Mississauga council is moving forward with an enhanced program aimed to help address the city’s thousands of feral cats.

At its Feb. 27 meeting, Mississauga’s general committee passed a staff plan that would provide up to $12,000 in enhancements to the city’s trap, neuter, release and management program.

If given final approval at city council on March 4, the program would neuter or spay, and vaccinate a maximum of 60 feral cats per year. The procedure would also include ear-tipping, which involves a cutting a small piece of a cat’s ear off to indicate that it’s neutered.

According a city staff report, the program changes follow a consultation meeting with local feral cat colony operators and veterinarians, the Toronto Humane Society and Mississauga staff.

Ward 9 Coun. Pat Saito commended city staff on its efforts related to the program, but said “not everyone is going to be happy with the way we're doing this.”

Last year, Mississauga resident Nikki Hayes asked council for funding to help support volunteers taking care of feral cats in the city.

In September, council directed city staff look into what Mississauga is currently doing for feral cats and best practices in other municipalities.

Hayes said the community of feral cat caretakers in the city can trap, neuter and release felines “faster and cheaper” than Mississauga staff and called the program a waste of money.

“$12,000 is a ridiculous amount of money,” Hayes said. “I don't know what they've negotiated and what vet is benefiting from them, but that's ridiculous.”

City staff looked at 10 municipalities to benchmark contributions to similar programs. Markham had the highest level of annual funding, at $5,000, the staff report said.