đź”” UPDATE – Sept. 18, 2025 — After nearly two hours of debate, the Guthrie City Council voted Tuesday night to approve a new ordinance establishing a framework for Community Cat Management through a Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program. The measure, which passed 6-1, comes after months of discussion and multiple drafts. Read more.
đź”” UPDATE – Sept. 12, 2025 — Second Update: City adds private property, residential call clarifications to proposed TNR ordinance
In a continuing effort to address citizen concerns, new details have been released regarding the proposed Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) ordinance ahead of the upcoming City Council meeting. The latest additions to the draft explicitly outline procedures for private property access and introduce a specific “two-strike” system for the removal of stray cats in residential areas.
The most direct clarification, aimed at easing resident fears over trespassing, is found in the newly added Section 3-133-C, titled “Private property coordination.” This section states: “Any entry onto private property by City staff or contractors to trap or return a cat as part of the TNR process will be coordinated in advance with the property owner.” This language was added to ensure that no city-affiliated personnel will enter a resident’s property without prior consent.
Additionally, the ordinance now includes a distinct policy for handling calls from residential areas. Under Section 3-134-D, “Residential area calls,” the proposal outlines a new two-step process:
- For a first call for stray cat removal at a residence, the cats will be removed with no return.
- If a second call for removal is made from the same location within sixty (60) days of the first, the cats will then be trapped, neutered, and returned to that location as part of the TNR program.
Mayor Adam Ropp noted this provision is designed to provide an initial, non-TNR solution for residents while establishing a clear protocol for locations with recurring stray cat issues. The provision also specifies that this two-call system “shall not apply to calls originating from commercial areas,” where the standard TNR process would apply from the outset.
To provide further context on the practice of TNR in the state, Ropp released a list of other Oklahoma municipalities and areas that have already adopted similar programs, either through direct city ordinance or in partnership with local organizations. The list includes:
- Ada
- Altus
- Blanchard
- Edmond
- Hobart
- Jenks
- Noble
- Norman
- Paul’s Valley
- Perkins
- Ponca City
- Sallisaw
- Sand Springs
- Stillwater
- Tulsa
- Vinita
- Watonga
These clarifications are expected to be central to the discussion at the Tuesday council meeting, which is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and can be viewed on Guthrie News Page.
🔔 UPDATE – Sept. 11, 2025
Guthrie Mayor Adam Ropp has clarified that the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) proposed ordinance was an early draft and does not reflect the version that is expected to be presented to the city council.
“I just wanted to let you (Guthrie News Page) know that the TNR ordinance you have is an early draft that was only used as a starting point. It has gone through several revisions since then, and many of the core provisions are now quite different,” the mayor said to Guthrie News Page.
Ropp added that the updated draft is expected to be presented before Tuesday’s council meeting.
Guthrie News Page will share that information as it becomes available.
Original Article
The City of Guthrie is set to consider a new ordinance establishing a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for community cats at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, September 16th.
“This is something we’ve worked toward for years, and I believe this is the time it will pass,” said Lisa New on social media, who helps lead Helping Community Paws and Claws. “If it does (pass), Guthrie will not only improve the lives of our community cats but also lead the way for other Oklahoma cities to follow.”
At this time, no other municipality in Oklahoma is known to have an ordinance of this kind.
Proposed Ordinance 1 | Proposed Ordinance 2
While proponents laud the proposal as a humane approach to managing the city’s free-roaming cat population, a significant point of contention has emerged among residents: the potential for “caregivers” or TNR organizations to access private property to return cats.
The proposed ordinance language aims to create a legal framework for TNR, which involves humanely trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating, ear-tipping, and returning community cats to their original outdoor locations. The proposed ordinance defines “Community Cats” as free-roaming cats without identifiable owners, and “Caregivers” as individuals or organizations that provide them with food, shelter, or medical care.
However, many Guthrie citizens have expressed unease about “Protections for Ear-Tipped Cats,” and the broader implications for private property rights.
This section states that ear-tipped cats “shall be returned to their original location after recovery” unless specific exceptions apply. While one exception allows a property owner to provide “written objection with evidence of ongoing nuisance or threat,” concerns persist that the ordinance, as written, could imply a right for caregivers to enter private land to release cats.
“My biggest fear is that this ordinance would allow anyone – a caregiver as described – to come onto private property to return the cats,” stated one concerned resident who wished to remain anonymous. “We work hard to maintain our property, and the idea of someone coming onto it without permission, even for a well-intentioned reason, is unsettling.”
The proposed ordinance adds, “Animal Welfare personnel may partner with veterinarians, caregivers, and organizations to conduct or support TNR.” Additionally, the ordinance stipulates that the cat must be returned to its original location.
“After recovery from surgery and vaccination, an ear-tipped cat shall be returned to its original location unless veterinary care is still required, the location is demonstrably unsafe, or relocation is necessary.”
Proponents of the ordinance argue that TNR is the most humane and effective method for population control, reducing the number of cats in shelters and limiting reproduction. They emphasize that the goal is to manage cat populations responsibly.
The city council meeting is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and can be viewed on Guthrie News Page.
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