HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/15/2006 B AK ER S FI EL D
· Zack' Scrivner, Chair
Sue Benham
David Couch
Staff: Alan ChristenSen
MEETING NOTICE
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE
of the City Council - City of Bakersfield
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
1:00 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room
Second Floor- City Hall, Suite 201
1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA
AGENDA
1. ROLL CALL
2. ADOPT JULY 18, 2006 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Review and Committee voting recommendation on the League of California
Cities' annual resolutions - Christensen
B. Review and Committee recommendation on citizen's request for an ordinance to
regulate cats - Christensen
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. Review and Committee recommendation on Noise Complaints/Cool Parents
Ordinance - Gennam
B. Review and Committee recommendation on City Annexation Policy -
Christensen
6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
7. ADJOURNMENT
B A K E R S F I E L D
~ ~ Zack Scrivner, Chair
Staff: Alan Christensen Sue Benham
For: Alan Tandy, City Manager David Couch
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 1:00 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room, Suite 201
Second Floor - City Hall, 1501 T~uxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA
· -1. ROLL CALL'
Called to Order at 1:00 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers Zack Scrivner, Chair; and David Couch
Councilmember Sue Benham ardved at 1:20 p.m.
2. ADOPT JUNE 20, 2006 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
/
Adopted as submitted.
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Committee recommendation on City voting delegate and alternate to the
League of California Cities Annual Conference
Assistant City Manager Alan Chdstensen explained the League's Annual
Conference is scheduled for September 6-8 in San Diego. On Saturday,
September 9th, at its Business Meeting the League membership will consider
and vote on resolutions that establish League policy. Every year the City
Council by resolution designates a voting delegate and an alternate.
Committee Member David Couch volunteered to be the delegate and made a
motion the Committee forward a recommendation to the Council to designate
him (Councilmember David Couch) as the delegate and City Manager Alan
Tandy as the alternate delegate. The Committee unanimously approved the
motion (Committee Member Sue Benham absent).
="' LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE Page 2
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT D~AFT
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
B. Review and Committee recommendation on cost recovery for Noise
Complaints/Cool Parents Ordinance
City Attorney Ginny Gennaro reported on a survey of other cities, requested by
the Committee, to compare Bakersfield's ordinances covedng responses to loud
and unruly events that allow for cost recovery with other cities' ordinances. The
comparison survey showed Bakersfield's ordinances and cost recovery program
are very good.
The survey did show one improvement that could be made. The CitY's
ordinance covering loud and unruly events (noise complaints) imposes cost
recovery if the Police Department must respond twice within a 12-hour period.
The City Attorney recommended changing this section by adding "or two (or
four) times within a 30-day period."
The Committee was in agreement with adding 'the wording "or twice within a
30-day period."
Police Captain Tim Taylor was in agreement with giving the Police the extra tool
by adding "or twice within a 30-day period" to the ordinance.
In response to a question, the City Attorney explained in order to charge more
than actual cost recovery, it would be necessary to go through the
Administrative Hearing Process, but the City must provide an appeals process.
Even then there is a maximum of $1,500. The police would cite as an infraction
or misdemeanor and let the courts handle it using the City's prosecution
program to try to get the maximum under State law.
Mrs. Nancy Chaffin spoke regarding the County's "Cool Parents Ordinance" and
wanted to ensure the City's ordinance provides that parents are cited the first
time Police go out on a noise complaint if there is under-aged drinking.
Captain Tim Taylor responded if the Police go out on a noise complaint and
observe under-aged drinking, under current law the Police can immediately
charge the under-aged youths and take them into custody or release them to
their parents, and cite those providing liquor to under-aged youths if it is
apparent. The Fourth Amendment must still be followed, as you cannot search
a house without a warrant. Only the civil noise complaint, would require a
second response before action is taken.
Dianne Hardisty, The Bakersfield Californian, spoke regarding parents leaving
town and their children having a drinking party in the home being included as an
offense under the Cool Parents Ordinance.
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE Page 3
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Tuesday, July 18, 2006 D AFT
Police Captain Tim Taylor responded parents can be cited and fined, but it is
difficult to prove the parents had knowledge of the drinking.
Committee Member Sue Benham made a motion for staff to prepare a "Cool
Parents Ordinance" similar to the County's ordinance, but add if there is
under-aged drinking there is a citation the first time the Police are called, not a
warning; and change the wording on the ordinance covering noise complaints to
add "or twice in a 30-day period." The Committee unanimously approved the
motion.
City Attomey Ginny Gennaro will make the changes to the ordinances on loud
and unruly events (noise complaints); and prepare a "Cool Parents Ordinance"
and bdng it back to the Committee.
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. Review and Committee recommendation on City Annexation Policy
(This item heard after New Business, Item A)
Assistant City .Manager Alan Chfistensen reported at its last meeting the
Committee requested staff to survey other cities in California and Kern
County to find out if any cities other than Bakersfield have a written
pre-annexation policy.
City Clerk Pam McCarthy reported on the resUlts received from other cities.
None of'the responding cities have. a formal wdtten policy. Cities in Kern
County answering the survey all responded they only follow LAFCO
regulations (State law). It was noted very few cities responded to the
survey. However,' it is typical of City Clerk's, as they are very busy, to only
respond to surveys if there is information to provide regarding the survey
questions.
Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen reported on staff's
recommendation. After completing a couple of inhabited annexations, the
only complaints received were that the.process took too long. A strikeout-
redlined version of the annexation resolution and mission statement was
included in the Committee packet, which showed staff's proposed changes.
City Attorney Ginny Gennaro stated the City Attorney's Office has not
changed its legal opinion (different from staff's recommendation), which is
for the City to keep the Mission Statement, repeal the entire resolution, and
follow State law. This opinion is to protect the City from litigation. State law
has made it very clear the State intends to occupy this area in order that
annexations are handled the same Statewide. LAFCO is now the lead
agency, and the City's Annexation Mission Statement covers the manner in
which the City is to conduct the pre-annexation process.
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE · Page 4
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT -
Tuesday, July 18, 2006 ~. ~ ·
Becky Kaiser asked if anyone had spoken with'Bill Turpin, LAFCO,
regarding his opinion of cities' having a pre-annexation policy. "' .'
Assistant City Manager Alan Chdstensen responded it was his
understanding from the last meeting that if a survey were done of other
cities and the results were that none of the cities have a .written policy, that
was sufficient.
Barbara Fields spoke in support of having a written pre-annexatiOn policy.
Committee' Member David Couch explained the reasons for the review of
the City's. policy are 1) State law has changed; and 2) there were complaints
from recent inhabited annexations that the process took too Iong~
Becky Kaiser spoke is support of having .a written pre-annexation policy.
Barbara Fowler spoke regarding the importance of contacting Mr. Turpin
regarding his Opinion and in support of having a written pre-annexation
policy.
The Committee agreed for staff to contact Mr. Turpin or Mr. Schroeter from
LAFCO to'see if there is a LAFCO opinion on cities' having or not having.a
wdtten pre-LAFCO process.
6. cOMITTEE COMMENTS
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjOurned at 2:35 p.m.
Staff: .. Assistant City Manager Alan Chdstensen; City Attomey Ginny Gennaro; Police
Captain Tim Taylor; and City' Clerk Para McCarthy
Others present: Fred Hupp; Barbara J. Fields; Barbara Fowler; BeCky Kaiser; David
Burger, reporter, The Bakersfield Californian; Dianne Hardisty, The Bakersfield
Californian; Nancy Chaffin; Hipolito R. Rocha; and camera crews from KBAK-TV and
KGET-TV
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council
S:~AC\06 Leglslative&Litigati0n\LL 06 jul 18 summary.doc
B A K E R S F I E L D
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MEMORANDUM
August 10, 2006
TO: LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE
FROM: ALAN CHRISTENSEN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: REVIEW OF LEAGUE'S ANNUAL RESOLUTIONS
There are four proposed resolutions that will be voted on at the League's Annual
Conference on September 6-9, 2006. Traditionally, the proposed League resolutions
are reviewed by the Legislative and Litigation Committee with recommendation to
Council. The Council then determines the City's positions and provides direction to the
City's Voting Delegate to vote accordingly. As the City's representative, the Voting
Delegate has the authority to forward the COuncil's agenda as proposed resolutions
change during the course of the Annual Conference, in keeping with the Council's
historical directive.
The League's recommended resolutions are attached for your consideration.
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Alan Tandy, City Manager
S:XAC\06 Legislative&Litigation\Cover Memo for League Resolutions.doc
WWW. CACITIES.ORG
July 19, 2006
TO: MaYors, City Managers and City Clerks
League Board of Directors
General Resolutions Committee Members
Members, League Policy Committees to Which Resolutions Are Referred
RE: Annual Confeience Resolutions Packet
Notice of League Annual Meeting
Enclosed please find the 2006 Annual Conference Resolutions packet.
Annual ConferenCe in San Diego. This year's League Annual Conference Will be held
September 6-9 at the San Diego Convention Center. The conference announcement has
previously been sent to all cities and we hope that you and your colleagues Will be able to join us.
More information about the conference is available on the League's website at
www.cacities.org/ac. We look forward to welcoming city officials to the conference.
Annual Business Meeting - September 9, 8:30 a.m. The League's Annual Business Meeting
will be held on Saturday, September 9, 8:30 a.m. at the Marriott Marina Hotel, located adjacent to
the San Diego Convention Center.
Resolutions Packet. At the Annual Conference, the League Will consider the four resolutions
introduced by the July 10 deadline and included in this packet. We request that you distribute this
packet to your city council.
We encourage each city council to consider the resolutions and to determine a city position so that
your voting delegate and alternate can represent your city's position on each. A copy of the
resolutions packet is posted on the League's website for your convenience:
www.cacities.org/resOlutions.
The resolutions packet contains additional information related to consideration of the resolutions
at the Annual Conference. This includes the date, time and location of the meetings at which
resolutions will be considered.
Voting Delegates. Each city council is encouraged to designate a voting delegate and alternate to
represent their city at the Annual Business Meeting. A letter asking city councils to designate
their voting delegate and alternate has already been sent to each city. We invite your city's
participation in this important League meeting to help develop League policy.
, Please Bring This Packet to the Annual Conference ,
I I
, September 6 - 9, San Diego
ge
INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES
RESOLUTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS PACKET. This year, four resolutions have been introduced
for consideration by the Annual Conference and referred to the League policy committees. The League
bylaws provide that resolutions shall be referred by the president to an appropriate policy committee for
review and recommendation. Resolutions with committee recommendations shall then be referred to the
General Resolutions Committee at the Annual Conference.
POLICY COMMITTEES. Three policy committees will meet at the Annual Conference on Wednesday,
September 6, at the Marriott Marina Hotel, located adjacent .to the Convention Center. The Administrative
· Services Policy Committee will meet from 10:30 a.m. - Noon., and the Community Services and Public Safety
Policy Committees will meet from 1 - 2:30 p.m. The sponsors of the resolutions were notified of the time and
location of the meeting. Please see page iii for the meeting schedule.
THE GENE ~RAL RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE will meet at 1:30 p.m., on Friday, September 8,
at the San Diego Convention Center to consider the reports of the three policy committees regarding the
four resolutions. This committee includes one representative from each of the League's regional divisions,
. functional departments, and standing policy committees, as well as additional city officials appointed by
the League president.
. THE CONCLUDING GENERAL SESSION/ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING will convene at 8:30
a.m. on Saturday, September 9, at the Marriott Marina Hotel, San Diego.
PETITIONED RESOLUTIONS. For those issues that develop after the normal 60-day deadline, a
resolution may be introduced With a petition signed by designated voting delegates of 10 percent of all
member cities (48 valid signatures required) and presented to the Voting Delegates Desk no later than 24
hours prior to the time set,for convening the Annual Business Session of the General Assembly. This year,
the deadline is 8:30 a.m.} Friday, September 8. If the parliamentarian finds that a petitioned resolution 'is
substantially similar in substance to a resolution already under consideration, the petitioned resolution
will be disqualified by the General Resolutions Committee.
Resolutions can be viewed on the League's website: www.cacities.org/resolutions.
Any questions concerning the resolutions procedure should be directed to Linda Welch Hicks at the League
office: lhicks(~,,cacities.org or (916) 658-8224.
II.
GUIDELINES FOR ANNUAL
CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS
Policy development is a vital and ongoing process within the League. The principal means for deciding
policy on the important issues facing cities and the League is through the League's eight standing policy
committees and the board of directOrs. The process allows for timely consideration of issues in a
changing environment and assures city officials the oppOrtunity tO both initiate and influence policy
decisions.
Annual conferencCresolutions constitute an additional way tO develop League policy. Resolutions
should adhere tO the following criteria.
Guidelines for Annual Conference Resolutions
1. Only issues that have a direct bearing on municipal affairs should be considered or adopted at the
Annual Conference.
2. The issue is not of a purely local or regional concern.
3. The recommended policy should not simply restate existing League policy.
4. The resolution should be directed at achieving one of the following objectives:
(a) Focus public Or media attention on an issue of major importance to cities.
Co) Establish a new direction for League policy by establishing general principals around which
more detailed policies may be developed by Policy committees and the Board of Directors.
(c) Consider important issues not adequately addressed by the policy committees and Board of
Directors.
(d) Amend the League bylaws.
ii
III. ·
LOCATION OF MEETINGS
Policy Committee Meetings
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Marriott Marina Hotel
(Located adjacent to the Convention Center)
333 W. Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-1500 adjacent
10:30 a.m. - Noon 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Administrative Services Community Services
Public Safety
Note: The following committees will NOT meet as there were no resolutions referred to
them: Employee Relations; Environmental Quality; Housing, Community & Economic
· Development; Revenue and Taxation; Tranportation, Communication & Public Works
GeneraI Resolutions Committee
Friday, September 8, 2006,
San Diego Convention Center
111 W. Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 525-5000
Concluding General Session/Annual Business Meeting
Saturday, September 9, 2006, 8:30 a.m.
Marriott Marina Hotel
(Located adjacent to the Convention Center)
333 W. Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-1500
!11
IV.
KEY TO ACTIONS TAKEN ON RESOLUTIONS
Resolutions have been grouped by policy committees to which.they have been assigned.
Number Key Word Index Reviewing Body Action
I I I 1 I 2 I 3
1 - Policy Committee Recommendation
to General Resolutions Committee
2 - General Resolutions Committee
3 - General Assembly
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES POLICY COMMITTEE
1 2 3
Annual Conference Resolutions Procedures
Alternate Voting Delegates - Bylaws Amendment
COMMUNITY SERVICES POLICY COMMITTEE
1 2 3
Health and Wellness in Cities [ I II
PUBLIC SAFETY POLICY COMMITTEE
1 2 ,3
I 4 [FOrfeiture Of Vehicles Used in Illegal Speed COntestsand Exhibitions of Speed
NOTE: NO RESOLUTIONS WERE ASSIGNED TO THESE POLICY COMMITTEES:
Employee Relations RevenUe and Taxation
Environmental Quality Transp., Communication & Public Works
Housing, Comm. & Economic Dev.
RESOLUTIONS INITIATED BY PETITION
General
Resolutions General
Committee Assembly
Recommendation Action
iv
KEY TO ACTIONS TAKEN ON RESOLUTIONS (Continued)
KEY TO REVIEWING BoDIEs KEY TO ACTIONS TAKEN
1. Policy Committee A - Approve
2. General Resolutions Committee D - Disapprove
3. General Assembly N - No Action
R - Refer to appropriate policy committee for
study
Action Footnotes a - Amend
Aa - Approve as amended
* Subject matter covered in another resolutiOn
Aaa - Approve with additional amendment(s)
** Existing League policy
Ra - Amend and refer as amended to
*** Local authority presently exists appropriate policy committee for study
Raa - Additional amendments and refer
Da - Amend (for clarity or brevity) and
Disapprove
Na - Amend (for clarity or brevity) and take No
Action
W - Withdrawn by Sponsor
Procedural Note: Resolutions that are approved by the General Resolutions Committee, as well as all
qualified petitioned.resolutions, are reported to the floor of the General Assembly. In addition, League policy
provides the following procedure for resolutions approved by League policy committees but not approved by
the General Resolutions Committee.
Every resolution initially recommended for approval and adoption by all the League policy committees to
which the resolution is assigned, but subsequently recommended for disapproval, referral or no action by the
General Resolutions Committee, shall then be placed on a consent agenda for consideration by the General
Assembly. The consent agenda shall include a brief description of the bases for the recommendations by both
the policy· committee(s) and General Resolutions Committee, as well as the recommended action by each. Any
voting delegate maY make a motion to pull a resolution from the consent agenda in order to request the
opportunity to fully debate the resolution. If, upon a majority vote of the General Assembly, the request for
debate is approved, the General Assembly shall have the opportunity to debate and subsequently vote on the
resolution.
V
V
2006 ANNUAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICF~$ POLICY COMMITTE~
1. RESOLUTION RELATING TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTION
PROCEDURES
Source: League Board of Directors
Referred to: Administrative Services Policy Committee
Recommendation to General Resolutions Committee:
WHEREAS, in November 2005, the League Board of Directors authorized the League President
to appoint a committee consisting of board members and others to revieTM the League's Annual
Conference Resolution process and to recommend any changes; and
WHEREAS, the committee identified several opportunities to improve the resolutions process,
which range from substantive changes to technical clarifications; and
WHEREAS, these recommendations were considered by the League's Administrative Services
Policy Committee and Board of Directors; and
WHEREAs, because any'policies included in a resolution approved by the membership would
not take effect until after the close of the 2006 Annual Conference, the League Board of Directors has
adopted these recommendations as policies on an interim basis for the 2006 Annual Conference
Resolution process; and
WHEREAS, the League Board of Directors proposes this Annual Conference Resolution to
provide League member cities the opportunity to review and approve the changes proposed for 2007 and
beYOnd; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED,' by the General Assembly of the League of California Cities assembled in Annual
Conference in San Diego, 'September 9, 2006, that the following policies be adopted to guide the
League's Annual Conference Resolutions Process.
1. Debate During Consideration of Resolutions
A. At policy committees, the General Resolutions Committee and General Assembly, the
presiding officials shall have the option to set time limits on speakers and request that
speakers not repeat statements made by previous speakers.
B. City officials who are League members and others shall be permitted to speak at policy
committee meetings when policy committees are considering resolutions. Only League
members shall be permitted to SPeak at the General Resolutions Committee. However, if a
League member requests, through the chair, that a non-member individual be permitted to
speak to a resolution, the chair may permit that individual to briefly address the
Committee. Only League members shall be permitted to speak at the General Assembly.
2. Moving Resolutions through the General Resolutions Process
' A. The League reaffirms its policy adopted in 1998 by Annual Conference Resolution #2, that
those resolutions that are approved by a policy committee or committees to which they
were assigned but not approved by the General Resolutions Committee shall move forward
to the General Assembly on a separate consent calendar.
B. All petitioned resolutions meeting the requirements of the League bylaws shall move from
the General Resolutions Committee to the General Assembly, regardless of the
recommendation of the General Resolutions Committee.
C. For all other resolutions, only those that are approved by the General Resolutions
Committee shall move forward to the General Assembly for consideration.
3. Credentials Committee
A. The President of the City Attorneys Depa,hnent shall recommend to the League President
a city attorney to serve as an advisor to the credential committee to assist them in resolving
credentials or voting eligibility questiOns.
4. Policy Regarding Advocacy Positions
A. The League reaffirms its 1953 policy regarding League positions on ballot measures and
legislation:
The League should "...take action only on matters that arc of broad'municipai
interest [emphasis in original]. In other words, it is preferable that the League act
only on those matters that arc of concern to a large number of cities, rather than to
the cities of a given area or to an individual city. Similarly, it is unsound for thc
League to take an active position on a subject when the cities in the state arc about
equally divided on each side of the issue. It has been the attitude of thc board to
attempt to resolve these issues so that a large majority of cities are on one side or
the other."
5. Voting Procedures
A. The configuration of the room in which the General Assembly is held shall be arranged so
that the voting delegates and alternates are seated in one area of the room and the other
attendees are seated in an other area of the room; and
B. Only those voting delegates and alternates with the appropriate identifying stamps on their
conference name badges shall be admitted to the voting delegate area of the General
Assembly.
6. Amendments of Petitioned Resolutions
A. The General Resolutions Committee may not make amendments to petitioned resolutions;
B.If the General Resolutions Committee Wishes, it may recommend by a majority vote to the
General Assembly technical or clarifying amendments to a petitioned resolution;
C.SUbstantive amendments that change the intent of the petitioned resolution may only be
adopted by the General Assembly.
2. RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE NUMBER OF ALTERNATE VOTING
DELEGATES A CITY MAY DESIGNATE - BYLAWS AMENDMENT
(2/3rds vote required to approve)
Source: League Board of Directors
Referred to: Administrative Services Policy Committee
Recommendation to General Resolutions Committee:
WHEREAS, the General Assembly at the League of California Cities' Annual Conference is an
opportunity for League members to shape League policy; and
WHEREAS, the League bylaws provide that each League member city has one vote at the
General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, to exercise this right to vote at the General Assembly, the League bylaws require
that the city council in each League member city designate a voting delegate to represent it;' and
WHEREAS, to provide for any unforeseen inability of the city's voting delegate to attend the
General Assembly, the bylaws also allow the city council in each League member city to designate an
alternate voting delegate; and
WHEREAS, periodically a number of cities have found themselves in a situation in which
neither their voting delegate nor their alternate was able to attend the General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, the League desires that all member cities participate in the General Assembly so
that resolutions adopted at the General Assembly reflect the full perspective of the League's
membership; and
WHEREAS, allowing member cities to designate an additional voting delegate alternate will
encourage such full participation in the General Assembly; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, by the General Assembly of the League of California Cities assembled in Annual
Conference in San Diego, September 9, 2006, that the League allow city councils in member cities to
designate one voting delegate and up to two alternates by amending~ section 3 of Article V (Membership
Meetings) of the League bylaws as follows:
Section 3: City Delegates as General Assembly.
(a) Designation. Each Member City may, with the approval of the city council, designate a city
official as the city's designated voting delegate o~ and, in the event that the designated voting
delegate is unable to serve in that capaci _ty, up to two alternate voting delegates.
Co) Membership Decision'making Body. Designated voting delegates (or their alternates)
constitute the League's General Assembly.
(c) Registration for Annual Conference. For General Assemblies held in conjunction with' the
Annual Conference, designated voting delegates must register to attend the Annual Conference
Bylaw language additions are indicated by underlining; deletions are indicated by :x~z zut:.
Background Information on Resolutions #1 and 02
Source: League Board of Directors
Titles: Resolution Relating to Annual Conference Resolution Procedures
· Resolution Relating to the Number of Alternate Voting Delegates a City May
Designate - Bylaws Amendment
Baekgrouad: .
At its November 2005 meeting, the League Board of Directors authorized the League President
to appoint a committee consisting of board members and others to review the issues and problems related
to the League's Annual Conference resolutions process and to recommend changes to remedy the
problems. The changes would be accomplished either through an Annual Conference resolution, new
board policy, changes to internal League procedures, or other mechanisms. The Committee included the
following individuals:
Pat Eklund, Council Member, Novato (Chair)
Paul Leullig, Council Member, Barstow
Kara Ueda, Assistant City Attorney, Davis
Debbie Cook, CoUncil Member, Huntington Beach
Pamyla Means, City Clerk, Irvine
Marland Townsend, former Council Member, Foster City
The need for the committee stems from the difficult and often divisive experience at last year's
Annual Conference related to Proposition 76. Issues and problems that arose at the conference included
whether petitioned resolutions can be amended by the General Resolutions Committee, whether the
League should take a position on a ballot measure where the membership is divided, how to fairly
provide opportunities for public comment at the conference, and perceived inappropriate lobbying of
voting delegates of the resolution at the conference by supporters and opponents of Proposition 76.
In addition, prior to and during the conference, city officials and League staff identified other
· issues and procedures related to the resolutions process that warrant evaluation and potential
modification. Some are minor, technical modifications or procedural changes, while others involve
resolving inconsistencies between the provisions of the League bylaws and the League's historical
practices or resolving ambiguities in our procedures.
Committee Review Process: The Annual Conference Resolutions Process Committee met by
conference call four times to discuss and make recommendations on the following Annual Conference
ResolUtions process topics·
1. Resolutions - Referral to Policy Committees and Moving Resolutions from General Resolutions
Committee to General Assembly
2. General Resolutions Committee and General Assembly - Pubic Comment
3. Credentials Committee
4. Voting Delegates
5. Resolutions - Procedures Related to Multiple Petitioned Resolutions that are Identical or Similar
6. Resolutions Related to League Positions on Ballot Measures
7. Voting and Lobbying at the General Assembly
8. Resolutions - Amending Petitioned Resolutions
The Administrative Services Policy Committee reviewed the committee's recommendations in
March and unanimously adopted the recommendations from the special committee. The League Board
4
,- ,, concurred and approved the recommendations, with the exception of the recommendation related to
amending petitioned resolutions. The Board modified the recommendation regarding amendment
petitioned resolutions to clarify that petitioned resolutions may not be amended by the General
Resolutions Committee.
