Feral cat colonies will remain legal in Sparks despite a city official's concern that they could be a liability.
After months of debate, the Sparks City Council on Monday voted down an ordinance that would ban the cats. The council says enforcing such a ban would be expensive and could cause bigger issues.
The vote means colony caretakers can continue to feed, shelter and provide medical assistance to feral cats.
It's hard to tell how many feral cats are in Sparks, but the Nevada Humane Society estimates about 25,000 in Washoe County.
City Attorney Chet Adams was a main supporter of the ban, arguing that feral cats might spread deadly diseases and scare off business.
Washoe County Regional Area Services manages feral cats in Sparks using a trap, neuter, return and monitor system.