DENTON - A proposed ordinance many soon be reducing the feral cat population in the city of Denton.

Feral cats don't interact with people and feed on bugs and rodents. Many of those cats find themselves caged at the Denton Animal Shelter.

"If they are not sterilized or in managed colonies, you can end up with lots of feral cats in your neighborhood," said Debbie Ihotka, an animal control officer.

One to two cats in a two-year period can produce 80 kittens.

Denton city council members are looking at an ordinance that would allow neighborhoods to trap-neuter and then return the feral cats to the wild.

"I think it is a good idea for the city because it would help over time," Ihotka said.

The Denton Animal Shelter handled more than 1,700 cats last year. Forty-percent of that number was feral cats. The majority of the felines were euthanized.

If the proposed ordinance passes, it could save the city of Denton a lot of money.

The trap-neuter-return program at the University of North Texas campus has provided food and shelter for feral cats for 10 years.

"We reduced our numbers," said Nancy Kelley, UNT Feral Cat Rescue. "The first year they trapped over 120 cats; and we are down to managing 35 to 45 on campus now."

E-mail ddenmon@wfaa.com