Implementation for 2006: In addition to the items included in this resolution, the Committee
and Board adopted a number of procedural changes that have been or will be implemented through
internal staff procedures. For example, consistent with the League's bylaws, cities must demonstrate that
designation of their voting delegates and alternates are the result of council action. In the past, some
cities have provided documentation of council action (or affirmed that the designation reflects council
action), but many cities did not. The League has reaffirmed this requirement in voting delegate the
information sent to cities.
As stated in the resolution, because the Annual Conference Resolution acted upon at the 2006
conference will not go into effect until the 2007 conference, the Board of Directors has adopted, as an
interim policy, the substance of the resolution so that it can be implemented in 2006. The exception is
the recommendation to increase the number of alternate voting delegates to two.
Bylaws Change: The committee recommended, and the Administrative Services Policy
Committee and Board agreed, that the number of voting delegate alternates that cities may designate
should be increased from one to two. This is recommended to provide greater flexibility to cities and city
officials who have last minute problems with travel plans and so that their city can participate in the
General Assembly and be able to cast a vote on the resolutions This requires a bylaws change, which
must pass by a two-thirds vote to be adopted. Resolution No. 2 would implement this recommendation.
As a bylaws.change, it requires a 2/3 vote to be approved.
IIIIIIIIII
RESOLUTION REFERRED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES POLICY COMMITTEE
3. RESOLUTION RELATING TO ENCOURAGING HEALTH AND WELLNESS
IN CITIES
Source: Community Services Policy Committee, and. '-
Recreation, Parks & Community Services Department
Referred to: Community Services Policy Committee
Recommendation to General Resolutions Committee:
WHEREAS, in 2004, the League adopted an Annual Conference resoluti°n to encourage cities to
embrace policies that facilitate activities to promote healthier lifestyles and communities, including
healthy diet and nutrition and the adoption of city design and planning principles that enable citizens of
all ages and abilities to undertake exercise; and '
WHEREAS, one of the League of California Cities strategic goals for 2006 is to promote and
develop safe and healthy cities; and
WHEREAS, the members of the League's Recreation, Parks Community Services Department,
which consists of professionals within city departments such as parks and recreation, libraries and human
services, has expertise in the field of healthy cities; and
WHEREAS, the City, County, State (CCS) Parmership, of Which the League is a member, is
encouraging local government to adopt and promote policies and programs that address issues of health
and well-being; and
WHEREAS, many cities currently provide health and wellness programs, promote planning
principles that provide a healthy environment, and have excellent examples of successful programs; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the General Assembly of the League of California Cities assembled in Annual
Conference in San Diego, September 9, 2006, that the League, in cooperation with the Community
Services Policy Committee, the Recreation, Parks and Community Services Department, and the CCS
Partnership, work together to develop a clearinghouse of information that cities can use to promote
wellness policies and healthier cities; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that this activity take the form of a toolkit on the League's website for cities to
visit in order to share, find and develop successful models of health and wellness to use in their
'respective communities to achieve the goal of safe and healthy cities; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that Health and Wellness programs become a topic for the Helen Putnam Awards
Program beginning in 2007; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the three groups continue to work throughout 2007 in an effort to implement
this resolution.
>>>>>>>>>>
RESOLUTION REFERRED TO PUBLIC SAFETY POLICY COMMITTEE
4. RESOLUTION RELATING TO FORFEITURE OF VEHICLES USED IN ILLEGAL
SPEED CONTESTS AND EXHIBITIONS OF SPEED
Source: City of Elk Grove
Referred to: Public Safety Policy Committee
Recommendation to General Resolutions Committee:
WHEREAS, according to public safety professionals, illegal speed contests and exhibitions of
speed pose a real, serious threat to the health and safety of the public, interfere with pedestrian and
vehicular traffic, create a public nuisance, and interfere with the right of individuals and businesses to
enjoy the use of their property; and
WHEREAS, public health and safety can be enhanced when illegal speed contests and exhibitions
of speed are discouraged and prevented by the enactment of local ordinances that seek to impose forfeiture
of vehicles used in such events as a penalty for illegal speed contests and exhibitions of speed; and
WHEREAS, California state law does not appear to expressly authorize cities or counties to
enact local ordinances that impose vehicle forfeiture as a penalty for illegal speed contests and
exhibitions of speed; and
WHEREAS, consistent with the mission and core beliefs of the League of California Cities,
providing cities and counties with the flexibility in state law to impose the penalty of vehicle forfeiture
6
...... ~ for illegal speed contests and exhibitions of speed enhances public safety and facilitates local control;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the General Assembly of the League of California Cities, assembled in Annual
Conference in San Diego, September 9, 2006, that the League co-sponsor state legislation to expressly
authorize cities and counties to impose vehicle forfeiture as a penalty for illegal speed contests and
exhibitions of speed.
Background Information on Resolution 04
Source: City of Elk Grove
Title: Resolution Relating to FOrfeiture of Vehicles Used in Illegal Speed Contests and
Exhibitions of Speed
Background:
Street racing is a growing concern not just in the City of Elk Grove, but in many communities
statcwide. In order to protect public health, safety, and welfare, cities and counties may seek to enact
ordinances to address this problem, including ones that would impose vehicle forfeiture as a penalty for
illegal speed contests and exhibitions of speed. Unfortunately, state law does not appear to expressly
authorize cities or counties to enact such ordinances and they may be vulnerable to court challenge.
The City of Elk Grove is submitting this resolution to seek. League co-sponsorship of legislation
that would expressly authorize cities or counties to enact local ordinances - at their discretion - that may
impose vehicle forfeiture as a penalty for illegal speed contests and exhibitions of speed.
//////////
[NOTE: No resolutions were assigned to the following policy committees: Employee Relations;
Environmental Quality; Housing, Community & EConomic Development; Revenue and Taxation;
and Transportation, Communication & Public Works.]
7
July 19, 2006
City Clerk's Office
City Hell
1501 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR ADOPTION OF CAT ORDINANCE
Gentlemen:
The following is a request to the Bakersfield City Council for the drafting and adoption of
an ordinance to regulate cats and cat owners. I have a number of reasons for
requesting the adoption of this ordinance which are outlined in the attached document.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this request, please feel free to
contact me in writing at P. O. Box 9334, Bakersfield 93389.
· Sincerely,
Attachments: Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Publication
PETA- Model Spay and Neuter Ordinances
ASPCA- National Shelter Outreach
The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc~ Article
Animal Shellering Article re: Legislation
The Humane Society - Guide to Cat Law
King County Public Health article on Toxoplasmosis
BACKGROUND
I moved into my home in Southwest Bakersfield after marrying my current wife in
August 1993. When I moved into this home, I noticed that there were a large number of
cats prowling the neighborhood. I had also noticed a number of piles'of cat feces
scattered around the yard. There were'probably in excess of 20 cats. However, as the
years have passed, the number of cats has at least doubled, or maybe tripled.
The problems started with the cats almost-immediately afl. er I moved in. I wes working
on my truck in the driveway one evening with the garage door open and I went inside to
get a drink. When l came back outside, I discovered a cat urinating on the inside wall of
my garage. Several days to a week later, another cat had either udnated or sprayed on
the windshield and the intake of my. heating system, of my truck, which wes parked in
my driveway overnight.
There is a roof overhang in front of our home, approximately 285 square feet in area.
When I moved in, approximately 200 square feat consisted of bare dirt planted with
shrubs and ferns. A number of these plants were in need of water, so I started watering
them. Each time I watered these plants, there was this incredible stenchl At that point I
realized that the cats were using this area as a litter box and we needed to get rid of this
cat problem and keep them aw. ?.,y from the front ,of,. oUr home.
Approximately six years ago, I upgraded the exterior of my home. I intended to color
coat my home, install new windows and refinish my front door. When I began to strip
off, what I thought was the finish, I discovered that it wes cat urine and cat spray. My
solid wood front door wes ruined and I ended up replacing the door at a Cost of around
$1,300. After the Improvements were completed, one of the offending cat owners
complimented me on how nice the house looked. I told her it would be perfect if I could
get the neighborhood cats to quit using my property as a toilet. She sneered at me and
stated'thb' f~llbWirig:"There's nothing I can do about it".
After this episode, I purchased a cat trap.
ATTEMPTED SOLUTIONS
My wife and I then started talking with different folks about this cat problem. Based on
our discussions with them we tried Ute following in 'the aforementioned areas of our
yard:
Several gallon milk jugs half-filled with water.
· Crushed red pepper was scattered about.
· Cat and dog'repellent. (This smells like green apples)
FIRST REAL SOLUTION
Finally, I removed most of the Shrubs and bushes in the affected roof overhang area in
1994 and purchased 220 stepping stones (15 518" x 7 518") creating a little patio. The
stepping stones cost approximately $680 plus my time. Since I was working full time
and travelling . oW . ..of town for my job, !.buiItthis patio in phases, apprOximately 2 hours
at a time each evening. The excrement was removed and then the soil was leveled.
When I would come back the next evening, there would be 5 to 10 more piles of feces.
The total project was completed in about two weeks. It was disgusting. This is the only
solution that worked in the immediate vicinity of our front door, and it was only about
70% suCCessful because the cats simply moved farther into the front yard and into an
area by our driveway.
SECOND REAL SOLUTION
To eliminate the cat prOblem by our driveway, I removed a 40-50 foot pine tree and laid
about 4 yards of concrete, all at my expense, using my labor and the labor of several
friends.
ADDITIONAL ATTEMPTED SOLUTIONS
After, the con.crete, was la!d, the Cats simply mOved to other areas of the yard that had
bare dirt and shrubs. The cats even defecated on our sprinkler heads and on the grass,
so we also tried the following:
· Spreading mothballs around the shrubs.
· Spraying a solution of ammonia and water.
· Installing. chicken wire arOund all of the shrubs and plants in the front yard.
These solutions work until you water the lawn. Moth balls are apprOximately $7.00 a
can and I would have had to use at least two cans, four times a week or $56.00 per
week. We have. installed the chicken wire .and it does work. BUt wa have to move it
around when we weed and mow and it is another expense and inconvenience that we
have had to incur.
,. FINAL ATTEMP'.~D SOLUTION '.
I've been trapping the cats and I've taken 10 or 11 of them both to the pound and to the
SPCA. HOwever, the Pound is a 12 mile round trip in .my vehicle and they don't open
until 10:00 AM. This is somewhat inconvenient and gasoline for my vehicle is
expensive.
I did call the Animal Control Department but they won't come out and pick up strays.
Apparently they stated that there is nothing that they can do because the city does not
I
have an Ordinance. The only thing that they seem to emphasize is that you do not hurt
the cats. Then they make all these excuses as to why they can't do their job. It was an
extremely frustrating experience. My tax dollars being wested l
MAIN ISSUES WITH CATS
Following are the main issues that I have with these cats and their owners'and the
reasons, why you should adopt a cat ordinance:
The cats have defecated on my sprinkler heads on several occasions. This last time,
the cat had diarrhea and I witnessed him doing it as I drove up to my house. If
something like this were to occur in the future and if the check valve on my sprinkler
system were to fail, I could end up with E-coli contamination in the drinking water in my
home. This could be considered "Domestic Terrorism".
I have a small scale to weigh my mail. I have weighed one pile of these cat faces and it
was around 1.0 ounce of so when wet. One of the neighbore in my area has between
17 and 19 cats. Assuming these cats defecate at least once a day, they are producing
around 1.0 pounds of untreated sewage every day or approximately 365 pounds per
year. Under the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) these cat
owners might be considered as allowing discharges of untreated wastes. A Small
hazardous waste generator is defined under RCRA as one who generates 10 kg of
hazardous waste per month. These cat owners would qualify.
In my opinion, cats are vermin, just like uncontrolled rats. VVhen they are allowed to run
loose, they kill squirrels, chipmunks, birds, rabbits and other wildlife. Kern County has a
number of identified Endangered Species such as the Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard and
the Giant Kangaroo Rat. The feral cats in the park areas of Kern County are most likely
decimating any of these animals that they encounter, plus they also are taking food
away from Kit Foxes, another Endangered animal.
Another issue that I have with these cats and their, owners is that my wife has two bird
feeders, a bird bath and three humming bird feeders in our back yard. These cats have.
been trespassing into our back yard and they are threatening to kill the birds that we are
attracting and that wa enjoy watching. These cats, and their associated owners are
clearly violating my PERSONAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
FINAL 8OLUTION
Therefore, I feel that it is incumbent upon the Bakersfield City Council to adopt an
ordinance to control the cats that are allowed to roam freely throughout the city.
Evidently their owners are too lazy to clean up after their animals and they simply allow
them to use other people's yards as their pets' litter boxes. They obviously have no
respect for their neighbOrs or their properties.
SCV. A~~. Keeping Your Cats Indoors Page I of 4
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Educational and Hany of Us ~ b~mlng'nw.~ of ~e huge ~11 ~ken on wildll~ Find o~ a~ our mo~
Communl~ popula~ons by dom~c nad ~1 ~. S~dl, done over'~e la~ 50 ~lu~eer ne~s
Outmch yee~ heve demon~.~d ~e ~l.~y h.~ Imp.~ ~ h.ve had
on bl~ popUlB~onS ~ughO~ ~e Wo~d. ~m' ~r'~e numbe~ of ~i~
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~ ~uld be a bu~en ~at many'bl~"PoPulaMOns won't ~ able ~
wl~nd. ' ~'". '" ' :. '''~ ·
Not only are the prey species effected by cat pradati0n~ but also other .... ·
predator species such .as hawks, owls, and coyotes that depend on the
prey species for their natural food supply. The populaUon .densities of
cats, eSpedally in rural areas, can be many times higher, than ~occurs In
predator species In nature, making It difficult.for native predators to....
compete. ·
The good news Is that keeping cats Indoors is also good for the health
and lire expectancy of the cats, and les~ expensive for the cat owners.
The Humane Society of the. United States was quoted in 1992 .
'estimating the everalj~ilfe ~x~n~'of. frbe'maming pets'to be
between 3 and S years, while indoor cats can commonly reach .ages
17 years or more. A nUmber of local community groups, including
Santa Clara Valley Audubon, Santa Clara Valley Humane Society and
Wildlife Kescue are currently trying to educate the public on the
benefits of. keeping .domeatlccats Indoors. Following are some
Important benefits of keeping cats Indoors:
Zndoor cats do not get hit by cars. According to the Santa Clara Valley
· Humane.Society, 57..%,or ail.the animals found dead on the streets
San 3ose In 1996 were cats
Keeping cats Inside keeps them out of fights. ZndOor cats don't get
Injured In fights with other neighborhood cats or wlldllfo. Our big,
white, fluffy male, Ste-Putt ended up at the vet's office with absceSSed
wounds twice after fights with who-knows-whet. Believe me, It wasn~
cheap. This contributed to our' decisiOn to make. Sta-Puft an IndoOr cat.
SCVAS: Keeping Your Cats Indoors Page'~ 6.f
Exposure to diseases and parasites are minimized or eliminated.
..... Diseases such as feline leukemia, rabies, upper resPiratory disease and
feline Immunodeflclency virus can be serious and life-threatening.
Common parasites picked up outdOors by cats Include fleas, ticks and
worms.
Lower veterinary bills. Besides not having to seek emergency attonUon
for cats who have been In fights, kesplng cats' Indoors saves money on
treeting diseases and parasites which ara contracted from other .cats
and wildlife. We were pleased to find out from our vet that In addlUon,
our cats need fewer Yearly shots, now that thaa a.re Indoor cats.
: · . · . .....- Easier and less expensive to keep fleas under control. Newly available
.. ' ' ..: ' ~.:: · medicines, which help keep fleas under control, have to be
. ' ...' :' .. ' · . administered on a continual basis If the cat goes outside. It may be
' .... 'Possible to subdue fleas If the cat stays inside. At present our cats do
· ~:':., '"....'not seem to have any fleas, and we are not using any form of flea
' . · '-, :. "control. The ordeal of a flea bath is essentially a thing of the past.
Indoor cats are safe from neighbors who do not welcome fa!Ina visit°rs
. to their yards. Tn most. Places tt*ls legal-~or i~ropertYowners to b-ap' ' ·"
domestic .a,m.m. als tha~wander on to their properties. Wandering cats
may end up ~t the pound, Or wOrSe, suffer Injury ~rOm angr~ neighbors
trying to drive them off.
Indoor catS.are sefe..fmm Predation by wild animals: In rural areas . ..
especially, cats can become prey themselves. to. predators such ,as
coyotes and Great Homed Owls.
It Is clear that there are,many reuon, to !map cam IndoorA above and.
beyond those relating to.wlldl!fe, producing a "win.Win. sltUation.
Obviously It Is easiest to raise a cat Indoors from the time It is a Idtten,
but It Is also passible to:conVgrt an, 0utd.-oor cat to an indoor cat: For
Ups on how to do this, see adjoining story.
11pa On Turning Outdoor Cats Into Indoor Cat.
We have three Indoor cats. No,.thaa'den~ drive us nuts. At least no
.more. ~an before~ when, thaa went ~utslde;.~lnce we've succass~ully
tamed them ell. Into Indb0r clti,'.! .~dd~d~ IIId~ I~i~ihl're' some of what .
I've learned with other cat owners who want to try keeping their cats
Indoors.
Of the three cats that we have, one was very devoted to' gaing· outside.
Black Bunbuns was on her own'when wa'foUnd her, end had only
gradually become used to staying Inside for extended periods of time.
We had cut all the cats back to only · few hours of outalde time each
evening alter dark, mostly because of Sta-Puit Or Black Bunbuns
bringing home an occaslonolblrd. Alter Sta-Puit had been In his two
big fl~hta (See part ), the last Straw ,me when he began coming
home with finches - at nightll That wes It,.all the cats were grounded.
Yes, they drove us nutall Luckily, Sta-Puit'and our third cat, UncJ. e
Chuc~ only pestered us for a week or two. They were fairly eeslly.
diverted with games of superbells, string and catnip mice; And Biter
all, Sta-Puit's faverlte thing Is eating. The main problem with him is to
keep him from getting too heavy. Black Bunbuns was another story,
though. She wes periodically Insistoot for weeks, It did lessen fairly
steedUy, ,yet graduallyv~uoUl.she gev&up'altogether liter abOut 6 or 8
weeks. It wesn~ as If she was continually In torture from not going
outside. She seemed fairly satisfied when she wasn't meowing to go
out, conseq, uentiy giving us. a break. She did finally take. more .of an.
http://www:scvas.orgtindex.php?page-~ext&id=keepcats ~:.~";~:~'::'~:~,~,:?.:' ~::~:'~?;',~':~':: :'~" .......... '*': ',:~.:'i.:. ~,:,:.~..-:.,~.: :::~-~....: ::... ~ 71.101.2006
~ S.c...'V.,~:...K?_p. i~. your Cats Indoors ' Pal~e 3 of 4
· '~ ~, Interest In playing with string end ramping'with Uncle Chuck.
Following are a number of things which ! think have mede It easier'for
our cats to become established as Indoor cats. When ! say 'easier", !
mean both 'for them and for us. "
Have your cat spayed or neuteredl~! As Well ~s heiplng to address a cat
overpopulation problem that results In thousands of unclaimed 'cats
every year In our county~ .spaying end neutsrlng cause cats to be more
sociable, and lass Inclined to ream. · ·
Having toys around for them to entsrtaln memselves. Catnip mice are
e favorite In our household. ! grow catnip oUtSide, and to keep the
"ratty mice" alluring, every once In a while ! rub catnip leaves on the
corduroy hides of the' ratty-mice. This very successfully renews the
cats' Interest In playing with the.mice (and entertains us greatly).
Haklng i~i,cas' a..vallable for'mem.:to.
bask In me m0m'lng suil; es' ~ell'~e'wit~"Wiidjjfe'and hUman a~VlUes
outside. Sts-Pul~ IS beside himself with exdtsment every Ume the'"
squirrels run down the window sill In front of his favorite spot.
]solete the cat box(es) so that periodic Odors a~e'not disruptive to the
human Inhabitants of the household. Many people choose the
bathroom. ! chose the garage and Installed a cat door In the door
between the house and the garage, to minimize odors even ~urther.
We rent, so we actually bought s new door so we could leave the
landlord's door Intecl~
Offset Increased cat box use (and litter purchases) with litter
conservation techniques. There ere ways to reduce cat litter usage, but · ',
(sorryll) they all Involve "sieving". ! haven't yet reached a decision as
to which method Is more efficient. Recently !~e started using the
"clumping" cat litter, and find that it reduces cat litter usage. Before
that ! developed a cat box setup that Involved.a section of newspaper
and a larger-than-cat box sized piece of some fine mesh flexible screen
(like that used for screen doors) The newspaper wes placed In the.
'bOttom of the cat box'end the ~:reen Wes placed over the newspaper,
fitted to the Inside of the box, end clipped to the sides of the cbt box
with clothespins. The litter was then poured on to the screen. One
could then periodically change ~he newspaper by lifting the cat litter
out by gathering up the screen. Sieving cat litter end changing out the
newspaper every few days extended the life of the litter considerably,
as the urine would mostly soak Into the newspaper Instead of fouling
the cat litter.
.Flnd.a way to. allow each cat to have e favorite (and securel) place to
which It can retreat. For Black Bunbuns it Is a little cat bed with
washable cover. For Sts-Puft it is numerous throw-rugs of which he Is
king, plus a number of other places that he alternately claims for
extended periods. For Uncle Chucks. it Is the Iolt In the garage, to which
he is the only cat athletic enough to leap.
Same number of cat boxes as cats. ] don~ know If this keeps them
from fighting over the boxes, bu~ It Is e reasonable formula for not
having to maintain the boxes overly Frequently.
Have carpeted posts, or some other place for them to scratch. These
must be made of materials that the cats prefer to your l'urnltura. Our
cats all love the carpeted posts, and ! find that ! can use carpet scraps
to recover them when they. wear out. The scratching Issue can be a
tough one, and can make or break the whole effort. If you have
http://www, scvas.org/indcx.php?pat~c---tcxl~id=kccl)CatS. .: . . . '.'.'.~.,~?~-:. ,'..,'~,'~' '~.:.~ ........ ' '. ',!~::"~'.'?..::.? ~,~ .... ' .... i~ ., --7/10/20{)6.
SCVAS: Keeping Your Cats Indoors Page ~,.o~ 4.
..... furniture or rugs, etc., that ere precioUs to yOU, by ail means protect ~ ~
· themallow themUntll, theaccess.Cat settles., into. : an:. acceptable., routine and It Is safe to ~
Hake the bedrooms of allergy sufferersOff limlLs to Cats. This ·will go a
long way toward reducing allergy Irritations, especially if they tend to
be cumulative. Bare, uncorpeted floors with washable throw-rugs are
also easier to .keep .clean.
Some cats pose a serious' challenge tQ. any'attsmpts to keep. them
indoors. Zt may Just not be possible in some cases without really going
crazy. Zn cases like these one might consider a Caged run for the cat,
connected to the. house with a cat door.
Don't give up too easily, though. It seems to be a maker of negoUaUng
a workable agreement with your cat~ We figure that our cats think
they've relegated ell the hunUng to us, that we ere the servants that
go out and capture all the food, and~ey Just i!e around. Jib kings and
queens and play as much as they'want. Now that ! think of It, maybe
Last modified on August 20, 2005.
~ck ~o ~e ~op
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Helping Ani
ANIMALS Q HOME
i Model Spay and Neuter OrdinanceS
"for Animals The following is il.sample of communities that have either mandated spaying -,nd neutering, instituted differential licensing
........... or placed restriction8 on breeding.
Unchain Your Dog . .
....................... : ......... ~ ........ :,..... ~ ·
Curb Animal
ove~opuletio. California New Mexico
I~mant Mcl~nle_v county.
Dofl't Support Pet . · Gi~ of ClesrlSke : .'. - ·
Stores Ullgll~ · · ·
Puppy Mills: Cruelty to I,~
Dogs
L~,. i. Harmony With Colorado New Jersey
Wildlife
......................................... ~. Aumm .... * ......... '" Camden
Resourosa
Denver
Ads/PSAs lake County
......... IIIinob
Celebrities Helping '
Animals Rock Island New York City_
~ Buneomb~ Gountv
FAQs Hamilton Coun~
Literature Midland 'Ohio
' Baltimore City_ Athen~
Photos Ii, one.maw_ Counh/ Richmond
Vi~ Millouri Washington
'Videos ~. Loub 'I~:Ig_GGUl~
................................ .. '.': .' . -. Tacoma
The following states reqUire mandatary spaying or neutering of all snimale adopted from animal shelters:
Arizona Mi~igan
Arkansas Missouri
.. California Montana.
