Rep. Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo, sponsored a bill aimed at lowering feral cat populations statewide through spaying and neutering programs. </p><p>The bill states that governments &#x93;may enact ordinances necessary to establish a community cat program designed to curtail community cat population growth.&#x94;</p><p>Raschein presented the bill to the House Agricultural and Natural Resources subcommittee Wednesday, where it was unanimously approved. </p><p>The Keys are home to numerous feral cat colonies and there are conflicting ideologies on how to deal with the problem. Organizations like Forgotten Felines in the Middle Keys oppose trapping and killing the animals, while others believe feral cats infringe on native habitat. </p><p>Raschein told the Keynoter that Best Friends Animal Society approached her about sponsoring the bill (House Bill 1121). A self-proclaimed &#x93;dog person,&#x94; she said she&#x92;s quite familiar with the feral cat issue in the Keys.</p><p>&#x93;There is a lot of local support for the bill. I got a lot of e-mails from constituents supporting this,&#x94; she said. &#x93;The basis for the bill is it&#x92;s not mandatory. It gives local governments an option if they want to deal with feral cat colonies.&#x94;</p><p>Raschein said she believes that &#x93;down the line, fixed cats make less babies,&#x94; though she understands where organizations like the National Audubon Society are coming from. </p><p>&#x93;Their belief is no feral cats. I love our wildlife, too, and I understand the threat feral cats pose. This just merely defines what a &#x91;community cat&#x92; is and encourages trap, neuter and release,&#x94; she said. </p><p>Raschein also pointed out that feral kittens and suitable feral adults are eligible for adoption, and that unhealthy animals not suitable for release would continue to be euthanized. </p><p>Ocean Reef, an exclusive four-square-mile community in North Key Largo, was once home to as many as 2,000 feral cats. David Ritz, president of the Ocean Reef Community Association, told the Keynoter that population has been reduced to roughly 300 through spaying and neutering. </p><p>&#x93;This is exactly what we&#x92;ve been saying for 20 years. People were concerned about the cat population in the parks, and the endangered animals have all sorts of threats. Cats are one of five to 10 things that cause danger, not the only one,&#x94; Ritz said. </p><p>In late January, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service introduced a plan to trap feral cats in Keys federal refuges. The cats are a threat to native species. </p><p>Raschien&#x92;s staff acknowledges that there is limited about of time left in this legislative session for the bill to pass. </p><p>&#x93;It still has three more committee steps and so the likelihood of it passing is not high,&#x94; Raschein said.