Clearmont, WY – The Clearmont Town Council met on Monday evening to discuss a proactive animal‑control initiative aimed at curbing the town’s feral cat population. Mayor Chris Schock opened the meeting by awarding two chamber bucks to Katie Fennema and Mark King for completing a recent town survey, then turned to the upcoming feral‑cat roundup.
Trap‑Neuter Schedule and Community Notice
Mayor Schock announced that volunteers will set up approximately 50 humane traps on September 16 and 17. The traps will be placed throughout town and the captured cats will be transported to the Sheridan County Fairgrounds, where a partnered veterinary team will spay or neuter, vaccinate, ear‑tag, and release the animals back to their original locations.
To maximize the program’s effectiveness, the council will place a notice on the upcoming water bill reminding residents that any house cat that roams outdoors should be kept indoors for a few days during the trapping period. This short‑term precaution helps ensure that owned cats are not unintentionally caught.
Expected Impact on the Feral Cat Population
Mayor Schock emphasized that while the town will still have feral cats after the operation, the systematic spay‑and‑neuter effort is expected to reduce the overall population “fairly decently” over time. By preventing new litters, the city hopes to lessen the strain on local wildlife, reduce nuisance complaints, and lower municipal costs associated with stray‑animal care.
Community Support and Volunteer Involvement
The council praised local volunteers who have organized the trapping effort and coordinated with Sheridan County officials. Residents are encouraged to sign up as trap monitors or to assist with transporting cats to the fairgrounds. The town’s animal‑control department will provide training on humane trapping techniques to ensure the safety of both animals and volunteers.
Next Steps
Following the September 16‑17 roundup, the council will review the program’s results at its next meeting. Data on the number of cats trapped, sterilized, and released will be shared with the public, allowing the community to gauge the initiative’s success and consider future expansions.
Mayor Schock concluded by thanking the volunteers, the veterinary team, and the residents for their cooperation, noting that the program reflects Clearmont’s commitment to responsible stewardship of its animal population and the well‑being of its neighborhoods.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
