'Gilbert’s ordinance was created in response to complaints from citizens who live near various Town owned properties where people were feeding feral animals. Rodriguez said his feeding actually allows feral cats to be captured for 'fixing' and helps separate the spayed and neutered strays from the others.Ī Gilbert spokesperson told ABC15 animal control is a county matter. They must be spayed and neutered,' he said. 'It's okay to feed but you must also trap the cats. Rodriguez said the food he provides is not the problem, it is the cats' rapid reproducing. They said the purpose is to 'prevent unsanitary and unsafe conditions.' The town said the ordinance came as a response to citizen complaints. 'I am one of many people in Gilbert who is not going to stand by and let a helpless, innocent animal starve to death.' 'I would like the town to rescind the ordinance,' said Rodriguez. The $100 fine is hardly a deterrent for a guy who spends 'approximately $500 a month' and at least three hours every night driving around town and leaving food and water for groups of strays. 'I was putting some food out for seven homeless cats I was stopped by two Gilbert police officers who proceeded to give me a ticket,' said Rodriguez, who has been feeding feral cats for 13 years. Paul Rodriguez is the only person to be caught violating the ordinance and fined. What is not legal is feeding cats on town property or sidewalks. Tom said his problems are because his neighbor feeds the cats on the next door property, which is legal. 'The whole front of the house has cat pee stains.' 'We counted like 32 cats in the backyard,' he said. Mischke said now feral felines haunt his home day and night.

Tom Mischke said the takeover began gradually around his home. The citation came after Gilbert passed an ordinance in May that made it 'unlawful to feed, or place food for any wild or feral animal on town-owned property or a public right-of-way.'

One Valley man was fined $100 for feeding feral cats.

Feeding feral cats download