On Monday, the Senate Agriculture Committee heard several bills, the most controversial of which was SB 1320 Community Cats by Sen. Darren Soto (D-Kissimmee).

This bill would place in statute a state endorsement of the practice of trap-neuter and release, wherein feral cats are trapped, sterilized and re-abandoned to hard, short lives on the streets—with implications for wildlife, public health and private property rights. In addition to advocates like you sending thousands of emails and phone calls to committee members, a litany of groups provided either letters or testimony in opposition to this bill.

Opponents included: Audubon Florida, Defenders of Wildlife, Florida Wildlife Federation, American Bird Conservancy, the Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation, Florida Veterinary Medical Association, Florida Land Council, and PETA, as well as many private property and business owners impacted by this harmful practice.

Ultimately, the sponsor requested that the bill be “temporarily postponed,” a move offered as a courtesy when committees lack the yes votes to pass a bill. While the bill could return in one of the two remaining Agriculture Committee meetings left this Session, Chairman Bill Montford (D-Quincy) was quoted in the Florida Current saying, “"I think it will be a stretch to get it readdressed this year because of a lack of time and a lack of committee meetings."

The House companion bill passed its first committee two weeks ago but was not added to the agenda for its next committee of reference this week. Thank you Audubon Advocates for lending your voice to wildlife on this issue. The full meeting video can be viewed online by clicking here. Testimony on SB 1320 begins at the 13:45 minute mark.