"Trap, neuter, return is kind of a new and forward-thinking alternative to what the shelter has been doing for years, which I guess you could say, is trap, neuter, destroy,” said Joel Klose, Elmira Animal Control Sergeant.

Instead of taking in cats and eventually euthanizing some, volunteers trap, sterilize, and return cats to the streets. The cats don't breed or leave areas open for new ones to fill.

Volunteers have started a tnr effort in one Elmira neighborhood, and the animal control officer said it's working.

"The life that we've seen for the cats now that they're neutered, and the reduction of problems have been very notable,” said Klose.

The shelter director says he'd love to help more cats by expanding the TNR program citywide. But right now state law is pretty specific about what municipalities can do.

A new way of animal control

Leaders in Corning and Elmira are finding themselves having to go through the state to change the approach to managing their cat populations. Both cities are interesting in pursuing trap, neuter, return, or TNR programs. Our Kat De Maria tells us what TNR is and what's stopping area municipalities from going through with it.

Huntley said lawmakers originally may not have considered truly stray animals.

"It's in an area that is not adequately addressed by the law as currently constructed,” said Huntley.

If state legislators do clarify the law.

"We're determined we're going to be on the cutting edge,” said Klose.

Of converting others to TNR.

Corning leaders last year, and Elmira leaders just this week, have reached out to state lawmakers to help clarify the animal control laws.