It's time for city officials to take the lead on responding to the out-of-control cat population.

Complaints by homeowners and businesses related to feral cats are nothing new, but the city still has no real policy in place to act.

As it stands now, city hall refers cat problems to a non-profit groups that works to control breeding among homeless cats.

A study on how to proceed was said to be under way in 2002 after the city council voted against a proposal to dedicate $10,000 to a program wherein cat-control organizations could apply for grants to help with their work.

At that time, an “advisory committee” was appointed to study the issue to ensure any expenditures would have a reasonable impact on the problem.

In 2005, the city gave Feral Cat Friends $3,000 to support spay and neuter clinics, and the group later reported that the money paid for trapping, neutering and vaccinating 133 animals, thus preventing 500 unwanted kittens from being born.

But a one-time donation to a community group with limited resources certainly wasn't going to make the problem go away.

The city needs to establish a long-term policy for dealing with this situation.

In the same way that city officials are asked to help curtail noise, vandalism and other things that disrupt neighborhoods, growing populations of feral cats is a quality of life issue, and residents should be able to expect some action when they repeatedly complain about it.

But the city doesn't need to take on this project on its own. There are plenty of organizations and individuals in the community already volunteering their time and talents to this cause.

Perhaps if everyone begins working together, a realistic long-term solution can be established that will benefit city residents and cats, alike.