· ' Connecticut .Nevada
D~tri~t of columbia New Hampshire
Florida New Mexice
Georgia New York
Illinois North Dakota
i Iowa Oklahoma
i ~Y Rhode laland
! I.,ulelans Virginia
Massachusetts
. Belmont
~i · City Code outlines s differential lican~ing program, for dogs and cats, as follows: unaltered dogs $21 ($.50 toward
· · ....... i · Animal Populalion Trust Fund}, unaltered cats $11, spayed/neutered dogs $11, spayed/neutered cats $6.
~IelpingAnimals.corn // Resources // Take the Law Into Your Own Hands Page'2~ Of t 3'
..... ...: ..~..~...:.~...=~ ............. .,..~:..~.: ..~... ~.~ :~. ...:..:..~..:. ? !.~.- ...:..~.~.,.~.~.-~....,...::::?~ ??~.~-. :.!~...~... ..... . .............
·
~ · Having unaltered animals alaO:~u!,',~ !hal.'n breed, in~permit be obtained for $25.
i~ · (3.uardians of unaltered snimal!..n.m, .~ujred to I:m~;'higher redemPUOn fees When their animals are impounded at"
~e_lt_e.m_..The ia...pound ~a~e .il..:~:~r.,.,,~yed/ne _.uWred animal and is $40 for an unaltered animal ($30/560 if
.~..n.n~_n.~? _n_m_,cen..~_n_l._r?~.?..~_ .~..~!~_.,.!~d,.ed' th?fee increasos: second often.. $30/~0 third offense $90/
,! euu. tourm onunse a'l~,O/~!40,1~.a. ,.fl~ ~ an. ,p $150/$170. · , . :.
I · If an animal is impounded twice in a thrse-yser period, he or she will be steriliZed before being released back to
the guardian.
A~i. =la IA: .~m=.. · 0'~.6,.(a) .No pesos ~all own ?r harbor.., any cat or dog over the age of six (6) months
· . t .... nan not"l~en ~:0r..ne...IAtO.md_; ui~,.~...~..ch pomon holds either a license to kse~ an unsifted dog .. ·
· · '.-'-~: ...... '-'--.' ........... -v <....) ........ '-" ckr 'cat Or liana'/~d~mi'it' ~b'~jr~'Mli ~'~ d~la 'iMued by San Mateo County Animal Control
SMvicse. (b) A license shall be Issued for an unalfered dog or cat if the owner signs s written statement
that such animal will not be allowed to breed unless the owner has fiat obtained s breeding permit.
Article IA, ~e¢. 6-~7.~ (d)(4) Any permit holder edvertfsing to the public the availability of any animal for
adoption or Mia must prominently dl~lay the permit number in any publications in which they advertise.
Further, the permit number must be provided to any pesos adopting or purchasing any animal bad by'
the permit holder.
A~I~Ii IA, ~e~. [-~J~.?.(d) Prior to release for edeptlon, any animal adopted from any animal welfare
agency'shall'be spayed or neutered.
Artlsfe IA, &lC..~,Z?.l(a) Any permit issued pursuant to m~ton 5-27.6 be revoked if the animal control
officer has reasonable cause to believe any of the following to be true: ... (3) The permittea has failed to
comply with any condition.or requirement of the permit or has failed to pay any fee Imposed under this
ArtlGll IA, ~ec. r)-~)T.e, Penalty for violation. (1) A fine not to.exceed $100 for a first violation. (2) A fine ...
$200 for a second violation within one year. (3) A fine... $500 for each additional violation within the
same year.
City of Clserlake
· Spaying and neutering is mandatory for dogs and cate over the age of 4 months.
·Anyone intentionally caring or providing for a dog or cat is declared the 'owner" of that animal and must sterilize
that animal a(=cordingly.
· .Certain snimali'are'~xempted'from'thltordlnance's provisions. ' : ' ·
?-10.t No person shell own, harbor, or keep within the City of ¢leadake, a dog or cat over the age of four
months, which has not been spayed or neutered unless the dog or cat is exempted from the provisions of
this section pursuant to section 7-10.3.
7.-10.2 Any person !ntantionally providing care or'sustenance for a dog or cat shall be deemed the owner
or such dog or cat and shall comply with Section 7-10.1'. :' '
7-10.3 The following animals are exempt from the provisions of Section 7-17.1.
(a) I~ documenbKI as having been appropriately trained and actually being used by
public law enforcement agencies foi' law enforcement "clMUea,. or such dogs designated.
..... '.~ an breecling Itock by an appropriate'agency or organizalion approved by the Direotor of
Animal Care & Control after consultation with knowledgeable professionals;
(b) Dogs having been appropriately trained and actually being ua,ed aa a service dog,
s. uch an a g. ui .de d~, .hearing.dog, aos.M, tence dog, seizure alert dog, or social/therapy '
.nog, or a.u.Gn ?gs_ (magneto, ~ breeding mock by an appropriate agency or organlz~ti0n
app. rov~. I~.y me Director.ofAnnnal Care & Control afar consultation with knowledgeable
promsmonnm; . ..... ·
(c) Dogs documented as having been appropriately trained and actually being used by ..': .'..
search and rescue agencies for search and rescue activitfse, or such dogs designated as '
breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the Director of
Animal Care & Conlrol at~)r consultation with knowledgeable pmfoseionals;
(d) DOgs or Gate cerllfled by a licensed ve~rinarian as having a health mason for not
· .'.. besng .payed/neutawd;
(e) Dogs which are appropriately trained and actually being umKI for herding of other
animals, or an I'nmmock guardian dogs, hunting dogs,'or such dogs designated as
breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the Director of
A(f)nimal Care & Coniml altar consultation with knowledgeable Professionals;
Dogs or mite boarded in a licensed kennel or a buainan~, which boards such animals
for profeanldnal training or reseis:
(g) Dogs or cate which are rogisfered with the American Kennel CAub, the Cat Fancier
Association or other recognized regisby or trained and kept for the purpose of show, field
trials or agility trials.
~ !)n.2:. TI.~. Pmg~.k))~l,,~, ~l,ordi-%ll(Le, shall not become operative until June 1,
2006.
i Heaperta
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lelpin'g?nimals.~m I/Resources//Take the Law Into Your Own Hands Page 3 of 13
· Any impounded ·nim·l ah·Il be opeyed or neutered ·t the gu·rdlen's expense before being returned, with the
exception of properly tagged ·nd licensed dogs, unless those dogs h·ve been found loose off their gu·rdians'
property on three or more occasiun~ in · three-ye·r period.
· Any'impounded animal shall be properly licensed at the guardian's expense before being returned.
o Licensing ctmrges are ~0.a Year fo~; unaltared dogs ·nd $12 for opeyed or neutered dogs.
e.58.0~0E Any dog f0Un~] running st la~ge, running loOSe, or unrestrained off the owner's property shell be
required to be speyod or neutered ·nd properly licensed, ·t the owner'· expense before being returned to
their owner.
Exception: Any properly tagged end licensed dog ah·Il not be required to be sp·yed or neutered as ·bore
unless found running ·t large, running loose, or unrestrained off the owner's property on three or more
occasions in a three-year period.
i Los Angetae
· Spaying ~nd neutering is mandeto~/for all dogs and cate in city lim~ unless the guardi·n has obtained s $100.00
annual unaltered animal permit.
· If the gu·rdisn wi·ha· to breed the ·nlm·l, they must ·leo obtain a breeders license.
, All dogs bred for sale or trade must. be registered and. seller must disclose permit number end n·me of breeder in
any edvertisemenL
· V~olatom will be fined $500.00 ·nd would be considered · misdemeanor.
· ExemPts animal shelter· that'h"va ImPlanted ·n 0ng°ing'opaY/neuter program.
(1) N° immon shall cause Or allow any dog or c~t owned, harbored or kept .within. the .C. ity of L~ Angeles
to breed without flint ~teining · bm·ding ps,miL aa d~bed below..The term ~)ree=ing permit means ·
wri~n authorization, issued annually by.the General M·nager; giving its lawful holder permission to breed
· dog or · caL
(2) Each breeding permit shall be valid for one year from the deta of issuance, and may be renewed
· nnually, before its expiration date. Each applicant for such · permit shall pay an ·nnu·l fee of $100.00. A
sap·rets permit must be obtained for each owned dog or cat which is allowed to breed.
(3) The Department shell administer an animal breeding permit program to ·llow the breeding of unaltered
dogs and cate consistent with criteria end ·;cording to pro~=edures established by the General Mannger
· pumusnt to Se~on 53.58 of this Code. Under no circumstances shell ~uch a permit be issued to a person
who hse been convicted of aninml ~malty.or'negle~
' . '(4) In'acldi~on ~o thl ~eJ~;~d~b~ure~ i~t. blished by the General M·noger pursuant to ParagraPh 3 of this subsecl]on, all breeding permits shall contain the following terms and conditions:
a. The owner of an unaltered female dog Or cat shall not'allow th.e whelping of more then
one litter in any hoUSehold within the'permit year~ Notwithstanding this provision, the
General Men,gar ls hereby aUthorized,'uPOn opplice~n of · permittee, to allow on · one
lime basis the whelping of up to two dog or cat iittere Per breeding animal within any
dome~c household within a permit year,, if the permittae establishes, according to
regulotion~ Promulgated bY the Genem!.Man,ger, that such bm·ding ia mcluired to
Prot~;t the health of the an.imal or ~vert ! ~l~tentlal economic lose to the pe~rmit~e: In
the event th·t · permittee ls ~ fo'iuth,n. V. Oda. litter of dogs or =ts, the ~enere~
......... Manager nmy authori;~e~the whelping of one edclitionl! liter of doge or cate within the
same permit year by the perm~ttae;
b. No of~pring may be sold adopted, bartered, or othenvlse transferred, whether for
compensation or otherwise, until it has re·chad the ·ge of at la·st eight weeks;
c. No offspring m·y be sold or adopted until Immunized ·gainer common diseases. The
~ sale or adoption of a dog or cat shall include a statement signed by the seller or adopter
i a~sting to the slgnato~y'a knowledge of the animal's health, end the animal's
~ immunization history; . ...
I .. -...,or cat .for,~le, adopt~n, or. truant, whether for. compens~on or othen~ise, must
d. Andy holder of a breodlng permit rW? advertises to the.public the availability of any dOg
~ prominently display the permit number in any such advertisement. Fun. her, the .breeding
· ~ permit holder must provide the permit number to any person who purcnases, ·=opts or
! received ·ny ·nim·l from the permit holder and include the permit number on any receipt
of ··la or transfer document;
i e. Commerolel establishments selling locally bred dog· or cate shall prominently display
· the breeding permit number(s) of the breeder(s) whose dogs and cats are sold in said
establishments and any other pertinent information required by the General Manager,
.Comme~al establishments selling dog~ end cats which were not bred within the City of
Lo~ Angeles shall Prominently dlspley the nome and address of the breeder(s) of such
ielpingAnimals.com // Resources // Take the Law Into Your Own Hands Page 4 of~ 13"
dogs end cats and any other pertinent information required by the General Manager;
f. Any breeding permit holder selling Or otherwise transferring e dog or a cat, whether for
compencetion or otherwise, shell submit to the Los Angeles Department of Animal
Regulslk)n the name, iddre~, ~nd telephone number of the animal's new owner within
live day~ from the ~ais or other tinnier, on e Department approved form; and
i g' Any breeding permit holder or commerdal establishment which sells or otherwise
· tm.nef?m ii dog or ~ Whether for (:amps.. n~tion or otherwioe,'ilmll previde to the new .
...... ·. ......... ....! ............ ..:..,..:. .... ': .animal ownerCitylpl)lk:MJon(t)~for.lbnse and Permit ~m wail'seWn Informatk)n .....
regarding the license and permit requirements of the City of Los Angeles applicable to
such animal.
(5) The follow~ng animals are exempt from the breeding permit reqUirements:
(1) Doge documented as having been appropriately trained and actively used by law
enforcement agencies for law enforcement end rescue a~vitles;
(2) Degl documented se guide, Iignel, or service dogs pumuent to Delifomls Penal Code
6ect~n 365.5(d), (e) & (f) and ,u(:c:~ser M~ione;
(3) Dogs end cats cartifiecl by e licensed veterinarian as not being suitable subjects for
SPwiog end neutering due to health reasons;
(4) Dogs and cats under the cam of governmental animal· control, agencies; animal rescue
organizations whioh have demonstrated.to the DepaWnent that they have Implemented
an mlgoing ,my/neuter plan, se Well se in adoption plan; or humane societies or
societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, of such societies are incorporated under
the pmviMon of Celifomis Co/poreti0nl Code 6e(:tion 10400 and the Nonprofit Public
Benefit Corporation Law in Pert 2 of the Delifomis Corporations Code, beginning at.
Section5110, end ~uccoseor ~eWonl; end
(5) Dogs do~imented.al.enrolled in,a guide, iignel or servk:e dog breeding program
administered by e pamon Iicensecl under Chspter 9.5.
Penalties:
(1) Any cot or'clog'owner found by.the Department to'be in Violation of the breeding permit
.provision of this se~on mw correct the viciation(a) by providing conclusive proof to the
Department ~ the dog(a) or cat(a) have been spayed or neutered, or by obtaining the
necesamy permits(a) mentioned In this m~tion, no later than forty five days from the date
when the Deperlment hid.am notiflid the owner of the violation. Should the owner fail to
correct the viMetion(a) in the manner ~ ab(we, the Department shall impose a
$500.00 (:ivil=penllty on the dog ~or cat owner. Notice of this penalty shell be sewed by the
Department on the dogor c:,t owner in the manner allowed by Se~on 11(i) of this Code.
This penalty Shell not be w~ivid by the'Deplrtment upon the transfer or abandonment of
the dog or cst by the non complisnt owner. This penalty shall be imposed in addition to
any other applicable civil or criminal paneitise;
If the dvtl penalty me.snarl above is not ~ and the owner does not spay/neuter
his/her dog(s) or cat(s) or oMa'irm the braiding permit(s)required under Subsection (c),
above., within fifteen days.from the date when the DePartment first notified the owner of
po?.iti, on of ~ Civil. panelty mentioned in 8ectJen. (d)(i), the continuing violation of
the breeding permit requlrement.ofthls se~jen become~ a misdemeanor and may be
prosecuted es such.
(2) The Dep~,~dTtent may'revoke any permit issued.
; Pacific Grove
~ · All dogs and cats are required to be spayed or neutsred unless the'guardian obtains an uneltsred dog permit.
~ · There is a licensing differential of $7.50 for a spayed or neutered animal and $30 for an unaltered animal.
· Impoundment .Fe~m for flcermed and spayed0r neutered dogs ere waived; licensed, unaltered dogs may be waived
if the gua.rdien signs an agreement to'sp.aylor ne.utortha'dog within 10 days.
· .G.u .ardlens~ho w~h to I)rend ~ dog or cat may. purchase, e breeder's permit, which allows no more than one
user per,seult femakl'Per yei~,.~3uard. ~ha whb wish to Produce more than one I'dter each'year may apply for a
commercial breeder's permit.
Or(I. 10.04.t00 (1) Licenled and Sterilized Dogs. For a currenby licensed dog that has been sterilized, the
reclaiming owner shall be granted a weaver from the impoundment fee for the firat-time impoundment of
the dog. (2) Ucensed Doge, Unetsl41ized. For a licensed but unetenlized dog, the firat-time impoundment
fee and unatedlized dog fee may be waived at the request of the reclaiming owner provided that, prior to
~lp. i~gAnimals.com // Resources // Take the Law Into Your Own Hands Page 5 of 13
· release of the dog, the "Delive~y to Veterinarian" procedUre, as defined in subsection (d), is followed.
Ord. 10.04.100 (3) (d) Delivery to Velerinarian Procedure; The'owner shall volunteer the animal for
sterilization and dspesit the requisite fee v/ith a licensed veterinarian. In return, the veterinarian shall
provide the owner with a receipt cewlying that itorilization of the animal ha~ been paid for and scheduled
or that health considerations p~cl~de ito~ilimition. Upon presentation of such receipt and ca~rcation to
the holding agency, the animal shall be released to the owner. Sterilization'under this procedure shall take
!.. place no later than ten days after release,.. In the event of failure to meet the apprspriats deadline, the
deposit shallbe forfoitsd, and after cisdu~ng mesonable mits, the veterinarian shall return the remainder
to the city or its designee for educational puq)oess related to pet ateritizetion programs.
Ord..10.t,.0.10, Sterilization of Adopted Animeis-~Fees. (a) No unsterilized dog or cat shall be released by
the city or ~ designee for adoption unless the adopter flint follows the "Delivery to Veterinarian"
procedure.
Ord..10..1~.040 Breeding. (1) The reClUhement for a breeding permit may be waned if, on the first
occasion of such biflf~, the litter is delivered to the 8.P.C.A. for humane disposition, the owner has the
parent animal sterilized, and proof of such actiona is provided to the city or its designated representative.
(4) Permits shell apply to no more then one litter per adult female par year regardless of litter size, except
es folE,-ws: Owners wishing to produce, l~ers at a rate higher than one par year may be issued a
commercial breeding permit upon completion of the appropriate aPplication and payment of the fee
established by resolution of the council. The commercial breeding permit is not subject to the single litter
8an Malco., ; . ..
· Any dog or cat over 6 months of age must be spayed or neutered, unless the guardian holds an unaltered license.
· th.,n m" breed,.c denteliy; gU.n ian mum 0b=io. b der, pan.it edd tion to th, unaltered
· Any guardlenredeeming an impounded unaltered animal will be required to pay a spay/neuter Me in the amount
of $35 in addition to the impound fees imposed. This fee will be refunded il' the animal is spayed or neutered within
30 days. Any unal~red animal impounded twice or more within a 3-year period will be altered at the guardian's
expense prior to redemption. At the option of the guardian, required spaying or neutering may be performed by a
privato veterinarian.
· There ere differential licensing charges: $11 for spayed or neutered dogs and $21 (which Includes a $~50
surcharge for the Animal Population Tmet Fund) for unaltered dogs. SPayed/neutered cats are $6 and $11 for
unaltered cate. .. . ..'
· Penalties for violation, of spay/neuter ordinances ara fines not to exceed'S100 on the first offense, $200 on the
second offense, and $500 for each 'additional violation of the same ordinance within one year.
Chap. O.02,0e0, eec. 3332.4 (a) No person Stills own or harbor ;#ithin the City any cat or dog over the
age of six months which, has not been spayed or neutered, unless such parson holds either a license to
keep an unaltered dog or cat or a license and pormlt for breeding cats or dogs.
Chap. 8.02, sec, 3330~0 Upon redemption of any impound.ed unaltered animal, the owner w~li be required
~ to pay a ipay/neufar fee inthe amount of $36.0 in addition to.th.e Impound lies Imposed under ~ection
· i 3330:12. Such fee shall be refunclabis upon proof of spaying/neu~ring of the animal within 30 days of the
I redemption date, Any unaltered animal impounded twice Or more within a.three-year period shall be
i altered' at'the OWner's eXPense p~r tu redemption. At the option.Of the owner, required spaying or
i neutering may be performed by a private veterinarisn. ..
Colorado'
Aurora
· Dif~erential licensing ,liows for e.....~."..~ced ~ for spaYed/neute .red animals.
· Permits for unalte~ ammais~may be purchased for $25 (in addition to the annual $7 I~cense fee), and the animals
are not allowed to breed,
· All litters bom are is required to have a litter permit and registration number.
· A breeder,s permit required for professional breeders ($SS/yeer) for anyone selling for giving away animals and is
required to be displayed for any animal for sale. The permit must be purchased before producing a litter of
puppies or kittens.
· Cats ere prohibited from running at large.
Sec. 14.42'(a) Spay or Neuter Required It shall be unlawful to own, possess or keep in the city any dog
or.cat over. the a~l.e,.,pf ~ :~Pg..n, tl:l.~,Jha~)[~..asn~ 1~9. n spayed or neutered, except as provided in subsection
(b) of this section. . "'
Sec. '14.42 (b) Excel)tionl. The following are exceptions to the spay.or neUter requirements in subsection
(a) of this section:
(1) Medical. A licensed veterinarian has determined that an animal is medically unsuited to undergo the
surgical promKlure. A signed statement from a licensed veterinarian is required and shall state specifically
the medical grounds for the exemp0on.
~ ClpingAnimals.com // Resources // Take the Law Into Your Own Hands Page 6 of. 13 .'
· (2) Temporeq~ rnedioal. When the animal's medical condition is temporary in nature, the licensed
vetadnarinn shall sign a writtan stntamant as to the prognosis ofwhan the surgery may be performed. The
date given on that.proguosis shell become.lite expiration data of the tompom~/medical exemption. After
.the period of the tamporeP/medical exemption, spay or neutor shell be required unless · licensed
vetarirmrian provkles another temporary medical exemption and prognosis of when the surgery may be
~ performed. · . ,.., . · ......
(3) Trasmlt=r_~ stnt~m. An animal which is temporarily in the city. v~n an animal is temporarily in the city
· ....... · ......... . :... :.. :....f0t.: breading puql,.the .mmmr of m~h animal.l~required to have and present, when requested, s ....
~ osrtiflcata of health Iigned by a Ilosrmed veterinarian.
(4) Intn~t permit An w obtaln~ an annual intsot animal permit and is in compliance with the city
annual Iiosnalng requiremants contained in this chapter.
! ~ec. t4'42 (o) Lil~r Permit and Regiltration Numl~r. All littam, or a portion thereof, of puppies or
, kittens that are to be whelped, queened, sold, traded, bedered; given ;~vey, or othem, ise transferred
within the City of Aurem shell have a litter permit and registration number. (1) The owner or possessor
shall obtain a litter permit and registrotion number within one week of obtaining possession of any litter, or
portion thereof, of puppies oddttant (2) Ownem or postessore shall abide by all the litter permit end
registration administrative redulrementa. (3)The litter pemlit and regletretion number requirements, of this
subse~;=Uon shall not. KOply to pet shops.. . .
..................... · ......... .. .......... 8es, t4-4~- (d) PenalW.-Any~wner found' guilty of ¥leleting this 'section and not ciaseified within the
exceptions shall be eubJeot to both fine and Imprisonment as provided by esction 1-13 if this Code. Upon
the fimt conviotion, the court shall impost a fine of not less that $t00.00. A portion of the minimum
monetary lines and irr~rbonment mw be euapencled by the municipal court only if the owner of any
animal in violation presents to the court proof of the spay or neuter of the animal. Upon s second
conviction, in addition to any penalty provided by.asction 113, the owner shell be required to spay or
neutor the animal (unless the owner provides a written statement from a liosnsed veterinarian that the
spay or neuter procedure would be harmful or dangereuato the health'of the animal). Nothing in this
subsection ·shall be construed es preventing ~be animal care officer from instituting · precoeding in the
· munioipel court for violation of this stclion where there has been no impoundment.
DlllVer . : '"
· nmeding is,ieg. I in mnvercounty. ".
· Spaying and neutering is mandatory for all animals over 6 months old unless there is a medical reason for an
exemption. ..
· Gunrdlene who do not want to spay or neuter their companion animals must pay $43 each year for an "intact
permit." If denied an Intact permit, by law the animal must be spayed or neutered. An intact permit is not ·
breeding .pe.....rmit; breeding is illegal, .
· If guardians fall to comply with the SpaY/neUter municipal codes, the animal's license will be revoked and the
animal could be impounded..
we .~are m .me res}~. ;.ants of .the city by red~g me .number of stray dogs and osta. The council finds that
.e. acn year tens of though., n,I ~.f_dogs and ~.ire euthanized..in the.city because they are not wohted. It is
me purpose of this section.to e,mlneta"the excossive numbemof unwanted animals end thereby stop the
needless Idlllng of these animals by re~dqing the breeding practicos of pet. owners and 13feeders through
legislation thot is both reasonable and enforcoable.
Oral. No. N04~, 8es. 0-1't. It shell be unlawful to own, possess or keep tn the city any dog or cat Over
the age of alx (6) months that has not been spayed or neutered.
Oral, No, 0004~, 8so. ~-1'3. Notwithstanding the provialone of sections 1-13, any poreon cited with
violation of this article shall have his or bar citation dismisstd if there is proof of complianos with the terms
of thi~ articta' within thirty (30) dn'y~ of Ih~ ~late of the Summons or impoUndment.
