Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Amending Chapter 26, “Animal Control,” by Amending Section 26-1, “Definitions,” Section 26-11, “Number of Dogs and Cats at Residences,” Section 26-14, “Restraint of Animals,” Section 26-33, “Rabies Vaccination Tag Serves as City Registration,” and Section 26-34, “Rabies Vaccination” to Establish Certain Defenses for the Keeping of Feral Cats Under a Trap-Neuter-Release Program
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
(2.2: Continuously provide a high level of customer service to our
citizens)
MEETING DATE: January 6, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Code Services
CONTACT: Phillip Hubbard, Director of Code Services
Hannah Golden, Animal Services Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Adoption of the proposed Ordinance
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Staff is proposing to modify chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances to no longer prohibit Trap-Neuter-Release activities within the City of McKinney
• Currently, City ordinance prevents Trap-Neuter-Release activities within McKinney due to domestic animal restraint requirements and limitations on the total number of dogs and cats allowed at one residence over the age of 3 months. The proposed ordinance amendments would add definitions of “feral cat” and “Trap-Neuter-Release” while creating defenses to the requirement to restraint domestic cats outside of an individual property boundary and limitations on the number of cats allowed to reside at a residence.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• On October 6, 2025, Animal Services presented City Council with an overview of Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programs, outlining benefits such as humane treatment of feral cats and challenges including potential impacts on wildlife. In response, Council directed staff to return with additional information.
• On December 2, 2025, City staff returned and provided multiple scenarios that would no longer prohibit TNR activities within McKinney. These scenarios included modification of existing ordinances and adoption of new definitions to create defenses for individuals participating in TNR activities. At the conclusion of this presentation staff were directed to implement the appropriate ordinance amendments which required the least amount of staff involvement.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A