Hundreds of feral cats are euthanized in Durham every year. County leaders could change that soon.

Durham County leaders are scheduled to hear a presentation on Monday night from animal advocates about why they believe that change makes sense.

Durham’s animal shelter director believes it is long overdue.

"Right now, Durham is growing," said Shafonda Allen, the executive director of the Animal Protection Society of Durham. "We are seeing more and more cats every year."

Allen's staff is responsible for euthanizing hundreds of feral cats, every year. In 2019, the staff euthanized 338 cats.

"It's not humane for the people who have to do euthanasia, and it's not humane for the cats who could live a healthy and long live in the community," Allen said.

Allen said the Animal Protection Society of Durham staff cares about the animals and community.

“Having cats come in that are otherwise healthy, knowing that they won't leave alive is devastating and hard for the staff,” Allen said.

Allen said the way the current ordinance is written, it is illegal to trap, neuter and release the cats so any feral cats that are trapped must be euthanized.

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"For every cat that is currently trapped legally in Durham, unfortunately their outcome is euthanasia," Allen said. "It's also a burden on the resources and the people who are caring for them.”

On Monday night, Durham County commissioners will hear praise for a different method.

"I think we can do more for those cats if we are allowed to trap, neuter and release in Durham so that they can stay in the communities where they are comfortable,” Allen said.

"It's the only proven practice to actually bring down the population of community cats," she said.

John Graves is with the animal welfare organization Best Friends. He said euthanasia is not effective at controlling cat populations.

“It's the only proven practice to bring down the population of community cats," Graves said about trapping, neutering, vaccinating and releasing.

County leaders estimate that as of 2020, there were 60,000 feral cats in Durham.

"Whether you are a community cat proponent or you are against it — we all have the want same goal of having fewer cats," Graves said.

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"This will actually cut down on that population of animals that are in the community. That's what we all want to see that animals are well cared for and well fed," Allen said.

According to the presentation County Commissioners will hear, the approach of vaccinating and neutering cats is already in use by 64 other counties in the state, including Wake, Orange and Cumberland.

"Durham is so progressive. We are so progressive in everything we do. We've proven to be so caring. I just think with this, we aren't where we should be, and I would love to see us get where we can be," Allen said.

Allen said she believes many who live in Durham are unaware that the county is – as she sees it – behind.

"I do think that it's going to lead to a healthier, happier community of humans and animals,” she said.

County commissioners are not expected to take a vote on Monday night. Instead, they will have a discussion and likely schedule a public hearing, before making any change to the ordinance.