Lake County
· Differential fines for animals running'loose charging allow for $100 for unaltered animals end $25 for
spayed/neutered animals.
Illinois
Ro~k taland
· It Is mandatory to spay or rtelltar all dog~ end cate tlnless the guardian p~y~ for en "unaltered license" (I30).
· Differential llconeing establishes fees of $6 for spayed/neutered enimels end $30 for unaltered animals. Discounts
for senior c~izens ere $15 for unaltered enimale end $3 for spayed or ne~ltllred enimaie.
· Breedere must also pey · license fee of $6 for each dog over 6 months of ege in addition to the 150 breeding
llmnse.
· Any dog or cat who le Impounded for the second time will be epayed or neutered. The guardian will pay · I50
penelty fee in addition to the reesoneble co~t of thle mendetor/slerilization when redeeming the animal from the '
la~ayord ·
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shelter.
DIv. 2, DOgl'lnd Cltl. 8so. ?-t4~. Spaying And Neutering: (a) No person shall own, ha~oor or keep
within the City any cat or dog ~ve; the age of.~x (6) months which has not been spayed or neutered,
unless such pemon holds elthir'a I~nse for breeding cats or dogs issued by the City or possesses an
unaltered dog or cat license ss stated in this section or a written car~icate from a licensed veterinarian
that, due to health considerations, the animal should not be spayed or neutered.
Div. 3, Impoundment' Sea. ?-14, (3) Any dog or cat that is impounded e second time within a one-year
period al~ll be all.ed. The owner shall pay a penalty in the sum Of fitty dollars ($50.00) for a second
Impoundment end in oddition thereto the reasonable coat for the mandatory altering of the animal il' the
altering would not endanger the health of the animal.
Indiana
Bloomington .
·Any guardians who Intentionally or unintentionally cause or allow their companion animal to breed must first
acquire a breeding permit.
· Bmedem em required to keep e record of III.birtl~ MIss, information on each buyer, and proof that each animal
wa. ~,y bred. ·
· Breeders"re llmaed to. only one I~er ssch Year.
· Permit fees are waived f°r.guardisnswbe spay Or neuter their animal within 14 weeks at~r giving birth to a litter or
who relinqui~ the adult dog or cat to the animal shelter.
·: .: : · . . . ..
?.~.6¶ti, Minor Breeder Permit Requirsd. NO individual or bUsiness shall be a minor breeder without
obtaining a permit in compliance ~ this chapter.
(a) A mlnor'breoder permit Shall be ~OMilined by: (1) Any individual who Intentionally or unintentionally
causes or ellOw~ the breeding of I cat.~' dog, or.makeS · ~t ~r'!gog available for breeding purposes; or
(2) Any person Wbe'o~em for aais, sslis;' .~.' .ss, t~caiVss, for any compensation or gives away any litter of
(b) Minor' breede~l shall alSO.:.' (1) Breed o.nly one dog or'0..ne, cat .which yesuits in the birthing of a
'm~ximum of one litter in e Iwe~onth period; (2) NOt'offer for sale; Sell, Irede, receive any
compenlalion ~ give away more than One litter.of dogs or.one litter or.cats in s twelve-month period, with
the ~xoePtion of a litterof dogs or cats teben to the animal shelter, (3) Keep records as to the birth of each
tilter of doge or cats ss may be required by'the anImal control department; (4) Keep records of the name,
eddrese and tolaphone number of ss.ch buyer or new owner of any dog or cat sold or transferred; (5]
Furnish to e~ buyer or new owner, of an animal the minor breeder permit number of the minor breeder in
order that the new owner has Proof and assurance lhetthe animal was legally bred; {$) Not offer a puppy
or Id~n under ~.e age of eigM.waekl ~ oge"fer'!.ale, trade, or other compense§on or free giveaway, with
the exseption of anImals taken.to the'animal ~lter, (7)Recommend.that a0y animal sold, transferred or
given ~ be ex, mined by · Iicansod vellrirmrlan within one week of he date of transfer; and (8) Lisl
timlr minor breeder permit number on all public notices odvertislng the sale or free giveaway of litters of or
Individual puppies or kittens.
(c) Any owner or person having custody of a ~log or cat which has been altered within fourteen weeks
after giving birth to a litter or who relinquishes the adult dog or cat.to the animal shelter within fourieen
weeks of the birth date of the litter shell have all permit requirements waived.
?.22.620, Major Breeder Permlt'Requiredl No individual Or business shall be s major breeder without
obtaining a permit in compliance with this chapter.
(s) A major breeder permit shall be obtained by: (1) Any individual who intentionally or unintentionally
causes or allows the breeding of a cat or dog, or maliss a cat or dog' available for breeding purposes; or
(2) Any person who offers fora,Is, sells, tmdes,-recaive$ for any compensation or gives away any I~er of
dogs or cats,, with the exception of Ilt~ teken to the animal sheller.
(b) Major breeders shall else: (1) Not allow Ibe birthing of more than one litter per female dog or cat in a
twelve*mon~ period; (2) Keep record~ aa to ltm birth of each litter of dogs or cats aa may be required by
the animal control deperiment, (3) Keep records of the name, address and telephone number of each
buyer or new owner of any dog'or cat sold Or transferred;' (4) Furnish to ssch buyer or new owner of an
animal the major breeder permit number of the major breeder in Order that the new owner has proof and
aseursnca that ~ animal was lagelly bred; (5) Not offer a puppy or kilien under the age of eight weeks of
age for sale, trade, or other compensation or free giveaway,.with the exception of animals taken to the
animal shelter, (6) Recommend that any animal sold, transferred or given away be examined by a
Iiconsed veterinertsn within one w~ek of the date of trensfor; and'(7) List their major breeder number on
all publlo notices edvertlein? the seis Or free giveaway of Iitter~ of or individual puppies or kittens.
?.2~.~, Breeder PermIt Periods. (a) Minor breeder permits Shall be valid for a period of one year from
the date of issuance. (b) Major breeder permits shall be issued on a litter*by.litter basis and shall be valid
for one year from the date of application.
' ?.22.060, Fees. Fees for breeder permits shall be: (a} Minor breeder permit $60.00; (b) Major breeder
permit $100.00 per litter.
,~,J-,-,s,~uu.-w-',.~um//~¢sources//i axe me caw Jnm Your Own Hands Pa~e 8 of 1
i Fort Wayne
· Thoro is e licensing differontlal charging $4 for spayed or neuterod animals end $25 for unaltered animals.
i · Breeding is illegal unless 8 guardian obtains either a minor or major breeding permit.
". ...... - '' "'"' '"- * minor'bresding.perm" m~ta'.~40"ndmsYbb~obt"ined by a guardian WhO. intentionallY or accidentally'ce,se,
the.breeding of a cat or dog and who of Ism any liters for sale or trade.
· A major breeding permit costs $100 each year in addition to · kannel/cattery fee. This ia for professional breeders.
· If guardians spay or neuter an 'animal within '10 wsalm of the birth of e litter, the guardians must purchase ;~ minor
breeder permit for $10.
· Breeclero are only permitted to allow their animals to ha~e one litter in a 12-month pedod.
· Guardians who allow their animals to breed and do not wish to spay or neuter or relinqUish the ar~imale to tit~e
Department of Animal Control, must have their animals microchipped and registered within 30 days of receiving a
notice.
· Guardians of animals who have bred ere required to fumleh animal control with information on the birth of i~ach
· . ...... · ......... · :litter~. as well as re(x)rde of.eskl~ adoption, bt'yaro/edopters (name; address, phons number), end must immunize
all animals in each litter.
Ord. 9t.066. Major Brooders PermiL(A) A rr~jor breeciar'e permit shall be obtained by: (1) Any person
who intentionefly or accidentally causes the breeding of a cat ar dog or makes a cat or dog available for
breeding purposes: or (2) Any person who offers for sale, ,ella, trades, receives other compensation or
gives away any litters of dogs oi' cate; excapUng I litter of dogs o~ cats taken to the Department of Animal
Control; (B) And such parse1 shall: (1) Not allow the birthing of more than one litter per female dog or cat
~ in a 12-month period; and (2) Furnish the Department of Animal Conbol with information on the birth of
each litter of dogs or cate as may be required by Department of Animal control to register that litter of
, dogs or cats with Department of Animal Control, amd to be oMigned e litter number for each litter.
Ord. ~'1.066. Minor Breeders Permit. (A) A minor breeder's permit Shall be obtained by: (I) Any perS0r~: .'
~ .who intentionally or a~entelly causes the breeding of a cat or dog or makes a cat or dogs available for
· f' breeding purp0oes; (2) Any person who offers for sets, sales, tmdsa, receives other compensation or gives
8w~y any litters of dogs.or, ca .~.; excepting 8 litter of dng~ or cate taken to the Department of Animal
.C~.ntrol; (.3.) Any owner or person haying custody of a dog or cat ~that ha8 delivered a litter or caused the
i oelivery OT a litter, who chooses not to relinquish the animal to the Department of Animal Control and also
c~.0oo?~, not ~.l~ave the.animal I~cayed or neutered 8hall cauoo the animal to be implanted with a
mlaocnq) efta G) register thio dog or cat within 30. clays of hiving re~e!vec! notice to ocoompllsh this
~ procedure from the Department of Animsi ContrOl..(B) And such person shall: (1) Be allowed to breed only
~ one dog or one cat which remJIta in. the birthing of ii maximum of one litter in a 12-month period... (8)(C)
AnY owner m' pomort having custody of o dog.0r cat which has been neutered within 10 weeks after giving
birth to a litter 0; who turns.th~t~ edt;it dog. or .Git.Mr to the Department of Arlimal Control within 10 weeks
of the birth chats of'the litta~ wil! be required 'rd purchase a minor broader permit at the rata of $1 o. (D) Any ' '
~ owner or person having custody Of a dog Or cat which h.es deliverod a litter, who chocae8 not to relinquish
said animal to Ute D~ peflmertt of. Animal Control and als0 choose~ not to have the animal neutered, will
~. be re~l..u, irecl_~, puroh ..a~e.a ..m. ino.r brsa~l, erpefmit a_t the rate of $40 plus any applicable kennel/cattery
I · parma fee. Tee permit mliUl aa ISeUOO provided ali roquiromant8 of th.is chapter are met.
Hamilton County
· Spaying and Neutering is mandatory by the time any dog or cat ia'9'm°nth$ old unless the guardian obtains; a $50
breeder's permit.
.
. (l~y guarcl~n !nl~ent~.. rlally .or. O(;ctdontlll,ly.bre~cling an animal is requirod to purchase the ~ breeders permiL
· The ordinance alisa Iim~ the number of litters a breeder can have, sail, trade or give away.
Maryland.
BalUmore 011).
· Dif~renU81 licensing charges $10. for· 8payed or neutered dog or cat .nd $30 for an unaltered animal.
· In April 2002, a ~aw waa psased that gives animal control the authority to put a microchip implant into enema, Is the
,mt Urea they ara found roaming the ~eeto.
· Cln:t~a.ec~impoundment,~anlm.l~ls mquirod tobe.peyed or neutared at the guardian'a expense.
~ ' 8es. t0-30g (c) Impoundment; CondiUons for Retum to Ovmero. (1)'On a first or subsequent
~ impoundment of'a dog or ~ the Commi"Slener may roqUiro that, me e condiUon for the animal's return to
· ' ~ owner or keeper:. (i) · microchip, containing the Information .the Commissioner specifies, be surgically
~ !.mp~nted in the enema. I; and (ii) the owner or keeper agree to keep the Information current, as directed by
me ~.;ommisaioner. (2) On a second or subsequent Impoundment, the Commissioner may require that, aa
· . s condition of the animal's rotum to Its owner or keeper, the animal to be altered. (3) The costs incurred in
these procedure,s must be paid by the owner or keeper when reclaiming the animal.
~ Nlontgome~y County
i-IelpiflgAnimals.corn // ResOurces // Take the Law Into Your Own Hands Page 9'of 13
· Animal control agencies end cheilare have be authority to spay or neuter any dog or cat that is impounded two or
mom tim~, at the owner's a~q~nse.
· The county is mandetodto provide the countY residents with apaylneuter clinics and oiler services at uniform or
reduced rate :: .. , . .
$~. ~303 (7) (d) Multiple Impoundments. (1) If an unaltered dog or cat is Impounded 2 or more times,
the owner must have the animal altered st the owner's expanse or surrender the animal to the Director.
kc, ~403 (a) The county directly or by contract must e~mblish one or mom clinics where countY
msidante may have dog~ or ci~ elt~ed in s humane manner by a licenm~cl vemrinarien for a fee set by
regulation. The ~ounty rn.y contract for. altering servi~ by a licensed veterinarian at the veterinarian's
own place of business. The fee may be: (1) uniform or based on ability to pay; and (2) waived or reduced
for financial hardship.
i St. Loufe
, Any impounded stray animal'will be spayed Or neutered .t the guardian's expense.
· All stray animals caught or impounded by animal control will be microchippad.
· Differential licerming'ctmrgee $50 for .unaltered animals and $4 for spayed or neutered animals. -
· Any citizen who fells to comply with'this ordinance will be fined.
kc. t0.04.t60 to. t0.04.160 Release fose--dogs or cat~. No dog or cat should.be, finally released unless
procedures approved by the Health Commissioner to have it spayed or neutered and micro-chipped for
identification have been followed.
· ~. 10,04.056 Neuter Assistance and Edur~tion Fund. Afl Fees and penalties collected under the
provisions of 8ectiorm t0.04.t60 and t0.04.160, not to exceed .Twenty Thousend Dollars ($20,000) each
. fie:al year, shell be deposited into eapaclal fund to be known as the Neuter Assistance and Education
Fund(the Fund). The purpose of the Fund'shell be to offer financial a~nce to qualified St. Louis City
restdents for the spaying end neutering of their dogs and cate and to create public awareness regarding
efforts to central patoveq~opulation tn. tbs CRy of St. Louis ....No dog or cat Ihould be finally released
unless procedures approved by the Health Commissioner to have it spayed or neutered have been
followed.
i New Mexico
[. McKinley ~,ount~
· DifFerandel licensing charges $26 for unaltered dogs and cats and $5 for spayed or neutered animals.
· With proof of sterilization, the county will refund $20 of the unaltered licerme fee If provided within 45 days.
· Breeders are required to pay;,en·.edditionel ~5 for a. breeder's permit.
0-2-t6: (A) Ucense Feea: 1. The annual license fee for each unrteutored or unapayed dog or cat shall be
$25.00; $20.0.0 wtfi be refunded If proof of ~paying or neutering 'is provided .to the Center within forty-five
(46) days. 2. The. annual license fee for each unneutored or.unspayed dog or cat which ia owned by a
parson sixty-two (62) years of age or omar shell IDa $26.00. annuafly; $22.00 will be refunded if spayed or
f~utered within forty-five (46) day& 3. For each i~utered or spayed dog or cat, and for each do0 or cat for
which neuMring or ~payiog has been certified eaa surgical risk, the annual sterilized license Fee shall be
$5.00.. Proof of qualification for sterilized license can only be made with a written certificate from a
licensed veterinarian stating that tho animal has been neutered, or spayed or that neutering or spaying
would be e surgical ri~k for the animal due to the animars age or condition. 4. The license fee shaft not
~ ,p,.ly to,lq~ecie!.ly,...t~, ined ~l.(~..~ed..,~l~a~,q~.. d, or ~.pt for the pufposs of assisting the blind or the deaf.
New Jemey
i Camden
! · Dogs and cats over the age of 6 month~ must be spayed or neutered.
· Animals with extreme medical conditions are excepted from the ordinance.
~ · Guardians of animals kept unaltered ~r'any purpuse must meet certain animal-care requirements and must obtain
i an annual permit from the city for $100.
· The Iow does not apply to ~l~imad~ ksptin Camden for.fewer than 30 days in a one-year period.
! § 210-39. Spaying or neutering required. [Amended 6-5-t999 by Ord, ldo. MC-3502]
It shell be unlawful to own, possess or keep in the CRy any dog or cat over the age of six months that has
not been spayed or neutered, except as provided in § 210-40 of this article.
§ 210-40. Exceptions; permit to keep unspayed or unneuterad pal · ·
..lpingAnimals.com // Resources // Take the Law Into Your Own H~mds Page lO,,of, 13.
The above prohibition shall not epply in the following situations:
A. S .tatemant of vetorina~n. If a licansed veterinarian states, in wrRing, that an animal is unfit to undergo
........ ..... ..... .the.required luril!cal.l~cedure.beaiUle.of In extreme health condition of the animal. Such extreme
health condition~ ahNI include, but not be limited to: severn cardiOvaScUlar comprise, bleeding disorder,
respiratory disease and hepatic disease. The old age of an animal shall not, of itself, constitute an
extreme health condition for purposes of this section. ·
B. if an animal is kept intact for anY purpose, the owner of the animal shell be required to annually obtain
a permit from.'the City to possess an animal that is .not spayed or neutered. The permit shall be obtained
for $1O0 and shell be issued or renewed only if the City determines that the following conditions heve
been mat: [Amended 8.5-1998 by Ord. No. MC-aS02:3-22-2001 by Ord. No. MC-3643]
(1) The animal is examined regularly bY'a licansed veterinarian.
t (2) The animal is vaccinated annually for rabies and other common diseases.
. ........... . ..: (3) The animal it housed properly... ...... . .... .'
' .... .... (;4)'The owner hse not been in violation of other animal-related ordinance or aisle laws.in the Past 24
I months.
C. if an animal is temporarily in the City to participate in a show or event sponsored by · nonprofit,
senctioned animal organization.
O. If an animal i~°wned,'pseMmsed or kept in the City for fewer than 30 daye in a one-year period.
However, the owner must show proof of ownemhip and realdancy in a town other than the City with e
valid, up-to-data dog er cat (if applicable) license and other.
New York
New York City
· All shelters and animal control agencies have the authogty to spay/neUter all animals that are impounded, whether
the animals ara .adopted or returned to their gUardians.
· All shelters are required to provide sterilization sewicas (excePtions ara ·made for registered show dogs with proof
of r~iaby)
· )dl animaia bought from a pet shop must be spayed or neutered.
Chap. e. ~eo. t?'-804. Sterilization Required. ~. No'fufl-servk~ aheiter o~' other shelter for home]ass
,I)~: imasa required b) h ~1~1. Ii.iX)/~.~ kl~W(Jp.ulzulnt to a .ul~l. iviaion (b) of..se ..c~ion 16.1 .~ of the New York.'
City health code ~hell remase a'aog or'cat to a parson aalming ownemnlp: thereof, ,or. to a parson aonpttng
such dog or caL unless such dog or oat has been sterilized by a liconmKI Vetorinanen: provided, however,
that such requirement shell not apply: (1) if a IiosnmKI veterinarian certifies to such'shelter that he or she '
has examined'such dog or cat and found that because of a medical reason, the life of such dog or cat
WOuld be endangered by sterilization: provided, however, that such mason shall not consist solely of the
youth of suCh dog or cat. if such dog or cat is at least eight weal~ of age.
~ Chip. 8, 8es. 17.404 (4) b. No pet shop shall release to a cansumer · dog or Gat that has not been
i sterilized by a Ik~need vetadnerian: provided, however, that such requirement shell not apply to a
~ consumer who presents to the pet shop a letter from such consUmer's limneed veterinarian, da. ted with?
: the immediately pre(xKiing ten days, Italing the raasen(a) why, in the 0pinion of such veterinana.n., su.~
dog or Mt Ihoukl not be !t~. dlized until I liter
" of iUch letter. Such letter thai] Mate that auGh vetarlnermn wm cause au(m (]og or cat to De areal=aa at me
request of mJch consumer on or before such law spsoifled data. Such veterinarian shall also pmvicle to
! the pet shop acartiflcate, in such form and manner as'determined by rules promulgated by the
I depaWnant, steting the date on which ~uch sterilization was performed. Any consumer who provides a pet
~hop with a terror with re~ to · later stedliz.tion of a dog or cat must ensure that such animal is
sterilized by the date indicated in the letter.
i North Carolina
, Ashevllle ..
. .Requires °wDem'of:fertile animlla to pay a $100 permit fee and calls fora $200 fine if owners don't have an
animal spayed or neutered within 30 days of receiving a citation.
· Makes it illegal to have a fable animal older then 6 months without pUrchaSing a permit.
· · Prohibits animal adoption in PubIic places Unless the group conducting the adoption has a nonprofit status and
unleas the animal, are spayed or neutered.
Change~ ~ the Animal Control Ordinance Prior to Mly 17', 200~:
· City Council will have, to decide between adopting a differential licensing or fertile animal permit scheme:
~ A. Dlflemnti=l Ii(=ln~ing Ma for brUte and .nferttte dogs, Sea. 3.~ Annual Registrar/on for Dogs
tel,ping. Animals.corn//Resources//Take the Law Into Your Own Hands Page 11 of 13
1. Annual registration for speyed/nsutered dogs will be leis than that for fertile dogs.
2. Owner muat provide proof of sl~rlllaWon when initially registering a dog.
3. The Fees and Chergss Commltlee will set the annual fertile end unfertile license foes.
B. The Fertile Aninmi pen~a
1. The owner of a fertile animal will have to p,y the City a one-time $100.00 permit fee to keep a fertile
animal within the
city.
2. The City will only enforce this sectian if the Anlmel Control Officer is Investigating another violation of
the ordinance;
3. If the owner if found Ix) have a fertile animal without a permiL the fine ia $200.00
.4. If the owner get! the animll spayed or neutered within 30 days of the Issuance of the fine, the City will
waive the fine.
! Bunceml~'.C~u~y '
,..
· Cats and dogs over the age of 6 months must be spayed or neutered.
· Guardiane'of unaltered animals are required to hold a $100 unaltered animal permit
· Citations will be issued to those guardians of unaltered animals who do not hold a permit if they are also in
violation of any other aspect of the county'a ordinances pe~teining to animals.
· ~en~' lind police d"gl, inimeis kept'in the;G~unty ~or less'than 30 day~, and those ca,fled by a veterinarian to
be unlit f~r ,lltora..~or~.,beceu.~...M,. l~:wdi~.l cel~...!!~...mi am exempt from the. ordinance.
Ordinance # 0~-12-15
Ordlnance, Amending ChaPlet e "Anim~le" of the county Code of Ordinances
Dog end Cat OverpOpulation ' ' '
SpaYing and neutering requirements;' unaltered animals permit required.. No person shall own or harbor
any dog or cat over the..ga of six montha that ha~ not been Spayed or neutered unless such person holds
an unalfered animal permit ilsuad for euch animal by the department of animal service~, or any successor
.gency authorized, bY Iow t~ Iseue such a Pa. rail except: (a) pemone who.own or ha(oor ssrvicedoge or
police wo/t< dogs; (b)individuela who are nih-re,dante of Buncombe. County and reside temporarily
therein for a period not ~o exceed thirty daYS; (c) animal shelters'and veterinary hospitals; and (d) persons
who own or he(Dot a dog or cat end who ere in pcesession of a certification signed by a licensed
veterinarian ataUng that such animal is unfit to be spayed or neutered becau, se such procedure would
endanger the life of such animal.
Obtaining an Unaltered Animal Permit
Applicento must apply for P~rmits required by thia sscti°nwith the Director of Animal Services. The fee for
an unaltered animal permit shall be one hundred dollars. A I~g will be Issued identifying the animal as an
i unaltered animal end muot be dllpiayed at"all time~.
i ' E~IK~/ve dele Febme~ f, 200~. ~ ~0 days e~er me e(McWve date, were/ag cita#ons will be I~Suad
i unaltered enirnels without a permit After April 1, 2004, citations will be issued to owners of unaltered
~ animals not holding e permit. If the animal is altered within 30 days, the citation will be waived. A citation
will only be iseuad under, this section if the animal is in violation of another provision of Chapter
Ohio
Athene .
· Any. dog or cat ove.r the "ge of six month~ muat be spayed or neutered before being sold or given away.
· Any dog or cat under.the ."ge.of s..ix m.~ths..mUat heve proof of the purchase of sp.y or neuter services from a
licensed veterinarian.
· Violations ere subject to a minor misdemeanor fine of up to $1 O0 with proceeds paid to the County Sick and
Injured Animal Fund.
~ectJ°n g.OI.0g. Spaying end Neute~iog of Doge end C~te
It shall be unlawful to sell Or give away in the City of Athene, Ohio, any dog or cat over the age of six
months that has not been spayed or neutered, except es provided in the exceptions contained herein.
!.
