Woodbridge public forum heats up over TNR, feeding signage and spay/neuter access

An extended public‑comment period at the Woodbridge Township council meeting centered on trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) practices, feeding signage for feral cat colonies and the township’s approach to spay/neuter access.

Multiple residents said the township’s current TNR target—referred to as 100 cats—was too low for a community with widespread colonies. Pauline Rhodes asked where the "100" figure came from and said the town had not met that number during recent years. "When you break that down, it really only is 10 cats per town," she said, questioning whether that scale is sufficient for the community.

Other speakers, including a resident who identified herself as Judy, described dozens of cats in neighborhoods and urged more coordinated volunteer support. Linda Della Picho recounted a case in which 23 cats were abandoned on her block and credited volunteer groups with getting most of them fixed and adopted; she urged clearer expectations for people who feed community cats, saying they should be responsible for cleaning up food and shelter she provided.

Residents pressed the council about a sign at one colony that read "do not feed the cats." Officials said the sign predates the recent controversy and that the ordinance language prohibits feeding unspayed or unneutered animals. A township speaker clarified that spayed/neutered TNR cats can be fed and that, under existing ordinances, a person who assumes care by feeding an animal may assume ownership responsibilities. When pressed about prosecution for feeding spayed/neutered cats, a township official said, "You can't be prosecuted for it" if the animals have been spayed or neutered; the sign will be reviewed.

Several commenters proposed the township host periodic mobile veterinary clinics or fundraisers to increase spay/neuter capacity; township officials said they are "comfortable with the program that we're operating under" through the health department and local vets but welcomed written proposals and further coordination.

The public‑comment exchange included repeated requests for written policy and procedure documents regarding TNR; at least one resident said she had sent materials to the mayor and to staff and had not received a written response. Council members encouraged residents to submit questions in writing or to follow up with administration staff after the meeting.

The close of public comment returned the meeting to the formal agenda; no formal ordinance or immediate policy change was adopted during the meeting on the subject of feeding or TNR.