City officials have denied program to neuter the stray cats of Provo
Jan 30, 2025, 8:00 PM | Updated: Feb 4, 2025, 1:53 pm
Best Friends Animal Society has offered a program to neuter the stray cats of Provo, but the city has decided against it. (Canva)
(Canva)
PROVO, Utah — Best Friends Animal Society has offered a program to neuter the stray cats of Provo, but the city has decided against it.
According to Best Friends’ data 96% of all cats euthanized in the state are done at Utah County shelters.
Best Friends has been working with Provo city leaders since February of 2024 on a three-year pilot program to help their shelters move towards a no-kill status. A program that Best Friends offered to spend a million on.
A couple months ago, the plan to neuter the stray cats of Provo was recommended by the city council five to two. One of the council members who voted against the plan was Becky Bogdin.
“I have a hard time making a favorable recommendation when our police officers are so heavily against it,” said Bogdin.
Best Friends spokesperson Holly Sizemore said they’ve tried meeting with Provo Police to discuss pushback and the current nuisance program in play.
“We even said, don’t worry we’ll speak with those people because we know that nuisance mitigation for any neuter … program is really important,” said Sizemore.
But they’ve haven’t had the easiest time.
“We’ve been met with nothing but delays and canceled meetings and no explanations,” said Sizemore.
Provo City released a statement that after careful research and consulting with community members and other national studies they said there would be a tax payer cost and don’t believe the program is right for Provo.
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