It shall be unlawful to sell or give away in the City of Athene, Ohio, ,ny dog or cat under the age of six
montha without proof of purchase of spay or:neuter ss~cea from a Ilceneed veterinarian, including a .
signed otatement from the'licensed velerinkrian 'that such sewices will be rendered by the age of six
months.
h~)://www.hc]p~ganlma]s.com/r¢~_]aw~pa¥o~l.asp .~: ..... .,;.., '~ .,..:~ :. ~.;. :;.:: ........ -.. .... . ·
:lpingAnimals.com // Resources // Take &e Law Into Your Own Hands Page 1~ of.~l 3.
......... i i. There is hereby excepted from the Ilene of this Athene City Code Section the following; .
! (A) Any dog or cat that · Iiconsed vetsrinarisn has determined b medically unsuited to undergo the
i sterilization procedure. A signed stetsment from a licensed veterinarian is required, and the signed
; statement shall state specifically the medical grounds for the exemption.. When the dog or cat's medical
i condition precluding spaying or neutoring is temporary, the licensed Veterinarian shall sign a written
i · statement as to the prognosis of when the surgery may be performed. The dog or cat shall be spayed or
! neut~rsd immeglatoly upon tt~ expiration of the medicol condition unless the veterinarian signs another
i written statement indicating the dog or cat's medical condition precludes it.
~ (B) The breeder of s dog or cat may sell or pisca their animals Intact. The breeder of a dog or cat is
~ defined es a person who owns or leases the dog or cat when the dam or queen was bred. To qualify for
.~ .thla exemption, the breeder must Iiva. in Iha City of Athens, Ohio.' Proofof spay or neuter procedures for
· ..... · ..........· I ....... .. :dogs ~nd cats oovered bersunder~'.shalH~e the.responsibility of Ihs seller, or person gMog the dog or cat'
away. Evidence of spay or neuter prosedures shall be available to the. Aihene City Dog Warden upon
request Any person cited pursuant to this section of the Athens City Code, shall have the citation
dismissed, if there is proof of compliance within fourteen days after the date of the citation. Any person
found guilty of viol.ting this section of the Athens City Code shall be sUbjeof'to'a minor misdemeanor fine
of up to one hundred dollars ($100.00) with proceeds paid to the County Sick and Injured Animal .Fund.
Each day, after the ~diog of guilty, that Ihs violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.Virginia
RIGhmond
· . Spaying end neutering is mandatory, unlesegg, ardlan~.pay $100 s year for a breeder's permit
· If the guardimm foll to pUmhsee the permit, they wlil be fined an additional $50.
· Bresding restrictions limit unsterilized animals to only whelp one litter per animal within the permit year.
~ $eo. 4-~?. (a) No person, shall caU..se or allow any dog or cat..owned, hsrbpred or kept within the City of .
· Richmond ~o bmod Without flint obtaining a breeding permit, as described below. The term 'breeding.
,. permit' means · written authorization, Issued annually by the Deportment of Public Health, giving its
lawful holder permission to breed s dog or a cat. (b) Each breeding permit Shall be valid for one year from
'"' the date of bsuc~n, ce, and.may be.renewed ~mnually before its. expiration date. Each applicant for such a
permit shall pay an ~rmual fee of one hundred .dollars ($100.00) per dog or cat. A separate permit must be
obteined for each owned.d0g ot cat Which la ,llowed !0 breed; .
bo, 4-1'/' (c) (t) The '0wrier ~ i female ~fo~'ir cat th'at la not'sterillaed Shall not all°w the Whelping of '"
mom than one littar per'animal in any household wiihln Ihs permit Year..'
'l Washington '.
King County
" · NI dogs and cola over 6 months old must be spayed or neutered unless the guardian buys an unaltered license
for $55.
' · The county wa,~ olao very ~ggrsasiva'°tmarklting 11~ liconasa by meldng vertous grocery stoma, pet suppl,,~
sho~, and veterinslY clini~ ~ff~,ma~ sol .e~, .,,o,u~ts as well as operating door-to-door sales.
· It la illegal'to edvortise to King County residents the availability of any unaltered dog or cat.
Chap IV, 8e¢. '1t.04A00. MandetorYSpeying.and Neutering A. No person Shall own or harbor any cat or
dog over tho age of six months that hse not been spayed or neutered unless the person holds an.
unaltered animal license for the animal pursuant to K.C.C. 11.04.030.
chaP. IV, aec. tt.04.~'10. Unsltamd Dogs end Cate. Advertising requirements. No person in
unincorporated King county shall publish or advertise to King County residents the'availability of any
unaltered cat or dog unless the publication or edvartisement includes: the unaltered animal's license
number or the animal's Juvenile license number, provided, however that noIhing in this chapter shall
p.~rohibit licensed bresdem from sdva~si.ng In netionsl publications for asia of s planned litter or litters.
Tacoma
· It is mandatory to spay or neutor animals impounded for the second time.
· .4, licensing dif~rsntiel increaead Iicansing of unelterod animals from $14 to $50.
You C"n Improve the fives ofd-°~ argl e. ati tuf~rin_o from cruel _ty and nealj~.
Fon~mrd this to friends.
Petfit~der Library Page 1 of 2
O~..Or ~ ~ ~ AI Ind~ I~)
A~E ~ L~ng ~e~ OuL..Or Not
: All: ~ - A ~ N Ind~/O~r I~uea
·
GENDER ~mpanion Ani~ P~ ~r
z~P ~ c~, STA~OV ~ ..
mom andm~ ~ am ~ng in - b~ming.~n~ ~, ~at i~.
P~c ~Ev~ ~ As su~, ~ ~ geneml~ ~ading longer, hea~l~ I~.
~.~.~- ....... ind~r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~n to ~ y~ ~ld, ~d ~y ~ u~ ~. ~n~s
xpanded ~ who am o~r ~n ~. ~~ o~n~ m~ au~ ~r ~'. :'
e~mnme~ ~ I~ on ~e ~ J~ ~i~,
~ or hU~"~;'~d no 0~~'~ m~ing ~hi~;
81~ MAP
Y~, ~en we ~ t° make our ~ ~d~n~ ~mpan~ns, we have
a ~ponsi~l~ ~ p~ide ~e sflmul~ ~ n~m pm~d~
p~s a~mafl~l~. 8~ing n~ climbing ~ ~me ~eud~s;
~;~ in~e t~ ~mme hued hims, ~gs and fl~d mi~. A ~ng a~y
~ ~t pla~hings pm~d. ~eme~, ~d~ and ~e~.
SHELT~6
~at ~, many ~ ~ ~11 p~r ~ aham ~e Gm~ O~oom w~
va~n~ns am im~ ~ Indoor ~., ~y am .~n~al to t~ h~
' ~ ~ ~ts .11~ o~ide. The ~il d a galen or y~ ~n ~r di~a.s
~SS~F~;~ spread ~ ~, u~e~na~d m~ ~r m~ ~8. ~d rabies has
. ~ 8p~d wet mu~ ~ ~ ~nW, ~~ ~nly ~gh a~ons
-~ ~ ~ldl~ 8u~ as ~, m~n8 and ~.
-I~ & ~
· E~NT CALENDAR ~e "~ ~ ~ ~1~ ~ ~ ~ ~Jw ~ Ume ~m is to e~er
~.~in him ~'~ ~.~ ~.~-~.or.~
HAPPY ~AIL~ s~n~n en~um ~ ~nmd4n ~ ~ ~ ~-p~f ~ng.
· ~ Hold ~e Une
HELP ~ ~ESS Harness ~ining,'like maw ~ing8, is ~81~ ~ug~ during ki~enh~d: B~
AD~RTISE ~me adult ~ ~n a~ima~ to ~. Choo~ a ~gu~ or H~e ham.s
and mak~ sum ~ ~ w~l. ~e · i8 ~ht ~ ~u ~ ~m~ g~ your finger
~ ~ ~ 8~ ~ harness.) N ~m, p~
min~. ~ a Ume, p~mbly Ju~ ~m m~Wme or du~ng play
hlmor ~r ~mg ~'~n~ ~r a ~ ~ .h~ ~ns; ~y nemy In
~ ~e I~sh ~ ~ ~ing. ~e ne~ ~p 18 ~ pi~ up ~e 1~ah
and ~11~ ~e ~ around ~e h~. ~i8 ~11 all~ ~ ~t to get u~d ~ a
human ~ll~ng ~hind, p~or to p~iding genUe guidan~ with ~e leaah.
~etfinder Library Page
V~en..Y°Ur cot Is.comfortS. ble.!aldng light dire~0n, Proceed to a quiet area '
· '. . outdoom~' Keep y.OUr flint..~e.. ~.Shm~,'f~nt ~ Upbeat; little food .
.... .. peeled for oil-leash dogs, in-line ~ta!:l:or b .icy~i~ts who could'pUt'Tabby ": ' .'.." '
in danger Or give her asCam. ' ......."'. ' ·
Hey, Fen~.e Me Inl
Since outdoor enclcoums can be homemade or commercially constructed,
they come in all shape~ and sizes. For durability, chain link, chicken wire
or wire mesh hardware cloth - secured around a simple wood frame - is ..
preferable to ordinary window screening. Roofing le, neceseltY Since cots
am exceptional climbe~. The mcet ~ucce~ful ~ructures Include climbing
and resting furniture inside. A ,haded area complete with · water bowl is
· requimdforwermorhotweetherusege. ·
VVhether you choose an outdoor enclosure or add m-proof netting to the
· .top of trsditional fencing, remember that they are best used only when you
are at home and oUtdoors with your cots or able to check on them often.
Pet thaf~ only takes · few moments,, whether perpetrated by P!~ky
neighborhood ki~ or an organized group rou.,nding up mnim. als to sell to
research facilities. Don't forget, a miorochlp, tattoo or ID tag is'the very
thing to reunite you and your family feline ff all precoutions Fail
' J~8.PCA ·
New York, NY 10128-8804
postage. Click Here b~ ,~ee What '... .
http://.www.petfinder, org/joumaliadex,cgi. ~a~publie~.. i.vingwithy OUrpe ~ts/iadooro '.utfloorissue s/t";5 ~' ;'g;';:' ~/10t~;006
,ur Chi.is Safer Indoors Page 1 of 2
Policy and Guidan~ Your Cat h Safer lndoom
Sm~en~
B~di~ ~ Oom~& N~
· ~m.- ~.r- ~uu ~ for doi~ ~. M~ ~ do ~ ~ ~e~ m~ co~ ~ f~ ~m m do ~. B~ not so
· ~a~m wi~ ~e ~ How w~d~ ~is w~ld world ~ ~ h~n ~ ~d ~ ~ ~ w~ n~, nd not
~ ~ ~y d~elop W due ~ b~ ~ y~ ~ b ~t h~ no ~e ~ ~pl~ a~ut him. In ord~
· ~ Li~fls~.: ~e~m ~ Cm~ on ~e~ p~h~ A m ~i~.has nff~ b~n ou~oors ~11 have no d~e m p ouL
who ~ ~i~ly h~ ~ w~ m ~v~ mu~ d~ nd ~J~lo effofl m ~e hob~ of b~ing b~cr
~ md who avoid ~c ~ of a ~lm of ~ nd nc~ mU. ~u~ ac ~o~ o~ons
~ U alI do our ~fl ~ ~hg OUr ~ ut at hbmet ~ hi~ h dm ~ ~y f~ nd ~ve ~i,
O~s ~ ~ ~ m ~ ~ cl~ h p~ ~ ~ f~ nd l~d. No n~s should bc
Eye.body ~o iov~ and unde~nds flu shouM mab · hb du~ m ur~ on an Mucaflonal proFam or bb
o~, h o~er ~ MuuU o~en who have not ben so romnaa m have ~e usoclaflon ora ~t ~mpanion.
m ://wv,-,v.c fainc.orn/articles/safer-indoors.html - ""' ..... 7/19/2006
Craf~ipg, Solutions Page' 1 of 4
r'~ ~l e-mall this oaae
By waiving foOlMUOn end publlc-ecluclUon clmpllgn! Into e comFehenilve Plan, then iddlng
ml~md progrems to stermze c~ts or mmnmge ~11 c~Ordes, yOUr agency mn. be~n eddres~ng cot-
related prow ~n.your communlb/.
If there were one recipe to help shelters luccloifufly
relive problems relied to cite, It would be pdntod on
this pAGe. But Suet lo there I$ no lingo reason why cats
pour into your sheltor, there Ii no elngis Wutlen that wm
gu~We enCh I loving home. There am, horM,
~Wll epi~oich~ met WO~ undo. ch· epP~pdito
clrcumlt~n, nd plenty Of Innovative Ideas thet ely
· help your shelter fashion h own lolutlonL
Huron· edvOcites uluelly booth by cofllldednO cit- .
control Ispl~WUen, publlc-Educitlen clmlmlgnS, end
cat programs, along wRh the ever-pr·loot Iply/~__,~___ .
preO~ms. Zdeellfl i compr~enilv~ pll~ Wm combine. III.
mm atreteglen. But s~nce moat orgenb~Uons IKk the
t~ne end resources to pursue every evenue, s~me focus
first on ir·la that wW renp the Oreete~ rewirdi, theft
oreduilly redl out different loomento of their pins over the cowll of months or yelre.
EKh cow ha, Itl ~nochs endW#im#s#' L#lJlUon .may be an effective .way to bring eimut
change, but ISWi nfl be .dlff~J._. ~ to plop and elforte, W even ,the ~ Of them cen~ mndete levlnO,
IlfolonO reisWlps wlm inlmels.' EffeWve minloem~nt. '~ 'of fern cet colonllo ely 1Wi) Celt·in groups
of onlmlb, but wiU not icmmpllsh much for me thou~nde of other ~ee~o~n~no o),
community. Used Iff cenJuncUon with one another, however, tho end other proorima Iddreli l
muWtude of pr(Mw from spghUy different engk~., ovldlpphlg end complemenUq end1 other.
LEGzsLA'~ON '
~om ought to he~ e L~w ·
By lobbing for effloUve mt con~el, humene orpnbJUons can mmpel peo~e to do the right chlng
· m~y becluse ~'1 che liw. But more ImpmtenUy, ~e pillage Of luch le~lUon encowlgel IndMdull
pet ownel to voluntofl~ eMde by the standards and ex~4cWUenl lotab~hed by che communKy. Sonm
of ~o more effecUve laws championed by she~ere Include mendetm7 IIc~fl~flg (or, i~emltMy,
reglsb~Uen and IdenUflcBUofl w~hout I fee), confinement, !~, Ind. mendeWry hMdl~g ~edods
for streyenimels brought h~to shMtorL ' '
Anyone who'l Ipent Ume blhlnd the front Counter of'in eld~ibl'~hlltOr knowl how dlfilcult It IS to
reunite I lost cat with his owner. Reclaim ret# for cetl uluelly hover eround two er chree percent,
compmld with ~S-20 percent for dogs. Why the d3splrity? ~ ere. I number of r#sene, Imaudlng the
report ItTay Cltl chin choy are strey dogS,, end, 0~ courll~ the foct thlt many of che Cit, s ChK alTtVe et
wear proper IdenUflClUOn. Thit'l ~metldng Nme ~ govlmmento are 1371ng to correct with mt-
.licenling Isglelatlen, which requlre~ ploPfo to diem oWnerahlp Of their cato, place ID rigs on the
animals, and ply · smell fee to register them with the city or county.
'Obvloudy,'inlmel$ wend~g IdenUfl .caU. en get ~,~ i !0t mM1 quIddy,' IlyS Dleni Webber, exeoJUvo
director Of the Benton-Frenidln Humane Sodety In Pasco, WlIW, where Cat I .l~ng Is now under
cats in.the erdo thet we.nGw handle more c!ts thin wo de degL Dog ownes and nan.pet W~ ·
The threat of rebles Il yet lnother problem that may be ~ with the help of (:~t IlcenJng. 'Cltl ore
mush more likely to come In contoct with ! rlbld inlmM,' Ilyl Webber, 'end the only ~ wly to
contrel, rablel vKclnatlens la through a IlCenling program.' What's more, when a pet owner v~lto a
vatldflid!n for e roi)Ill vi .c .CI~_. _etlon; It'l e grout OppOrt~lty to prmdde oL~ lend(lo th!t wlfl prot~
th. anlm!~ hOlm. By prG~G~ng ch!t S,m vKmB~ ~ tmked VdW ,..l~ pregrem; butane'
agendlo cio Improve the heelth of Indlvldull enimell and help tho entire communty, reloon enough
for Ilwmlkere end public henlth offlcIIII to !uppoit the !del,
~l~e Same, Only Olfferelltlel
By alettng a dlfllrenUel IIc~ program~ pet.(wmerB, ny, $5 to I~enle i sterllised e .nlmel.
and $2S to Ilcenll In umtodliZed enlmel--I~ ceo mike i Ilamslng program even more effecUve
by encoureglng pet owners to hive tomy animals Nmyed or peutored. Even Ir a .cerise Is never'
Unfortwlately, few munldplllUlo hive tho relouKen to mike lUre that every animal In the JudldlcUon
is IICenNd. Some egend# Cenv#!.ch~ communl~, going from door to door to make sure chat every
pat OwIler compll& 'ThIs mechod Of ~ will be ~.for iome, but igefldll chit
Ilcenl~q ,I ·'se~k:e tO tho commun~ end u a loK Pr qnlurence policy' for Ind~tduel pet ovmore wm
be eve,.more luc~els~ul. . ' .
The Implct will muWply If your ooenc~ cio obtlln tho cooperetlon of vetorbllrl~na In the ir·a,
AllChUl County (ill.) Animal ~ has doM. 0telnllly, many vetorlnidlna in the county wire
he~B~ to offer nmm~ to ~ cn~!,.~ ~..Ww,.. ~x mnmo~-.B~ e local pollution
worked with Ahlma! Send~ to dellon i !~lclel dloel th be M by Vetodn!dlrm enrolled In the
I~ogrmm. M loon en the Idem woo lUOOlotod to vatednldBn~, chm who Imdn~ prevtousP/perUclpated
hm ://wvav.animalsh~tcrin~`~r~/res~uroe:~bm~ma~azine2anio~s/sep-[oct-~998~raftin[so~u~n~ 711012006
Crafting Solutions Page 2. of 4.
feared competition from pa~ctpstlng viterinldln$. As a result every vitorinarfen soon enrol ed In ~he
program without I ducal ever beinp produced. '
~_foW.~?m.un~w, a_nlm_ml ~ ind centto! ogsncles ~ even. found that pressure feom pet' .owners
eo~. ~.v~./ll .r~lflS_~l Q ...1~-. IJCel~le is ! lerv!M..to ~hMr ~CIW)tL Whorl I pet owne' in NeW Odflnl
cea m heavy nne for Mi#n; to IlCe~le his onlmll, he liked hii viteWmdln why the doct~'
mW him of the requirement. The vel~lnlrlln slw Ihe need to chinoe, Ind now sells Ilce~sol it the
dinlc.
A few ogendeS hi~e:'inbblsd, fo~:cet~eflt tlws With ~rylng degreeS' of succe~. ObviouSly, If
your agency cen convince pet owners to keep their cots Indoors, you¶ be' protecting animals and
decreasing your own wofldold as well. ·
F~e..~ ~thq Aumm. A~mlt ~ ~Cdmdo pu~hod local lawmkere to piss on er~nonCe
"?.~; rm.u ..P~..:~_.L~. ~:~ .V~d~n! ~nd oth~; ;itherod nowl dippings, surveys,
,enlmtn0thmmmm~s ll~..'whfle~themto.l~.theo~) . . . . . ':.
· ~thout i coordlnltod effort, however, K~I neldy ImpOlllb~ tO push through cit-contrM leg~itlon of
any ~nd..As. soon m,s lum propom! arm mtrec~uc~, many ~..r~scrmed 'cmt hWel? hist that
xf your mh~ter ii c°.md~nO p.i~.O ~ cm~,mnmno or ~;Connnemmnt :te~mUon, you m.y be We
to tatum the ~ocus to the larger Imsuem by amceml~ pu~ IonUment W~ll I sunmy (see the ddebor on
page 8)."Ou~ c~y counca hms found the oppas~on on cat b~l ~ very vocel--ake in unneutored mile
cat It night°' lays Kith~ Savelkyo Innmer execut~e dlrKtor of the Ponlrmula Humane Sodety (PHS) In
suf~ey InfortolUofl It your hlnC~ you cea ~ po~Udmll In idvlnce.' Oncl ~. Wmlklre sol that the
m~odty ~ psolde In tim community support leg~mUon, ttmy'U be i~e to ~ok beyond the Imll~r but
more vocel groups that op~oso ~.
Another To~d In the ?OOlb~x' ' " .....
Gonntl HoPre, ~ of PiIm hKh Couf~y (Fll,~ Anhnli Clre ind Contrei,wso faced With such
opps~lon nearly m yelre igo, w~ cat Ilcon~n0 wu flret propoced In the region. Ovonvhdmed by
the pu~lc outcry, coun~ comm~onerl W the proponl. But dx yeare liter, tho 1oenc~ once
,Olin begin, pthorlno suppQ~t for Ut !~n~ng:
d~ um iroufid we d~.o. ur h0mmv0d~' ~ #0~. 'WiW i ~ Of ume with cat f/t~dere,'at"
..we mN to.mv~._. _~ p~ ~ We ~:.dU. d~ W. ~ pr~' Alter'th~m yemrm of dmvldfig
me ~mit wmy to I,g~itm ~m contm~,'.me'mgoney'W M ~1 tO' the amity' · ' :'"
commmww~ Whin tho uae cem'~ p~. Khe,~d~ ~t, one. pekin o~J~ to me munance. ·.
But there'wil Itlll sume question of tho igsncy's ibllJty to enforce the ordlnlnce, if cite without
IIW Wore,found mimIng frei, would inlmi! conlTol.bo M to do Wg. JbOl)t Il? Houri .. .
ge~. ?g .... ~, .rom, pouF4e bMn0 bothered by n,,umKe cab, Ind We hid 11o tool to do
inyollng !:bout'It, Itl layo. [With this onPnlnce], we m ceyMg U!It citlshOUld t~ on in octal
~ng .udth..doOL ~ our omceri ire InVMvdd !n tbm' ~ tho brdinince W!,
Tomoox mr mom, so may can rsooke the roue between the nmg~bere Ind help'the ceto."Yhe Inw took
effoc~ In September of tide year.
su~., i.n m~y .c~m ..m~. - m..bid, to.hr ummme wm b, ~mcu~ to iv,roi. ~ .zn'.m,
to m_mply.re0mer, they ~..w~...'UW city er .~mnty (~o~ nO ,IN_), or Id!.ce identmtatinn on the inlmal.
w??. ,?ch ..p~ m, a.~.~ id,l, th? anco..w~ me uN iof: XD ap, n,croch!gs, or ear togs, and
ma...o~n ow~..e~p., wmcn Increases me nu~ 0f. llTay' cats. ~re~um. ed home SaMy and helps "·
negnoore rmn.nuze cenfJJcts by MentlfyIng imm ceutng I nuisance. '
Fixing 11~lnge for Good
koud.y, .O~?'d~._t~_.=_~_.:~ Wiy~ tO iOW~ the ~ of ~ming Cats m the community i
n_,mo? af cp...,?Hucm.g .In _~. ~.~rdty....Eye~ ~.~o~d. i .b~m. 'dy be promoUng the..
~ or mpmymg ino neutorl.ng aha rermmg pe~p~ to.~d~md db~lcs when nmry,'but wah
eprom,on that forcms or mtrongr/encoumgss peolxe toitorfl~e thor mnlmm, the bnpmct ~ even
_s?eMcmce ind. mtW hiVe bemd ~ to ~ ,the cat ove~ep'u~Uon pro,em. On me hdlnd Of
OlnU, fl!Nil, cet ownlrl whoso Irdmll~ or~ fouftd sut:doorl·wlthout IdefltJfIcitlon ere liked to p~o~dde
In ID too or mh:r0ddp for their Iflimll; If the anlrnalb'h~to~ ov~ ire Won the epUon of paylflg I
$~00 fine or hi~dng their' Inlmll ~fodl~. Fm~uniin~, 99 percent of those who vlo~te the erdinince
choose to h~ve theb' Ifllmll$ eplyed or neutered,
Twonty-sov~ mm ou~rontoo that ifl~ll Ihol~ doa~ cefltdbute to the overpopu~on pre,em by
req~dno that I~ Irdmll~ a~,~p~d from ~heltor~ be Ipayod er neutered. B~ceu~e idopUon corttmm are
piton difficult to.m, however, some illel~rs hive m harder .uae thin others making:aura pet
Crafting Solutions Page3 of 4
~ owners Ktuelly follow through. ~at In counties like Arlington, vIrginli, few vlollto the ortll~ence, hfs
· '~' because those whe~ fall to ~tortlice their -mlmnis mu~t pay I 6300 fine, el)end e year In Jail, or both.
