.

In a letter to council, Brandywine SPCA Director Walt Fenstermacher said the city’s residents were instrumental in the success of the program. He said many residents helped with the trapping.

Feral cats are a problem in other areas of Lewes, Becker said, and the city will continue to trap, neuter and relocate as many as possible.

Fenstermacher offered to work with city officials to improve its ordinance regarding the treatment of feral cats. Becker admitted the city’s ordinance is no longer in line with state regulations and should be updated.

Becker, Councilman Rob Morgan and City Manager Ann Marie Townshend will soon meet with the SPCA to develop revisions to the ordinance.

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