The Town of Essex is taking a program meant to help reduce the number of roaming cats a step further this year.
Council agreed to hire an animal control officer who'll trap cats, which will be spayed and neutered then released.
Essex Ward 4 councillor Sherry Bondy says $13,000 has been set aside for the program.
Councillors have also agreed to approve the spay and neuter voucher program for cats which have a home but spend time outdoors.
Bondy says under the program cats are beneficial to the community by keeping pests like rodents in check.