What's more, each clay that passes beyond the centn,* date m I sepirste offense. Thanks to
these strict ponalbes and the cooperation of the local I~r's office, the law Is very effective. Of
course, even If yom' Stlin or Iocllity ~oeinN: I~vi Such I IIw, your Mter'I own Jf~ll polities should
requlrs the atedll~at~en of oil edoptod enhnbls.
PUBI.tC EDUCATZON CA/4PASGNS
Teaching 'Em ~ Thing or Two
Xt's one thing to uN legislation to push, poke, end prod people Into responsible pet ownership. Zt~ quite
another to gently Iood them omvord with I pub0c educadon campeign. ,
As one part of the Virginia Beach SI~A's push for Ilceneing leglelatton, the shelter began educeUng the
public In en attempt to gather support for the Initiative. 'We wrote letters to the editor, made:rsdlo
[appearances], produced some humorous pmmatinnal pieces, end held e public debate on cat licensing
that wee televised on the local cable, oration,' says Exec,Uve DlrecMr Sharon Adems. The pmmndenel.
effoff gold off end the legisinUen pliNd.
But even without the power of legislation, shelters need to educate or, bettor yet, 'market' responsible
pet ownmThlp to the public, selling It ss advertisers sell any other product.
people's behevlor by employing · ~odbl marketing' approach. We behave the way we do beceuN of the
blformatlon we hive end our pmlenal values, net what the messenger Is telling us to value, but whet
we eireedy veiue. We're b/lng to Influenm e group', behavior In order to ichleve our ol)Jectlvli, ti' they
have a different beilof system, we may not be eble to change their vbluli, but we ,heuld be ible to
convince them to do the fight thing according to their own set of values.'
such e pmcUce eni~ the drmvbecks of fomng to do so. Pth~ and edvertlsemento created by PHS
Iflustrsto the many ~ focmg outdoors cats, offmtng people Pease of mind f~r keeping cats Indoors
rather than sngglitlng beo~le feel gulRy for nlinwing thldr cats o~d0ors. &nd to encourega poo~in to
piece identification on their enlmh% one or PHS's newslm inked: 'You put your ram on your
beach bari, your beer cooler, end your bids' un~r when they go off to school, so you can get them
back if they ire Inst. Why dun~ you put your neme un your Cat?' The question made pet owners think
twice ebeut how much they value their companion anlmll* .
Sodll marbetlng doesn't begin end. end with exbeusb've public alq)usle to convince pet owners to do the
right thing, however. Sometlmli you simply nied to belp then who, lay, went to train their cat to uae
a scratching post Or I litter box. By working with en animal beha~ training volunteers to reqmnd
to call~l' qu~one, or producing ~hlceUonel brKhtall for tbe pt~llr~ yOU cen help prelif~e Ute bend
between cats end their .o. wn.r& By halplng rm~rs enceursge landlords to MEow pets, you1 also be
wceu~ pe~e..~ beWew cet~ M Mm.. ' . · . .'
In .me cern, you rely tven be IMn to lelm a Ilble hm the public. If you're hevlng i hard tinle
cunvlndng people to fog~w your loud, tom I braider look It the msesega you're sending:lnd conllder
why the public hli foiled to embrsce your Irguments. For Inetsnce, I~'bet owners relllt the Idoo thin. iff
,'-ts beiunfi Indoori, you may be able to meet them hblfw.y.
']t'l nat that wi don'T went cats to be outxloori, It'l thin we wlnt them to bi lifo,' lays Lselle Sindnlr,
DVH, director of Compenlun ),nlm Care for The HSUS. "If we Mn crento Iome situatlena where cats
can enjoy the outdoors ~foly, it nmy help us I~ the gap Ween what we went end those who lay,
'! would never force my cet to itoy Indoor& He loyal ti) be outdoors. He'l been gaing 0uUIoors for tel
years, and he'd be mllelble If ] midi him ceml In.' Se ~llk abeut outdoor endolurli, trelning cats to
wllk on Ioolhul, and Io an. If we adjust our ipl)n)lCh, poopll will be more Iikeiy to mike lure theb'
After nfl, more often then not, poodle ict out of love for their nnlmeil, In In at.rapt to do whit they
think Is belt. So you'll want to belld brldpol to touch them rather thnn ere~ harrisre that may keep
them ~rom'hcering your message. Remember, too, that the effect of educetlen wm be Ilmltsd unless
people are given the mourn to net. If your shei~r tm~ts the benefits Of m~lllzedoo In Iow-income nreas,
for Instance, mike lure people hive KCeli to initialized si)ly/nsutor clinlca, if you reque~ the
cammunlty'a help In curbing problems posed by feral cab, mike sure your trap-loan program Is up tn
FERAL CAT NANAGEHENT
Aithau0h Itl dlir tbet cat-rellMd proMenll Ire mm1 flf~lching thin the terr~ prowled by fond
mrs, It~mpts to prevlde humane selutinne to tha"Wll cat problem° ere among the most hotly
dohatod end the most Ilkeiy to mike the heedll~li It' the Iocll pnper. What's more. because forel cats
present the most visible problem, everyone In the cammunlty seems to hnve nn npininn.
Preponents of trsp-tost-VKClnlto-nltsr-relusse-lnd-mooltor ('I"~VARH) pregrems garner support by
touting the rainy benefits of such programs. Ferll cats are eiiswed to live out their liven In their own
envlrunmenb The number of enlmnls gredunlly deC.nose until the celeny IS eliminated. And thanks to
people In the cemmunlty who nra more then willing to feed Ind care for the nnlmnis, humane
organlzItinn~ need only prevldo ganerei oversight and ipoy/neutor nseistonca, ~porlng them the need
to devote so much time and energy ts housing and euthanlzing enlnmla.
But the dM surroundIng foml cat management prngrsml cendn.ea, Some say the pregramn
contradict the Ihelt~'e fneliIge that bll (:Its Ihauld be Indoor cat& In flor, many anlmll control
igencl~ would be violating their raimon If they endorsed e pregrlm that allows animals to mem. And
CraRing Solutions
Page 4 of 4,.
uide
A
Guide
for
Legislato'rs
and
Humane
Advocates
Resource8 safe cato Campaign ~Kit
If you want to be an advocate for cats,
start with this kit. It includes aH the
Animal Sholt"ring MagazUno S~ Can materials, including the
Features news and information about ca. booklet yOu are holdin§.
and other animal care and control, issues. PM2277
Published bimonthly by The I-ISUS. 1-$/$4.00 each
I-Is0013 .6-49/$2.75 each
· Subscriptions are $1! for one=year~ ...... ' "=' $0+/$2.40 each
$16 for two years
Animal Control Managomorrl= A.Safe Cat I° O'HoPPY .Cat "'
The Safe Cats campaign brochure gives the
A Guide for Local Govornmonl~ hm about keeping cats safe and happy-
This 108-page book provides a wealth indoors.
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care and control program that protects both 6-49/$0.40 each
citizens and' animals. Written by The HSU.~. ' 50+/$0.30 each
and published by the International
City/County Management Association Clgt COra
{ICMA), Published in 2001. A hvorite of shelters for their adoption
AC4037 packets, this best-selling booklet covers
$11.00 cat care basics-adoption, health care,
Community/Appro~ohoa 'Ix} Fgr~i nutrition, introducing a cat to your
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Cats"- Problams, ,4]klt~m~tll/es, ' safe yet stimulated.
and Rooommondations
This 144-page softcover book, written ~ ~ 1-$41.99 each
by Margaret R. Sister, DVIVI, PhD, 6--49/$1.25 each
"serves as a comprehensive resource for $0+/$0.73 each . .
those interested in making informed, .
humane decisions about the management The ~rfe Cat. Guide
of feral cats in their communities.'-J~vl. . tO C~t [=[IW
Scarlett, DVM, PhD, Corneil University This booklet describes local ordinances
College of Veterinary Medicine. Published and prego'ams that Protect both cats
in 2002 as part of the Public Policy Series and communities.
of Humane Society Press.
PIVI2282 .................... '~i.~:~i,'=' $1.$0 each .! ;"" "
$22.50
Me Cat" Print
V~forking for Anita,Ms: Three sheets of print-
' A Nandbook for Lobbyist. ready public service
This easy-to-read booklet provides tips for announcements {with
influencing federal legislation. Includes an three on each sheet}
outline of the legislative process and a feature messages
glossary of terms, about keeping cats safe,
L6010 spaying and neutering,
$2;00 ' ' ...... '~ . - and responsible cat care.
PIVI~140
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Featuring MontoJ Willbmo
This 30*second public service announcement
narrated by Mantel ~illiams urges listeners
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1 compact disc: $2.$0
Guide to. Cat Law
Laws That Address'*
. . . . . T~ ~ ~1~0~ more. domes~ ~..ro~ o~ s~, ~leys,
Cats ' vast ;on, hms; =d ~=~i~ hvM ~n'ahndOned
............. · ........." "* :'*"~ :' .... ~ ~ ~i o~m oz ~ in ~e ~ld.
FOR ~0~ ~ PO~ D~, i~n~on
dogs ~s ~s~ on ~ ~e l~l~d ~te 1~. La~ Keeping Communities Safe..
req~ri~ the r~s~afion, r. Kain~ and ~n~l~of. ~ng~o~ ·
dogs are pa~ of ef~ve p~ l~slafion ~t pro~ ~ ~ ~e ~in~ im~~ of ~ ~roaming ~.~on. o~r ..
tho~ la~ is p~ of ~i~ a g~d p~ ~v~ "of ~i~ of dol~n ~ y~ ~nuoH~ s~ny n~mab,
Cats, on ~ o~er ~n~ bye o~ ~ i~or~in ~m n~~d ~. ~~ ~ s~dbox~, to~.~'
anim~ ~re and consol le~on ~d ~ve ~ pro~o~ . ~" H~ '~
· e Unit~ S~s-~ ~ now more ~ ~ d~'~ U.S. ': :~on~,a~! ~t~s ~ ~y. Cats ~ n~ a major .'
household-and ~e corr.pon~ ~dy ~se of ~ f~ of 1~1 a~ ~ ~d ~ntmi ag~; ~ ~e Put,
entering animal shel~rs, it is im~tive ~t co~. ~ a~. conc~ m~t of their effom on dog
ena~ le~da~on ~t w~l pro~ ~th a~ma~ ~d ~ople consol and ~e.
in those commu~6~. ~im~ con~! age~a we~ amblished d~d. a~.
Carc~lly ~d le~sla~on ~n ~p ~ ~t ~u ~ prima~ly to ~ol
recopied by ~e ~w as domMc ~s who a~ k~t H ~t Cau ~e now ~ m~t common dom~ic v~or of
pets, and the at ow~rs a~ made le~y rnpo~ble for mbies, ~ 249~ r~oR~ ~ 2000 in the U~ Stat~'.
their Wu' a~ioM a~ wdl-b~ In ad~o~ by d~a~ng , ~u who m~ p~c~ly ~ ~ a~ ~y m ~omc ·
the 1~! ~ms of dom~c ~H, ~t c~ and ~n~l mm conuR wi~ n~! ~n, ;ndu~g r~coons
lam promote ~c ~omible ~re of ~ a~s, and ~, ~e pr~ v~or ~u of rabiu~ in the ~ld.
~is bookl~ is intended m ~e as a ~de for ~yone To control ~is epidemic, 25 smt~ now man~te.. ~bia.
interested in pmpos~ le~la~on ~at a~ dom~c ~ts, vacation of ca~ and ~ additional 13 ~q~ l~al ·
whe~er o~d, stray, fre~ma~ or ~i. As ~ any j~is~o~ to va~Mte can a~ ~bin.
le~slafion, in~vid~s ~std ~ ~lp~ ~u ~o~ F~-mam~8 ~n a~ ~H ~lions of ~ld a~ls
le~sla~on should work wi~ ~o~ ag~u ~vol~d in ea~ yu~ Sm~ hve
animal control and pint.on. ~ey ~ be able m provide ~!~ ~ sm~ m~, top. bias, ~, ~d bir~, ....
e~cnfial suppoR and ~o~on ~t ~ ~d m s~ Ev~ ~H-~d. horn w~
le~slation, ~e p~ge of la~ r~r~g ~u ~q~ a ~t ~ m h~t'p~,'n~
de~ of public ~u~On. To ~at ~dible solu~om, you ~ n~ ~ of M~ ~s~, ~d ~e~ P~°n
must ~t a~n ~e pmble~ and ~fl~d ~e ~u~s. ~mu ~n~ s~r~g and d~ to wild ~ab.
Befo~ you ~, as~ w~t laws ~dy ~st ~ ~d~e
wi~in yo~ comm~iu or yo~ ~t. ~en ~ide ~t ~e ~m, coyo~, and b~
new lc~sla~on shoed a~mplhh and wh~ it shoed ~ mo~ n~fl, pi~ p~n~ ~d bi~ loveu apim
enacted at ~e ~U, co.u, or mt l~el. For g~ on ~t o~m who aflow
· e proc~ of ge~ng a law p~s~, ~e pages 1~15. ~lly, ~e nmber of vol~ta fa~ ~t ~e~ who
hve ~t
Why Cat--fid h. .''
mine 1~ 8o~n of the ne~ for le~sla~on m help
Peoplc Need aw$
con~l pr~m, ~ a r~ul~ some local governments n~
DUR~G ~E ~D-1980s, ~u ~ame ~e~'s moR coo~at wi~ fe~ ~ ~ers in res~nsibly mana~~
pop~ peu. ~ ~e par ~o d~dH, comm~ ~ve pm~s ~t ~p, t~ ~t, alt~ ~l~t, and monitor
faced in~as~ problems' ~ia~ to ~mmi~ ~- ~~} fR~m~ ~u. ~e goal of such pm~ms is
owned ~ allowed m go ouBide and s~y and ~1 m smbil~ ~ ~t colonies and ~enm~iy elimina~ them
(semiwiid) ~. T~y ~ere ~ more ~ 60 ~on ~ou~
Keeping Cats Safe registration(licensing) fees and user fees. Sufficient funds must:
· be allocated to implement prevention programs; hire and train
For the cats themselves, unrestricted freedom to roam can leadstaff;, construct or renovate animal-holding facilities; and
to abbreviated'life spans. The Humane Society of the United purchase and maintain equipment to handle, house, and care
States {HSUS} estimates that the average lifespan of a free- for cats.
roaming cat is less than three years, compared to 12-15 years long-term solutions developed' to respond to cat-related
for the average indo°r-only cat. Free-roaming cats are hit by conflicts should foster the responsible caretaking of cats. Eveqr
cars and other vehicles; succumb to rabies and other diseases;community's ultimate goal should be for every resident cat to
ingest poisons on chemically treated lawns, in bait left out to have a loving, permanent home and caregivers who keep the
kill rats or mice, and in auto antifreeze that leaks from cars; cat safely confined and meet the animal's special needS.
are attacked by other cats, dogs, and wild predators'such as .
coyotes; and sometimes are victimized by crue! humans. The Elements of..an
In fact, two out of three veterinarians recommend ' . ·
keeping cats indoor,, most often citing d.nger, from vchi=~es s:ffective Commun
and disease.'
Tragi~ly,~er~ma~vep~.tof"found'cats.ken Cat (:are end ~ontrol
in by animal she~, .~. re.ted with th'~r ownem. S~y PrO9 ra m
owned cats !ack registration (licensing} tags or any other
form of identification, and when such cats are lost, it is AT A MIHIMUM, The' HSUS believes that every c°mmunity's~
nearly impossible for animal shelter personnel to reunite . cat care and control program should include the following,
them with their caregivers, all of which should he codified by state.statute and/or local
ordinance:
Ho~ to Best C'on~rol o ~andatory regis~tion Ilicensing)o~cats <see P~ges
~r~d ~)rotec:t ~t~ if a fee is charged, it should be higher for unsterilized cats
than for sterilized cats (a concept called ~differential
HISTORICALLY, communities have resPonded to cat-related licensing"}
conflicts by using methods that rarely provide long-term~ Mandatory identification of cats; in addition to requiring
solutions. For example, traditional progratus to reduce feral that cats wear collars and tags, communities should
cat populations include either live-traPp'm[; and enthanizing consider implementing a backup permanent identification
cats or live-trapping, sterilizing, and relcas~ng cats so that system such as a microchip .program {see pages 4--6}
they cannot reproduce. Neither approach, however, provides ~ Mandatory rabies vaccinations for all cats older than
a long-term solution unless carried out in conjunction with three months of age-the age recommended by vaccine
a comprehensive cat control program.. Trap-and-enthanizemanufacturers .{see pages 6-8}
policies may alienate feral cat caretakers and many cat lovers, o Mandatory sterilization of all cats adopted from public and
Trap, sterilize, and release programs that are not actively private animal shelters and rescue groups (see page 8}
managed may alienate residents not willing to tolerate free- m 'Mandatory sterilization of all free-roaming cats (see
roaming cats in their neighborhoods. Morcover, these pages 8--9}
approaches are labor and cost intensive. ~ A mandatory minimum shelter holding period for stray
It is important for communities to develop and implement cats consistent with that established for stray dogs,
comprehensive laws, policies, and education programs about preferably five days,.including a Saturday; this policy
cats and cat care. Such laws, policies, and programs should be should allow for euthanasia of suffering animals before
designed to reduce cats' suffering and respund to cat-related completion of the holding period {see page
conflicts, yet remain acceptable to people in the community. ~ Laws and policies that are consistent with the responsible
These laws and policies must be periodically evaluated and management of feral cats (see pages 11=13}; for example,
updated, if cats are required to wear identification in a jurisdiction.,
Local governments must also adequately fund animal care then feral cats in managed colonies should be identified
and control programs and enforce cat con~rol ordinances,using, microchips and/or visible means of identification
using general revenues as well as monies collected through such as tattoos (some communities also notch the left
ears of male feral cats, and the right ears of females,
to indicate that the cats have been sterilized)
' HSUS veterinarian smd}, conducted in June 2001 blt Jacobs Jenner & Kent.
In addition to those provisions, some local jurisdictions against the disease as a prerequisite for getting the cat
have gone further in addressing the prOblems caused by sterilized. This is especially important because cats are
free-roaming cats by incloding the followin8 in thei~ cat' ~.-.' ~ ..... nowthe number one domestic vector of rabies in gte
control ordinances: .. United States.
· Cat control and restraint (see pa~.s ~--11) SAMlrt.E REGISTRATION .ORDINANCES
· Restrictions on the number of cats per hoUSehold
(commonly referred to as ;'animal limitation ordinances"; Fort Wayne~ Indi~ns
see page 11) .
· Registration o! feral cat caretakers (see pages 11-13) Sec. 91.050 Pet Registration Required; exception; tags;
microchip implant.
Finally, in addition to effective laws that address the
responsible care and control of cats, every community'" (A) Any person ownin&'keeping, harboring or having
should have an ongoing public edUCation prog,,~un that cUStody of any dngor cat over.the age of three months must
promotes responsible cat care and should offer subsidized obtain a pet registration for such animal; provided, however,
sterilization programs to encourage cat owners to sterilize that no pet registration shall be required of any animal
their cats. There also must be adequate and apprOpriate welfare or~ninati°n, municipal animal control facility
shelter holding space, staffin~ and other resources necessaryor ~ovemmental agency, or ~uide dog. Animals belonging
to humanely hold stray felines for the mandatory minimum to those agencies or persons will be issued complimentary
holding period, registration tap.
(B) A dtwable tag stamped with registration number and
/ar c/ator I:lelIistration,of C, ts ~ of.issuance will be provided to pet registration holders
for each t~istration granted. Dogs and cats must wear their
A government-mandated cat registration proem (historically tags at all times on their collars, except when involved in any
called "licensip~") serves UStha foundation for any cat control oqlanized show, obedience demonstration, training situation,
program. Such prOgrams for dogs, enacted by an estimated or under the care of a licensed veterinarian.
90 percent of cities end counties; have been a hallmark of (C) Any person owniog any dog or cat may, in addition
successful dog control programs for decades. The logic to the animal's registration, .obtain a microchip implant for
behind extending those policies to cats is equally'compelling, the dog or cat. In no'case shall the microchip implant replace
Mandatory registration of cats has two goals: primarily, the requirement for the annua~ registration of a dog or cat
to serve as a lUSt-pet recover,/service, and secondarily (when with, the.Department of Animal Control.
a fee is chatted),' to raise revenues to'recOup s~i~Sf'tha costs
(D) Any person °Wnip~ any dog or cat'which has been
of providing animal control services, implanted with a microchip shah transfer the microchip
Because effective mandatory cat registration prOgrams registration with the Department of Animal ContrOl upon
require that cats be outfitted with some form of identification, sale, trade~ han~ ~ or transfer of an animal.
they encourage more caregivers to do so. Statistics show that
mandatory registration progenms increase the numbers of ('74 Code~ $ 6-7) (Ord. G-14-81, paSSed 9.11181; Am.
impounded cats returned to their owners. After Oahn, Hawaii, Ord. G-16-95, passed 6-13-95; Am. Ord. G-119-95, passed
began requiring that all cats wear visible identification or be 11-21-95) (Penalty, see $
microchipped in 1995, its return-to-owner rate.~ed from
0.9 pe ent of impounded cats ca.) in .ra.S C unt ' W. .,st0n
to four percent (617 cats) in fiscal year 11002.
While revenues from registration fees will never be enough .11.04.030 Pet licenses required..
to fund an effective animal care and control program, they
nonetheless c~n help provide supplemental ~venue-and A. License Requirements. All dogs and cats eight'weeks
put some of the responsibility of funding cat-prOtection and over which are harbored, kept or maintained in
programs on cat owners. Through a mechanism called King County shall be licensed and registered annually.
differential licensing,'in which higher registration fees areB. License Issuance. Pet licens .es shall be issued by the
charged for unsterilized cats, mandatory registration also animal control section .and may be issued by veterinarians,
provides a financial incentive to have cats spayed,or nautered, pet shops~ cetteries~ and kennels and other approved locations
Another benefit of cat registration is that it helps prevent upon application and the payment of a license fee made
the spread of rabies by requiring that cats be v~ccinated payable to the department of finance according to the
schedule provided in K.C.C. 11.04.035 of this chapter:' Mandatory Identification
1. Pet licenses for unaltered dogs and cats will be of Cats
valid for a term of one year from the date of issuance,
expiring on the last day of the twelfth month. Pet licenses Xn lieu of mandatory registration, some jurisdictions
for altered dogs and cats will be valid for one year, have passed laws requiring that cats wear some form of
expiring on the last day of the twelfth month. There is identification. Such 'laws help convince more cat owners
no proration of any license fees. Renewal licenses will to outfit their felines with identification without requiring
retain the original expiration period whether renewed them to also pay a fee to the government.
prior to, on, or after their respective renewal month. The disadvantages of this approach are that the
2. Juvenile licenses must be obtained for pets from government derives no revenue from the program, there
eight weeks to six months of age. is no centralized repository of information about the cats
3. King County residents sixty-five years of age or in a community, and owners must. affix separate tags to
older may purchase a special permanent license for the their animals to prove that they have been vaccinated
lifetime of cats or dogs which are neutered or spayed against rabies. ~
and for which they are the registered c)wners when said In addition to requiring that cats wear collars and
animals are maintained at said owner'f~ registered address, tags, communities should consider implementing a backup
Such residents shall not be required to annually purchase permanent identification system such as a microchip program..
a new license for the lifetime of such licensed animals;. Rhode bland, for example, passed a law in 1999 that require~
provided, that no person shall be issued more than three cat owners to outfit their charges with identification. The
(3} special permanent animal licenses for any combination statute specifies a variety of acceptable forms of identification,
of three (3) cats .and doss for which they are the registered including traditional ID 'tags; rabies tags, ear tags, microchips,
owner- ' and embroidered collars.
4. Applications for a pet license shall be on forms "
provided by the animal control section. SAMPLE IDENTWICATION ORDINANCES
5. License tags Shall be worn by' dogs at all times.
As an alternative to a license tag, a dog or cat may O'Fallon, Xllinois
be identified as licensed by being tattooed on its right
ear or on its inside right thigh or groin with a license $ 90.11 Identification tags.
number approved or issued by the ani~nal control section. Every owner or keeper of .a dog or cat regardless of age,
6. Owners of dogs and/or cats which hold valid shah cause the dog or cat to wear a collar or harness and shall
licenses from other jurisdictions and who move into King affix the address and phone number, if any, of the owner or
County may transfer the license bY paying a transfer fee.
Such license shall maintain the original expiration date. keeper of the dog or cat.
7. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person
to sell or tramfer ownership of any pet without a pet license. ('73 Codes $ 4.02(b}) (Ord. 770, passed 9-15-75)
The King County animal control authority shall be notified Rhode Island
of the name, address, and telephone number of the new
owner by the person who Sold or transferred the pet. $ 4-22-3 Required Cat Identification. - It shall be
E Nunapplicability. The provisions of this section shall not unlawful for any person to be an Owner of a cat over three
apply to dogs or cats in the custody of a v~erinarian or months of age unless the.person maintains an identification
animal shelter or whose owners are nonresidentS temporarily worn by the cat at all times.
within the county for a period not exceeding thirty days. The identification provisions in this law are not applicable
to the following:
(Ord. 11404 $ 2, 1994: Ord. 10809 5; 2, 1993: Ord. {a} A cat brought into the state exclusively for the
10423 $ 4, 1992: Ord. 10168 $1, 1991: Ord. 7986 $1, purpose of entering them in a cat show or cat exhibition
1987: Ord. 7416 $1, 1985: Ord. 6702 $1, 1984: Ord. 6370 or for breeding purposes and which does not remain in
S 4, 1983: Ord. 5805 S 1, 1981: Ord. 4552 $1, 1979: Ord. this state for more than fifteen (15) days and which is not
3980 $1, 1978: Ord. 3187 $1, 1977: Ord. 2869, 1976: Ord. allowed to be at large.
2158 $1, 1974: Ord. 1691 $1, 1973: Ord. 1396 Art. 11 $1, .(b} A-cat owned by any person who is not a resident of
~t972} the state and is traveling through the state temporarily and
for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.
(c) A cat temporarily kept by a licensed vet~tnarim~ " .when under the conuol of an owner by leash, cord, chain or
a licensed kennel, or a licensed animal shelter or a licensed other similar means of physical restraint that is not more than
municipal pound who nmintain on their premises cats owned eight feet in length.
by others. 'Identification" means: (1} a collar or tag.worn by a
(d} A cat temporarily kept by owners of a licensed pet cat which includes the current name, address and telephone
shop for purposes of sale or by a licensed animal shelter number of the owner, or {2} an ear tag issued by the Hawaiian
or a licensed municipal pound for purposes of adoption. Humane Society, or {3} a microchip re$istering the owner with
{e} A cat kept exclusively indoors or confined in outdoor the National Computer Recovery Network or the Hawaiian
areas and maintained for pedi~eed cat breeding und StUd Humane Society.
purposes. .. " ."ImpOunded(at" means~any ~at'released' to'or'under" ''~ .........
the custody of or control of the Hawaiian Humane Society.
S 4-22-2 Defmitions. - For the purposes of this chapter: "Person" includes corporations, estates, associations,
(d) 'Uldcntification" means: a traceable form of partnerships and trusts, and one or more individual human
identification such as (1) a collar and a flat or hanging tag beings.
worn by a cat which includes the current name, address and (Added by Ord. 95-21)
telePhone number of the owner, or (2) a rabies vaccination
tag, or (3) an ear tag issued by a licensed veterinarian or Sec. 7-6.2 Identification required.
by a licensed animal shelter or licensed municipal pound, .
or (4) a registered microchip, which is used.~in conjunction It Shall be unlawful for any'person to be. an owner of
with a visible collar and tag or in conjunction with a faceted, a cat over six months of age unless the person maintains
reflective ear smd, or (5) a tag from a licensed animal shelter un identification worn by the cat. This section shall not
or licensed municipal pound, or (6) a tattoo registered with apply to cats in quarantine and cats brought into the city
the National Dog Registry or other similar national tattoo exclusively for the purpose of entering them in a cat show
service, or (7) a cat license issued by a Rho~k Island city or cat exhibition and not allowed to be at large.
or town, or (8) a collar incorporating embroidery ns a type (Added by Ord. 95-21)
of information labeling rather than a hanging or fiat tag '
or (9) in the case of feral cats, a,tipped or notched ear in Sec. 7-6.3 Owner-Exception.
conjunction with a microchip or any of the above other =..,~ ........... , .~ . .. ·
formsof identification. The intent is to allow flexibility "Owner' means any person ownin&.harborin$
in the types of identification available for cats and to . or keeping, or providing care or sustenance for a cat,
incorporate other types of cat identification in the'future whether registered or not, or having custody of a cat,
as they are developed, whether temporarily or perm, anently. This definition
' shall not apply to any person, who has notified the
$ 4-22-4 Removal of Cat Identification. - It shall be Hawaiian Humane Society of the cat at large that
unlawful for any person other than an animal control officer,the person has taken into possenion and:
a licensed veterinarian, an employee of a licensed animal (1) Who is or will be transporting the cat to the
shelter, an employee of a licensed municipal pound, or a'~ Hawaiian Humane Society; or ·
person authorized by an animal control officer to remove (2) Who.has made arrangements with the HaWaiian
any identification from any cat not owned by the person. Humane Society to have the cat picked up by the Hawaiian
Humane Society.
City and County of HonOlulu, Hawaii (Added bY Ord. 95-21)
Article 6. Cat Identification Program ' Sec. 7-6.4 Removal of cat identification.
Sec. 7-6.1 Definitions. It shah be unlawful for any person other than an officer
of or a person authorized by the Hawaiian Humane Society
.For,the purposes of this article:. ' .' · · to remove any identification from any cat not owned by
"At large" means: (1) On the premises of a person other the person.
than an owner of the cat, without the consent of an occupant (Added by Ord. 95-21)
or owner of such premises, or (2} on a public street, on public
or private school grounds, or in any other public place, excePt Sec. 7-6.5 Cats released to the Hawaiian Humane Society.
(a) Any person who takes into the person's possenion See. 7-6.7 Enforcement.
any cat at large shall immediately notify the Hawaiian
Humane Society and shall release the cat to the Hawaiian An impounded cat for which an identification is
Humane Society upon request, not maintained by an owner may not be released by the
(b) In the'case of any cat rdeased tothe Haw_niLn~ Hawaiian Humane Society tO a person claiming ownership
Humane Society wearing an identification, the Hawaiian of the cat until the owner comPlies with the identification
Humane Society shall make a reasonable attempt to notify requirements of this article. If an impounded cat, with or
the owner by telephone, and shall send wzitten notice to the without identification, has not been sterilized, the person
ownec The cat shall be held by the Hawaiian Humane Society claiming ownership may be Cited by an officer of the
fOr not less than nine days, after which tirne the Hawaiian Hawaiian Humane Society for a violation of Section
Humane Society may retUrn the cat to the person who had 7-6.6. The penalty for violating Section 7-6.6 shall
released the cat to the Hawaiian Humane Society, offer the be waived upon proof of sterilization of the cat by a
cat for adoption, or euthunize the cat, if not sooner'recovered veterinarian furnished to the Hawaiian Humane Society
by the ownec' An owner wishing to recovc.'r the cat shall pay a witliin_ 30 days after the date the citation was issued. ·
daily impoundment fee of $2.50 for each ~ull day, or fractiOn.(Added bY Ord~ 95-2i)
thereof, that the cat is held by the HaWaiian Humane Society.
(c) In the case of any cat released t° the Hawaiian Sec. 7-6.8 Penalty.
Humane Society not wearing an identification. the Hawaiian' .
Humane Society shall hold the cat 'for not less than 48 hours,Any person found guilty of violating any of the provisions
after which time the Hawaiian Humane Society may return of this article shah be fined not more than $100.00.
the cat to the person Who had released the cat to the Hawaiian(Added by Ord. 95-21)
Humane Society, offer the cat for adoption, or euthanize the
cat, if not sooner recovered by a person ti[aiming ownership. (Article 6 of C, hapter 7, which can'be found at
If a person claiming ownership seeks tO re~over ~be cat, f°u~.co.ho#ol#lu, hi.m/re[s/roh/7.htm)
the person shall pay a daily impoundment fee of $2.50 for
each full day, or fraction thereof, that the cat is'held at the /l//aFJdatory
Rabies
Vaccinations
Hawaiian Humane Society. The widespread vaccination of dogs in the United States has
(d) Any cat released to the Hawaiian Humane Society reduced the number of cases o~ rabies in dogs from 6,949 in
with a 'notched ear," indicative of a sterilized feral cat, shall
be held at the Hawaiian Humane Society for not less than 1947 to 114 in 2000..Today more cats than dogs succumb to
this deadly disease, with 249 cases of feline rabies confirmed
nine days, after which time the Hawaiian Humane Society
may return the cat to the person who had: released the cat . in 2000, not including undocumented cases of stray and feral
to the Hawaiian Humane Society, offer' the cat for adoption,' cats who also likely fell victim to the disease. That is why
state and local governments should ensure that all cats are
or euthanize the cat, if not sooner recovered by a person vaccinated against rabies. In fact, as of 2001, 25 states
claiming ownership. If a person claiming ownership seeks to
recover the cat, the person shall pay a daily impoundment fee mandated rabies vaccination of cats and an additional 13
of $2.50 for each full day, or fraction thereof, that the cat is required.local jurisdictions to vaccinate cats against rabies.
Ordinances related to rabies should:
held at the Hawaiian Humane Society.
(e) If a cat released to the HaWaiian Humane Society is m Make it unlawful'for any person to' own or harbor a
not recovered by the owner, the person who had released the cat over the age of three months without a valid, rabies
cat to the Hawaiian Humane Society shall have the right of vaccination; persons brining cats into the community
first refusal for permanent custody and ownership of the cat. should be required to show proof of such vaccination;
(Added by Ord. 95-21) no exceptions should be made for'cats kept indoors
O Establish rabies vaccination clinics operated by the
Sec. 7-6.6 Sterilization of cats. municipal health department that charge preestablished fees
o Require.that any vaccinated domestic cat who bites a
It shall be unlawful for a cat oWner'to allow a cat over person be quarantined seeurely on the premises of the
the age of six months to be at large unless the cat has been animal's owner (or at the discretion of the director of
sterilized by a veterinarian, public health, in a veterinary hospital or an animal
(Added by Ord. 95-21} shelter) for 10 days
-6-
o Require that any unvaccinated domestic cat who comes any n_~i__m_al bites or wounds a human or when a human or
into contact with a rabid wild animal be quarantined in domestic or captive wild animal is bitten by or exposed to
a veterinary hospital or an animal shelter for at least six. rabies by a suspected or known rabid animal, thc owner
months or euthanized and tested shall comply fully with Florida Administrative Code,
chapter 10I)-3, 'Communicable Disease Control.'
SAMPLE RABIES VACCINATION ORDINANCE (Ord. No. 91-45, 12-$-91)
V/akulla County, Florida ............ ..... ·Sec. 6.005. Potential rabies carriers
Sec. 6.004.' Rabies vacCination required No person'shall, keep, own, possess or harbor any
rabies carriers as a personal pet within Wakulla County,
(a) Frequency; exception. Every dog and cat four (4} Florida. Owners of potential rabies carriers shall be allowed
months, of' age or older shall be vaccinated against rabies to keep, own, possess, or harbor such animal, provided that
with a U.S. Government-approved vaccine. Fach animal they are properly permitted through etate.or federal agencies.
shall be required to be vaccinated no more frequendy Adequate living quarters and confinement must be provided·
than the effective period of the approved vaccine used. for. the animal which, are consistent with the species' normal
Such vaccination is excused only.if a licensed ~an requirements, for size, shelters, exercise area, heats ventilation,
certifies in writing that vaccination would be injurious to light and safety. All areas for the animal must be maintained
the dog's or cat% health. In such case, the dog or cat shall in a sanitary mannez Carriers as defined in this article shall
be confined in an enclosed building or kennel until the dog not apply to properly licensed or permitted museums, wildlife
or cat can be safely vaccinated, rehabilitators, zoological parks or research facilities. It shall
(b) Proof of vacCination; tags. prOof of vaccination shall be the responsibility of.the owner of any potential rabies
consist of a rabies vaccination certificate, a rabies vacch~tion carrier animal to provide proof of the acquisition date and
tag and identification tag which shall specify the .name, the animal's source if requested to do so by the division of
address and telephone number of the owner of the animal, animal control.
Such certificate and rabies tag shall be approved by the .(Ord. No. 91'45, 12-$-91)
director Of animal control. The rabies vaccination tag issued
for one dog or cat shall not be valid for any other dog or cat. Sec. 6.006. Rabies control
(c) Removal of mS. It is unlawful for any person to
remove the rabies vaccination tag or identification tag of (a) Duty to report. It shall be the'duty of any person
any currently vaccinated dog or cat unless: having knowledge that an.animal has bitten or otherwise
(1) The dog or cat is participating in any °rganized exposed a person or domestic os.captive wild aninnal to
exhibition or field trial, or is training for the~ events, rabies to report the incident=immecliately to the division
or is engaged in a legal sport under competent of animal control or to the county health.officer for
supervision; . examination.or for supervised quarantine of the animal
(2).A licensed' vetet~un directs in writing that at the e. xpen~, of the owner.
the rabies vaccination tag be removed for reasons of '(b) Quarantine of cats or dogs. Any cat or dog which
the dog's or cat's health. In such event, the dog or cat has bitten or exposed a human to rabies shall be quarantined
· shall be confined until the veterinarian permits the tag for a period of not less than ten (10) days.
again to be placed on the dog Or cat; or (c) Procedures for rabies investigations to conform to
(3) The animal is securely confined, state provisions. The procedures for the investigation of
(d) Display of Proof. It is unlawful for the owner of a animal bites inflicted by animals other than dogs and cats
dog or cat to refuse to show proof of current vaccination of shall be followed in accordance with the provisions set
such dog or cat by. the end of the next business day if such forth in the Florida Administrative Code, chapter 10D-3.
information is requested by the director of animal control = ! '(d) Location and conditions of examinarion~ The
or any animal control officer, location and conditions of examination or quarantine of
(c) Rabies information to go to county. Any person animals which have bitten or otherwise exposed a person
administering a rabies vaccination to a dog or cat within to rabies shall be established.by the county health officer
the county shall furnish the information contained therein (Florida Administrative Code, chapter 10D-3.}
to the division of animal control upon request. ' (e) Concealment, etc., prohibited. It shall be unlawful
(f) Compliance with State Administrative Code. ~ghen for. any person to hide, conceal or refuse to surrender any
animal for examination or quarantine upon lawful demand are exempted from provisions of this section.
to do so by the county health officer or by'the division of C. Any dog or cat over the age of six months adopted
animal control, from an nnimal shelter in the city shall be spayed or neutered
· (f) Duty of Person having knowledge of rabies exposure, before transfer to owner,
Any person having knowledge that a domestic animal has (Ord. 4577 S 2, 1993)
been bitten by or otherwise exposed to rabies by a wild
animal of a species commonly recognized to be a carrier of Richmond, Virginia
rabies such as, but not limited to, raccoon~, foxes, skunks,
bats and bobcats shall immediately report such bite or . Sec. 4-26. Spaying and neutering of animals prior
exposure to the county health officer or to the division of to adoption..
animal control for the investigation of such bite or expomre.
(Ord. No. 91-45, 12-5-91) ' All dogs and cats that come into the care of the City
:. Animal Shelter and subsequently become available for
Mandatory Spaying a,nd adoption shall be spayed or neutered prior to releasing
Neutering of Adopted Cats custody of s~h animals for adoption. However, such dogs
· · · · ~' and cats shall not be spayed or neutered until they obtain a
No animal shelter should ever place cats back into the sufficient'age ot size to undergo such sterilization procedure
community who haven't been spayed or neutered. Although and the City Animal Shelter has received payment of the
the vast majority of animal shelters reqni~ the sterilization adoption fee requited by section 4-27.
of all adopted animals as a matter of policy, an otdiuance (Ord. 99-394-372, S 1, 12-13-99)
mandating that policy will serve as an effective enforcement
mechanism. Spaying and Neutering
Mandator~ sterilization laws tTpically require adopters ofof Outdoor Cats
shelter animals to have the animals spayed or neutered within
30 days of adoption and adopters of animals yotmger than six Many communities have begun to look at wan to address the
mon~.s of ale to pay a deposit toward ~u~u'e Kerilization. problems caused by cats who spend most or all of their time
in recent' )'ears, thc growing number of veterinarians outdoors. To help stop these free-roaming cats from breeding
providing prepubcrtal spaying and neute~ng services (spaying indiscriminately, they have passed ordinances requiring that
and neutering dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age) all cat~ allowed to roam outside be spayed or neutered. Such
has made it possible for shelters to "pre-sterilize' all animals provisious do little to protect the cats in question but do
before sending them home with adopte~. In this way, shelters help lower the number of surplus cats within communities.
do not have to enforce the mandatory sterilization law becauseRegistration of cats should be a prerequisite of this kind of
all adopted pets have already been ~terilised. provision ;o that animals and their owners ma)' be identified
and the ordinance enforced.
· ' · ; SAMPLE OUTDOOR CAT SPAY/NEWTER.
Note: In addition to the sample ordinances listed here, ORDINANCES
The HSUS has a model bill, 'Mandatory Spaying and
Neutering of Dogs and Cats.' For a copT; contact The HSUS Rivet$1de, California
Government Affairs at 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC
20037; 202-452-1100; legidationOhsus.otg. 6.08.030 Control of uusPayed and unaltered cats.
Bellevue, Washington · It is unlawful for any person who owns, harbors or
· keeps any unspayed or unaltered cat four months of age
8.04.025 Mandatory spaying and neutering, or Older within the unincorporated area of Riverside
County to allow or permit such uuspayed or unaltered '
A. No person shall own or harbor ;my cat or dog over cat to be or remain outdoors in such unincorporated areas.
the age of six months that has not been spayed ot neutered (Ord. 630.7 $ 3, 1999)
unless the person holds an unaltered anl;nal license for the
animal pursuant to BCC 8.04.040.
B. Guide dog puppies in training and poiice service dogs
El.Dorado, Arkansas brought to the Animal Servicas Center by a person other
than the harborer or owner of flint animal shall be held for a
Ord. 6-31, Seoion I. Spay/Neuter. minimum of ninety-six (96) hours during which time period
the owner may present proof of ownership at the Center and
Owners of cats allowed outdoors must sterilize the cat(s) after paying all applicable f~s, that owner may reclaim thc
by the age of six {6} months.. ....... '.' ........ ' ":'.'. · dog/cat.'In the event that the'dog/cat is not claimed after
(Ord. 6-31, E! Dorado, Ark.} ninety-six {96) hours in the Centers that dog/cat shall
become the property of the City of North Richland Hills.
Petaluma, California 3.2.B Dogs and Cats with Identification: All dogs and
cats impounded by the Animal Services Division or brought
Sec. 9.08.120 Animals at Large to the Animal Services Center by a Person other than the
harborer or owner of that animal that are wearing traccablc
E No person owning or otherwise having a cat over six identification or where an owner is known shall be held in .
(6) months of age in his cares charge, control, custody, or the. Center for a minimum of seven {7} complete days from
possession shall cause, permit, or allow such cat to be in or, .~.; ..... the ~time the animal ent~s the facility, during which time the
upon any public street, road, alley, or other public or private Animal Services Division shah notify the owner, when known,
place other than the animal owner's property unless such cat is of the impoundment. Unless the owner has notified the animal
spayed or neutered. An animal control officer is empowered toServices Division in writing of his/her intentions to claim the
seize and impound every cat found in violation of t_his section dog/cat after that date, listing a date by which time that
and shall require owners of the cat to either spay or neuter the owner will reclaim the dog/cat and satisfy ail applicable
cat or to produce a certificate of sterilization signed and dated fees and this arrangement has been approved by the Animal
by a veterinarian which lists the veterinarian's name, clinic's Services Supervisor, the animal shall become the property
name, address, telephone, license number, pet name, age, of the City of North Richland Hills on the eighth (gth) day.
breed, and adequate description of the cat '; 3.2.C Animals Surrendered by Owner/Harborer: All
(Ord. 2045, Sec. 9.08.120, City of Petalurea' Calif., animals surrendered by the owner/harborer to the Animal
Municipal Code) ~ Services Division shall become the property of the City of
North Richland Hills immediately upon completion of the
ll landator¥ Minimum Shelter Owner/Harborer Surrender form.
Stra]~ Holdif~] Per[od {Ord.. 1848, Article 3, City of North Richland Hills,
Texas)
Minimum strey-animal holding periods are desiF, ned t°
allow the ownm of lost We to reclaim the lost C at C ontrol and ftestraint
pets from local sheltering facilities. The. holding period for
· Laws requiring that cats be Icept indoors or under supervision
stray cats should be consistent with that established for stray.
dogs, preferably five days, including a Saturday; this policywhen. outdoors are the most effa~ve way for communities to
should allow for euthanasia of suffering animals before gradually eliminate their cat-related problems and ensure that
completion of the holding period, cats receive the protection and care they deserve.
Some iurisdictious mandate longer holding periods {for "Control" and "restraint" are defined in various ways,
example, nine days} for impounded animals wearing some but basically, when a cat is ¢ontro//~d {or safely confined),
form of identification. This gives cats with strong evidence that cat's behavior is restricted either by the supervision of
of ownership extra time to be reclaimed, the owner or the fact that the cat is within a house; when
· st cat is rertraMed, that cat's behavior is restricted by the
SAIVIPLE ~ SI41g,TER STRAY .HOLDING use ora leash and bamess or similar device..
= ' The HSUs recommends that cats be under the direct
PERIOD OI~DXNANCE supervision and control of their caregivers. The orgnnization
North Richland Hills, Texas does not recommend that cats (or dogs) be tied when
tm. supervised, since a tied animal cannot escape attack
Section 3.2 Disposition of Impounded Animals: from other animals or humans and because tying an
animal outside makes that animal much more vulnerable
3.2.A Dogs and Cats with No Identification: All dogs to being stolen.
and cats impounded by thc Animal Services Division or Cat restraint and control can be a controversial issue.
Many people argue that it isn't "natural'~ to keep a cat Muscle Shoals, Alabama
indoors or otherwise safely confined. Unfortunately, this
belief is self*perpetuatiug, especially if a pet caregiver Sec. 14-8. Dugs and cats; restraint.
makes no effort to provide the cat with a stimulating
indoor environment. (a) Dogs. All dogs shall be kept under restraint or
~{~hile most cats enjoy being outside where they can prevented from being at large.
hunt prey and explore their surroundings, it's a myth that (b) Cats. It shall be unlawful for the owner or any person
going outside is a prerequisite for feline happiness. Playing having custody or control of any cat within the corporate
with an indoor cat easily satisfies the animal's stalking instinct limits or the police jurisdiction of the city to allow said cat
and keeps the cat stimulated and healthy through exercise, to run at large if said cat habitually causes destruction or
In fact, the indoor cat who get lots of attention and playtime damage to the property of another or creates a nuisance.
is generally happier than the indoor-outdOOr cat who is Provided, however, that no prosecution shall be commenced
largely ignored by his or her human companions, and no arrest, made pursuant to this section except upon
Cat owners can easily create feline-~endly homes that affidavit made by the aggrieved party before a judge or
meet all of their cats' needs. Many innovative and fun toys magistrate of the municipal cOurt and a warrant issued
'can help make the indoor life a great and safe adventure, by said judge or magistrate.
Finally, cats don't have to be deprived of the great (Ord. No..1154-95, art, Is S 7, 5-1-95; Ord. No. 1169-96,
outdoors'to stay safe. Can can be trained to accept a art. I, $ 7s. 7~1-96)
harness and a leash, and cat fences and enclosures can
allow them to experience all the pleasures of the great Aurora, Colorado
outdoors without all of the risks.
Sec.. 14-101. Running at large.
SA vU, Co 'ao - ANt) ResTaA
ORDINANCES (a) Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any
cat to fail to keep the cat from running at large within thc city.
