One of the reasons so many people choose to live in Geneseo is because of its quality of life. We take pride in our neighborhoods. We enjoy our parks, our downtown, and our sense of community. We want Geneseo to remain a place where families want to put down roots.

That doesn't happen by accident. Communities maintain their quality of life by recognizing problems and being willing to address them—even when the solutions aren't easy. The growing feral cat population is one of those issues.

For some residents, it's cats living under decks or in outbuildings. For others, it's flower beds being used as litter boxes, damaged property, late-night fighting, or concerns about wildlife. Those are legitimate concerns that deserve solutions.

One thing that's become clear through recent conversations is that there isn't a simple answer.

The Henry County Humane Society cannot simply take over and fix the issue. They have said that operating a Trap-Neuter-Return program is beyond its current capacity and resources.

If the City chooses to move forward with a community TNR program, it won't happen overnight. Information I’ve found suggests it could require 12 to 20 volunteers, hundreds of volunteer hours each year, and thousands of dollars to make a meaningful impact. The greatest effort would be required during the first couple of years before the population begins to decline.

Residents can disagree about the best way to address the feral cat population. But doing nothing isn't a plan. Left unchecked, the problem will become more difficult and more expensive to address as colonies double in size every year or two.

Geneseo has earned its reputation as a wonderful place to live. Preserving that reputation means facing difficult issues with practical solutions, realistic expectations, and a willingness to invest in the future of the community.

- Laura Bennett