Community Cats

Summit Lake Homeowners' Association Board of Directors has determined that the uncontrolled feeding of stray and feral cats within the community leads to uncontrolled breeding of cats and over population of unwanted cats and kittens suffering privation and death, being impounded and euthanized. It is the intention of Summit Lake HOA to foster a community initiative to take every feasible means of reducing the number of unwanted cats and kittens.

Summit Lake is introducing a controlled cat feeding program using a TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return) program that has proven to be the only long term solution to humanely control cat populations.

Community Cat Program

In accordance with Palm Beach County Code of Ordinances (section 4-35), Summit Lake Homeowners' Association establishes the following community cat requirements and rules:

  • All community cats (stray cats with no known owner) must be cared for on the private property of the caregiver and with permission from the property manager otherwise known as Summit Lake Homeowners' Association using Phoenix Management Inc.

  • All community cat caregivers shall have all un-owned free-roaming cats within their care sterilized, implanted with a microchip, vaccinated against rabies, and ear-tipped for easy identification.

  • All community cat caregivers are required to provide certain necessities to each community cat under his/her care on a regular/ongoing basis, including, but not limited to, proper nutrition, adequate quantities of visibly clean and fresh water and medical care as needed. If medical care is unavailable or too expensive, the community cat caregiver must not allow the cat to suffer. Dumping on the ground or dispensing large quantities of food more than will be immediately eaten by the community cats present is prohibited. Feeding areas must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

For a complete copy of the Palm Beach County Community Cats Ordinance Sec. 4-35, visit Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control website.

  • Volunteers are needed to support the community cat program. Do you wish to be a caregiver for Summit Lake's community cats?

  • Are you able and willing to follow the requirements set forth by the Palm Beach County Code of Ordinances Section 4-35?

Requirements:

  1. Provide ongoing proper nutrition (food), adequate quantities of clean and fresh water and medical care as needed.

  2. If medical care is unavailable or too expensive, the community cat caregiver must not allow the cat to suffer.

  3. Feeding areas must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition within your private lot.

  4. Have all free-roaming cats within their care sterilized, implanted with a microchip, vaccinated against rabies, and ear-tipped for easy identification (Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League offers free sterilization and vaccines for community cats aka TNVR).

Summit Lake HOA will establish a list of approved caregivers. Unapproved feeders will be in violation of Summit Lake Homeowners Association rules and may be imposed a fine.

Contact the Board of Directors to become an approved caregiver. www.summitlakeboard@gmail.com