Morgan Introduces Legislation to Protect Public Health, Lower Local Costs Through Trap-Neuter-Return Framework for Stray Cats
State Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) introduces House Bill 6317.
LANSING, Mich., Aug. 27, 2026 — State Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) introduced legislation yesterday establishing a statewide framework for Trap-Neuter-Return programs, giving local governments a practical, cost-effective way to manage stray cat populations, cut shelter expenses and protect public health.
“Local taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill for endless, expensive cycles of trapping and euthanizing stray cats when there’s a practical solution that actually works,” Morgan said. “When communities face growing stray populations, it strains local budgets, creates public health risks with preventable diseases like rabies and leaves neighborhoods dealing with worsening rodent issues. This bill gives our cities and towns the clear legal tools they need to protect public safety, save tax dollars and address the issue humanely.”
“We strongly support this legislation because Trap-Neuter-Return is the only humane and effective way to reduce overpopulation,” said Tanya Hilgendorf, president and CEO of the Humane Society of Huron Valley. “It means more cats vaccinated and sterilized, fewer kittens born outdoors and more friendly cats and kittens finding loving homes. We’re incredibly grateful to Representative Jason Morgan, a devoted cat lover and true champion for animals, for recognizing that compassion and smart public policy belong together. This bill is a big win for cats, the people who care for them and the communities we all share.”
House Bill 6317 defines “community cats” as an unowned, free-roaming cat without an identified owner and sets clear operational standards for Trap-Neuter-Return programs. Under the bill, cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated against rabies and common feline diseases, ear-tipped for easy visual identification and returned to their original location. House Bill 6317 clarifies that returning a vaccinated and neutered cat to its original location is not considered abandonment under state or local law, protecting volunteer caretakers and non-profit program sponsors from being fined or treated as legal owners, as long as program standards are followed and reasonable efforts are made to rehome socialized cats.
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