Overland Park, Kansas (1) For the purposes of this chapter, a cat not
physically restrained ?ben off.the premises of the
6.08.020 Dog and cat Control. owner or CUstodian shall 'be deemed running at large.
(2) For purposes of this chapte~ the term "premise..s of
B. Cat Control.' All cats must be under the control of the owner or custodian" shall be defined as the residence
their owner, keeper or harborer at all times. :For the purpose of the owner or custodians including the attached property
of this section, a cat shall be considered not under control surrounding the residence that is. leased or owned by the
and in violation of this section in the fo]lowing situations: owner or custodians but not including any common ar~.-a,
1. If a neighbor complains orally or in writing to park or recreational property jointly owned or leased by
the owner, keeper or harborer of a cats that the cat the members of a homeowners' or tenants' association.,
is entering upon the neighbor's property, then the (3) No cat shall be deemed to. be running ariarge
cat's presence on'the neighbor's property at any time . when the animal is upon the premises of the owner.
subsequent to the neighbor's complaint shall'constitute (4) Any cat enclosed within the automobile or other
a violation of this section; vehicle of its owner or custodian shall.be deemed to bt:
2. If a cat causes injury to persons or animals; upon the.owner's or custodian's premises.
3. If a cat causes damage to property off its (b) Penalty. Any person found guilty of violating this
owner's, keeper's or harborer's property to include, section shahs upon the first convictions be subject'to the
but not limited to, breaking,, bruising, tearing up, payment of a fine of not less than $15.00, upon the conviction
digging up, crushing or injuring any lawn, gardens of a second offense occurring within a one-year period shall
flower bcd, plant~ shrub or tree in ~tny manner or be fined.a sum not less than $25.00s and upon .the third
defecating or urinating upon any private property, subsequent offenses committed within a one-year period
(Ord. DAC-1679 ~ 9, 91; DAC-13~J5 ~ $, 86; DAC-131! shall be fined an amount not less than $75.00 nor more than
~ 4, 85; DAC-1091 ~ 2, 80; DAC-697) $1,000.00. In addition to the fines stated in this subsectiort,
a person convicted under this sections may be subject to not
more than one year in jail. None of the fines shall be
suspended by the municipal court. Nothing in this subsection
-IO-
shall be construed ss preventing the Inimal c~e officer from and other hnciers as well os cat, owners who can
instituting a proceedin~ in the municipal court for violationresponsibly care for more cats; some jurisdiaions
of chis section where there has been no impoundment, . allow these individuals to purchse "hobby permits"
· (Code 1979, $ 7-.3.0; Ord, No. 97-$1, $. 8, 1.0~13'-97).:.~ . ....-(for. a nominal .fee) and require ~umual'premise
inspections ~o ensure proper staodards of care
Ffestrictions on the Number ' · A cat registration requirement that clearly defines
of Cats Per Household what consti u "ownership" of cars; bles
(Cat Limitation) local officials, for example, to determine when a
· frequent feeder of ~d c~ts can be considered an
in an effort to solve ceruin problems .sociat~! with "owner" under thc ordinance
individuals attempting to care for too msny cats, SOme
communities have passed ordinances limiting the number SAMIq'E CAT LIMITATION ORDINANCE
of cats allowed per household.
These so-called.acat limitation lhWS,' which 'are most .... '""'"~;~Urora~ Colorado·
common in urban and suburban areas, have several benefits.
The most significant is that they enable governments to more Sec. 14-102. Excessive number prohibited.
easily resolve animal hoarder .cases. Animal hoarden are
individuals who accumulate so n~my animals (in the dozens '(a) It shall be unlawful to own, keep or harbor more than
or even hundreds) that they are unable to provide even five cats that are four months of age or older on any premises.
minimal standards of nutrition, sanitation, and veterinary Only one litter of offspring may be kept on the premises until
care. Many hoarders accumulate cats, and the~e iodividnals the age of four months. Exceptions are as follows:
frequently·do not recognize the suffering they cause the (1) Licemed kennels, pet shops, city shelters and
animals. Under a cat limitation ordinance, officials are individuals in pnssenion of a valid fancier~ permit
able to immediately remove suffering cats without having with the.conditions established by the city council for
to first prove animal cruelty, the permit. In no event shall the permit authorize the
In addition to hoarder control, cat limitation laws alsopossession of more than ten cats.
give animal care and control officials an additional tool to (2) Individuals exceeding the allowable number of
resolve certain nuisance complaints. The most common .cats.at the time of the enactment of the ordinance from
scenario involVes a well-meaning individual Who feeds, large .. which t_.h_is section derives may be permitted excess
numbers of stray and/or feral cats but fails to get the animals allowable number of cats if the specific existing cats
sterilized. A well-crafted limitation ordinance helps empower were licensed by the animal care division.at the time
officials to.resolve.complaints by neighbore..and,lmsiness,~ " this section became eff.~ve un.February 18, 1994.
owners; in fact, a cat limitation ordinance works best when {b} It shall be affirmative defense to excessive number
implemented in conjunction with pro,rams that create of cats prohibited if the owner is =engaged in a bona fide
incentives for feral cat caretakers to more actively manage effort to rescue cats and possesses an animal rescue permit.
the cats they feed. The owner must.make application, for thc permit to the
Cat limitation laws cnn be controversial. Those able animal care division within 14 days of .taking custody of
to responsibly care for a large number of cats may feel that the additional cats. The permit shall give the owner three
an arbitrary limit penalizes them for no reason. As a result~'months to dispose of the cats or otherwise return to the
these cat owners may be driven aunderground" and avoid limit of pesmitted cats. A maximum, of two rescue permits
registering their cats, and some may actively oppose Other cat shall be issued to a household at any one time.
care and control legislation. For these reasons it is essential (Code 1979, $ 7-31; Ord. No. 97-$1, $ 9, 10-13-97;
that a cat limit include provisions that allow responsible cat Ord. No. 2002-02, ~ 1, 2-25-2002}
caregivers to care for additional cats provided certain criteria
are met. Petal Cat care .M/Car
To be both effective and politically feasible, a proposed~ef~istratiorJ PFoS~J"~ms
cat limitation ordinance should include: '
RecogniZing the Challenges .~ssociated with feral cats, some
m~ A clause that "grandfathers" in those cat owners who communities have passed cat registration ordinances that
have more than the maximum number of cats allowed incl#d.c.r~lstration of feral cat colonies or caretakers. These
~ A mechanism that' allows certain cat owners to keep ordinances and the programs created in support of them are
more cats than the limit-for example, cat breeders
designed to manage and ultimately eliminate feral cat colonies, animals can be transported quickly
The laws often piggyback'on the efforts of volunteer feral catm Carefully evaluate captured cats to determine whether
feeders. When crafted properly, they provide incentives to hcip they are appropriate candidates for readmission into thc
those Who regularly 'feed feral cats and ensure that colonies colony; socialized cats should be removed from the colony
are managed effectively and in a way that ensures harmony and, if possible, placed for adoption
between feral cat caretakers, property owners, and animal · Test trapped cats for fatal infectious diseases such as felirte
care and control officials, leukemia {FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV}.;
In recent years, traditional trap, sterilize, and release remove from the colony any cats wh° test positive for
programs have been supplanted by more responsibly managed FeLV, FIV, or any other chronic or debilitating disease
pr°gramsthat trap~ test~ vaccinate, alter, release,.and monitor o Prior to rdease, vaccinate cats agaimt rabies and other
{TTVARM) free-roaming cats. The goal of any TIN/ARM common diseases or viruses for which vaccinations are
program should be to stabilize and eventually eliminate the available
colony through attrition. · Sterilize cats prior to release
An effective program that seeks to adtdress the issue of · Permanendy identify animals prior to release using a
feral cats should: microchip and/or a visible means of identification such
as. ear tipping (also called ear notching) or tattooing; to
· Make sure that feral cat colony maintenance programs help identify from a distance which feral cats have been
are consistent with cat-related laws such as mandatory sterilized, some communities notch the left ears of male
shelter holding periods for stray animals and ordinances fetal cats who have been.sterilized and the right ears of
· prohibiting cats from roaming at'large " " female feral cats`· ' ~
· Register caretakers who are willing to devote the time · Immediately trap any new cats who enter a colony and
and resources necessary to fulfill program goals; in assess them for placement or release
cooperation with caretakers, develop uniform guidelines
covering colony care and maintenance, spaying and SAMlrt.E FERAL CAT REGISTRATION ORDINANCE
neutering, health monitoring, census taking, and
related topics CaPe May, New Jersey
e Assess each area to determine whether a colony can
be safely maintained; for example, colonies should not Chapter $ {Animal Control}, Section 11: Feeding of
be maintained near roads with heavy traffic or 'in areas Wild Cats
with extreme weather conditions and insufficient shelter.
· Assess' the impact of feral cats on local wildlife populations $-11.1 Definition.
before deciding whether' to return the animals to an area;
cat colonies should never be maintained 'on 'lands managed Feral cat Shall mean any homeless, stray, wild or
for the benefit of wildlife (such as wildlife sanctuaries} untamed cat.
~ Secure thc permalon of landowners and residents to (Ord. No. 1046-95 S 6-20.1)
maintain feral cat populations on their properties =
· Assess the carrying capacity of each ttrea to determine 5-11.2 Unlawful Care
how many· cats can be released; carrying capacity should
be based on the number of colony members, the number It is unlawful for any person to intentionally provide
of caretakers, the size and nature of the area, and the food~-water, or other forms of sustenance to a feral cat or feral
available resources cat colony unless the person has furnished a signed statement
e Before trapping, place trapping-notit~tcation signs in the
to the Animal Control Officer agreeing to comply with the
area and distribute informational leafiers to residents following conditions:
to give owners of outdoor cats a. reasonable amount a. Annual registration with the Animal Control Officer
of time to safely confine .their cats; signs and leaflets
us caring for feral cats;
should also educate readers about abandonment laws b. Assure responsibility and arrangements for feeding
and any restrictiohs on feeding unowned cats the cat or cat colony..regularly throughout the 'year, includinl~
~ Schedule several days for live-trapping and follow weekends, holidays and vacations of the person registered;
humane trapping guidelines; ensure that traps are c. Regular and frequent trapping of cats over the age of
checked frequently {ideally every two to three hours, eight (8} weeks to. have them spayed or neutered;
at a minimum every eight hours) so that captured d. Arrange to have all trapped cats tested for feline
leukemia and to have those who test positive humenel), rbey will be en~urced. In addition, once several local
cudunized or iso¼ted indoo~. . :.i: ..~. · ~...~.... jutsdicu'ous., hive passed ordinances covering, d~e same
e. ldenti~y ell trapped cea by tPping their ~n; and issue, a similar stere law will be more politically ~easible.
f. Arrange to have all ~rapped can vaccinated for rabies Finally, because it is easier to work for change in )'our
in addkion to any other vaccilution or immunintion own geo~'aphic re#on and wish people you know, you
requirement imposed by the State. mi~t went to make your first a~mpt at the city or
(Ord. No. 1046-95 5 6-20.2) county le~el.
Enforcement. Documenting the Problems
~ ABA/TY TO E~OI~C~ A LAW i. ~ti~i wl.~ it docum~t d. cet-rd~d is""u"and i=obl=ms i. )'our
comes to legislation rcprdlng ceu. In meny communities, community. Here ar~ suggested steps:
animal care and control programs have been Seared coward
dogs, not eau. But as the nUmber of cam wi~h!e communities 1. Compile ~bese statistics for )'our community shelter:
climbs, these agencies must respond co the problems dmt
result. As municipalities consider lesis¼~ion co address these · How many ceu enter local sbel~r(s) each year?
problems, they must also consider wht will be required co · How many of rhuse can are Bay (cam who, k is
reasonable to assume, may have owners but who
enforce such legislation. This should include the following: have..either become lost or been mrncd loose or
e An edeqnate Staff that is rainedco bridle cam abendoned) and how nun)' have been surrendered~
o Equipment ~or hummiel), holding end handling. ~ · How ninny su~y ceca en~efing:~e shelter(s) are
cats, both in r~ field and in cbe shelter rechimed by their owners~
o Facilities and equipment (including c~Sea, lundling' · How nuny ceu ere adopted?
equipment, food, suppli~ and basic medical provisions) · How nuny cats are eudunized~
suited to holding and providing necessary care for ceu
This information can anpport your case ~or the. neceSSity
o A sufficient level of allocated ~3mds co suppor~ o~ le~islatien. As an example, with ~ew exceptions, the
enfurcement efforu pereentasc o~ stray eau returned t0 their owners is abysmally
The vast majority of cities end countiee dut have Iow, while for clop it cea be quite high, Sutistics from your
paSSed prngrmive catlesishton use a comphint-haSed· ~.o~ ~.~t~(s) m), show, for ex~mple,.d~t.ceu mike up a-
enforcement symnn. This enables eninul care end control relativel), hi~ percentags (o~n above $0 percent)o~ the
agencies to respond to complaints with the force of law animals entering the facilities and that the percentage has
behind them, while recognizing that available resources- been increasing steadily in recent yea~s. The data may also
and public sentiment-usually do not support more show a wide disparity between the reclaim rate for dogs .and
aggressive enforcement o~ cat-related laws. A law that for cats. If this is the case, one eXPlanation is that few
requiring control and restraint of cats, for example, cats wear any form o~ identification. A law requiring that
easily allows animal control personnel co respond to cats be registered and Wear registration tags can increase
complaints about nuisance cats. the nUmber of lost cats Who are returned to. their owners.
Getting
care and control agencies receive regarding cats; these will
Enacted: AdviCe'fOr include, bot not be limited co, general nuisunc¢ cells and
~pom o~ au~cha on wildlY, de~zuction off prope~7, and
AdvOcates , tio" i,ws w,l it'
po~ible co hold cat ownm accountable for problems
AT ~rlAT'LEVEL o~ $overnment'should you pursue caused by ~heir cats. (This information may not be easily
yoar legislation? Should you go to the city council, county obtained.)
government, Or state leaislantt'e~ While a state law helps the .
most animals, working for enactment of a local o,rd~..nancy, 3, Document all cases of neglect, cruelty, and injuries
makes the most serise'if'you ~,~ primarily concei~ned aboUt {including, if poSSible, incidents involving cats being injured
a local problem. First, local animal care and control laws or killed by cars}. Do not limit your investigation to police
are generally easier co get funded-and that is also where records or the courts; look also to the records of animal care
and control personnel. Besides .the obvious tragedy for enthusiastic supporter of. your idea, you'll have made
the animal, there are public safety concerns regarding few gains for cats.
cats injured or killed by motor vehicles. · Be inclusive. Before you begin to work on an ordinance,
discuss your effort with others who will be most involvec[.
4. Document public health problems that relate to cats. FOr example, if you want to do something about feral
Include diseases that are spread from cat to cat as well as cats,' invite established feral cat caretakers to the table.
those spread between cats and other animals. In the United Understand that your full agenda might not be reachable.,
States, there are more incidences of rabies in cats than in but that successful public policy usually involves a series
dogs. The number of reported cases of ca~s biting humans of compromises and incremental steps.
is steadily increasing. Cats who are allowed to roam freely · .Nentral/ze potential oPPosition. If the bill would have
are more likely to come in contact with rabid wildlife and . a negative impact on a specific group, or even if a group
contribute to the spread of this disease, IVlakins rabies indicates that the bill might have a negative impact on
vaccination a prerequisite for registration will help halt it, try-to work with the group early in the process. The
this spread, more opposition you can negate, the better the chances.
The information you have gathered will he useful and for your hill.
necessary as you explain why an .ordinance regarding cats · Involve veterinarians. Whenever a hill affects animals,
is important in your area. Your efforts to .educate. people legislators will defer to a veterinarian. For a municipal
about the need for such legislation, can re=aka a critical' ordinance, enlist the support of local veterinarians.
difference in whether the ordinance pass.., es, ".Those WhO · Get help in drafting your ordinance. Although it
resist cat registration may dO so out of'b~lief .t!u.'t .manda.. t°ry · 'shOuld be clear to you what your objectives are
registration is another way for government to interfere in the and what kind of structure your program' should
lives {and delve into the pockets} of citizens. They do not see' have, the actual language of the ordinance should be
that what registration laws do is prOVide cats with the same drafted by professionals. You may be able to enlist
consideration and protection currently received by dogs in the expertise of a local humane society board member
the majority of communities' l~hndatory registration Will who is a lawyer or has an association with a law firm
or the counsel who works for the city or county council.
hold cat, owners accountable for their.pets' actions just as
dog owners are responsible for their doge~ actions. You can also ask for pro bono help from a local law firr, a.
· Define your terms. A good ordinance includes definitions
L~gJslatJve Tips of team that might not be clea~ For example, the term
"'animal' has many different meanings depending upon
Once you have documented the issues and problems, follow how an ordinance defines it. What exactly is meant by
these tips to improve your odds of succes;s: "animal shelter'--all public and private facilities? What
o Know the process. Learn how the leE~lative process is 'proper restraint"?
works in your jurisdiction and how an ordinance gets · .Draft your ordinance with costs in mind. Try to create
passed into law. Working toward pas~sage of a city or a program that generates sufficient funding to cover its
county ordinance will be different ~rom working toward expenses. It is best if only cat owners are forced to pay;
funding generated this way is referred to as a "user's fee."
passage of a state statute. (Note: This publication refers Programs that cost the municipality moneY to implement
to local iegishtort ns "council members," but in your'.
jurisdiction they may be referred to Ets selectmen, but that aren't funded by new revenue streams often go
unimplemented.
aldermen, or some other name.} · Consider exceptions to the ordinance's coverage. Shoulr~.
o Work with your local a~__mal care and control agency.
It's vital to work in parmership with your local animal you exempt certain cats from your proposed legislationi'
control department or nonprofit hun~ane organization For instance, an ordinance requiring the sterilization of
(if the latter has a contract to provide animal control cats could exempt those cats who, in the opinion of a
and/or sheltering services in your community}. That veterinarian, should not have the surgery for health
· agency will be responsible for implementing and enforcing reasons (provided thOse cats are kept exclusively indoors).
the ordinance pro.visions, and in m.m~y communities may Similarly, a law requiring mandatory registration could
wield considerable influence with local council members, include sPecial provisions for feral cat caretakers who
register with the city or county..
Remember that enforcement is a. key part of the success
of most laws, and that if the enforcing agency isn't an
o Find a $ood SPOnsor for your ordinance, Approach o. If hcarinp are held, carefully choose who will testify for
legislators who have sponsored animal protection laws your ordinance. It should be someone who is comfortable
in thc past. If the bill must be heard (considered or with public speakers and who can deftly handle any
examined) by a committee, t~ to get someone on that questions that come up. (It may be possible to give
committee to sponsor your bill. testimony with someone at your side who can provide
o Develop healthy relationships. As you lobby for your bill, facts,) Anyone who has a relevant human interest story
be sure to develop good relationships with key legislators to tell is good, but testimony should be kept short. It
and lcgislative staff, including the ordinance sponsor'sshould be given from notes and make no more than
staff. The,/have great influence over what..happens,. .,....f0. ~ or five dear points. Try to pack the room with
and they Can prOvide you with important information your supporters; they can wur badges or carry signs
and insight, of support. Avoid emotional appeals.
o Don't overwhelm your council mcmben with material. · Be polite. This is especially important when lobbying
But do provide whatever information, they need..As the council members to support your ordinance. £ven if
ordinance goes through the process, you will probably they won't support You on this ordinance, they amy
be called upon to provide additional information, lobbywork with you in the future on another issue.
ceruin members of the council,, alert.your supporten, · Be honest. If you don,t know the answer to a question
and talk with the press. Don't expect the ordinance to that a legislator or staff member asks, just sa)' so. Tell
move on its own. . '. the petS0, n 'that you will get back to him or her with the
· Know when to compromise. Rarely does an ordinance. COrrect' information, 'and then foll°w Up.
become law without being emended. Sometimes you can · Always identify yourself to city. or county cOuncil
include provisions knowing that they will be compromised members. Make it clear what issue .you are discussing
away at a later date. Don't be surprised.if you can't get all and whether you m'e rePreSenting yoUrSelf or a group.
the provisions you want, but be prepared to make hard · Tell legislators why their districts need this ordinance.
choices. In general, if the amended .ordinance will still help · Consider a 'sunset' provision. If you don't think your
animals without lessening protections they already have, ordinance will pass, a strategy to make it more acceptable
then it is better to pass a lesser ordinance than nothing, is to add a provision tha~t would limit the ordinance's
You can try again later to increase protection. · effect to a two-, three-, or fiVe'year period. At that time,
o Know who the opposition is. Don't let your'council - ' if the program implemented has not been successful,
members be surprised to find out that a major constituent it would he eliminated. If it has been succenful, the
group strenuously opposes the bill. If you inform them city or county council may renuthorize it.
about the opposition's objections early on and explain
why they are misguided, you will be more successful. For a good primer on the legishtive'process (with
· Form a cOalition of backers for ),our bill. In addition an emphasis on the federal level'), order Worker for
to the humane community.and veterinarians, seek An~b: A Handbook for £obby~s, available from
cndorserneot from groups with an interest in cat welfare, The'HSUS. See pages 16-17 for ordering information,
cat breeders, birders and other wildlife advocates, law For additional a~istance with your Iegishtive initiatives,
enforcement officigs, chambers of-commerce,.civic ;,.~. con~...Th..e HSUS Government Affairs at 2100 L Street,
associations, government workers, key members in the NW, Washi on, DC 20037; 202-4 2-1100;
community, public health officials, and student groups, legislationOhsus.org.
Think of anyone who will be better off if your ordinance
passes for reasons such as safety, taxpayer savings, and
fewer neighborhood problems.
~o Work the media. Contact the local newspapers and
other members of the media early in the process to
explain your issue and why your proposed ordinance
is.important. Don't. assume that they.will Set-good,'
fair information if you don't supply it to them. And Generous ~upporr for the 5ale Cats" cdrffpaii, a u,d~ provided
remember that letters to the editor are an effective by The Kenneth A. Scott Charitabb Trust, a KeyBank Trust,
tool for getting information to your corflm~ty, and the Franc~ V. R. Seebf Charirdbl~ 7~ust.
Order Form '.
rrm~(s) cO,~E QUA~FFY co~
~1~1 [hs~n~ ~s
wor~ ~ ~1~"
A H~k ~r ~~ ~0!0 ,,, ,
,~ ~ ~J ~0'
A ~ ~ Is m Hap~ ~t P~76
~ ~ Print P~ P~140
Sales Tax* (if applicable)
Shipping/Handling $3.00
TOTAL ,
p^~rr Mrmom
0 Check or Money Order (payable to 2'be HSU$)
CI Credit Card (check one)
0 Visa . ' ~ Mas~'Card Cl ]Discover
Account # "
F.~. dete
Signature
Name
Street address
City State Zip
Daytime telephone'
~ F, esldenu of ~ese sm~s should add aiqdicabl~ sa~ ~a~
Material will be sent to the address above. Please provide a street address
as shipment cannot be sent to EO. boxes; Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
All orders must be prepaid.
Enclose payment with this order fbrm and mail to:
Safe Cats Campaign
The Humane Society of ~e United Stares
2100 L Street, N~
Washington, DC 20037
Some of the'm, aterial in.
this booklet is.ldra~vn from
Free-Roaming Cats. For
the complete statement, visit
um~.l~sus.org/sa(ecatsta~ment
or request a copy from:
The MSUS
2100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
202:452-1100
'oxoplasmosis fact sheet Paso 2 of 3
A growing fotuo ~n become info.ed with the toxopl~i~ I~r~lto. Thll ~n h.ppen if the
mother il infoctod wah ~ ~pl .rindS. while prqnent or bofom ohm become, prqnenL
IMeutkm in the unido anim elny in pmgnenGy ran re~utt in mllcarring., poor growth, e.,rly
delivmy or ~tillbidh. If · Ghild Ii born wilh toxopllmlmlll he/ih· Gin eqwlenm eye
probleml, hydroaeph·lul MITE' on Ih· brlin), ~envulllon$ or mlnlll dllMlilitlel.
Treutment of in ~ prqnent wommn rely prevent or I#len the dine in her unborn
(:hiM. Tmutment of,in Infeded Iofent Mil ,11o lemon the ~evedty of the dlieise Il the child
growl.
Prevention
· Order or eouk your m"t we# done. :~
· Do nut e~t mw or undefcouked me~
· · Wllh your hmxll, utormlll, and aut~ing Ixmrdl ~ Imndling rmv mout to preVent
contlmJnution of other food8.
· Do not drink unpmitlurlzid milk from ·ny enlmlL
· Be (ireful not to bmMhe in dult when deening the clt litter box. '
· till· the II~r box ~ ou th.t tho Imw~ ~ not W · ~henm to become
Info·lima.
· .A..vokl delning oM IIttor bom if you mm pmgnent or t~ylng to becmrm pregnont.
· vve~r gl~ when ~leenlng the ·ut ~ box; then imsh your ho·ds.
· PI.m · 8enure M on your #ndbou to prevent c~t. from u.ing It ou · Ilttor box.
· We.r gloves when prdenlno, then ~ your hinds.
CltB mhd you
JuM like other flmlly membem, your pet iii Mn pill diem on to you.. Mout c4d~ which Ire
.?___o?_ r, m.e ~ tlwmelv~ my mm·In IofK~ul ~ well over · ye·r.
mxopm.mom ao not origin.to from .enmc~ wah rats, but tamer from
eon~umpUon of r~f m~t
¢i whl~ hove bE~n ml~l Indoom, bM nm~r ~ugN ·nd ~ton mira or bi~, end wino
hmo nmmr been ~E~I r~w m~ ~m not IIMly to I~ in~cWd. A ~my or ur~lmililr elt.d~leh
ll~E~m H~ Ibouk~ not be Mndl~l but ~hou~l I~ mport~l to your Io~11 An·mil ¢on~l
Ogicmr.
Hem om ~ Up~ to
· w~h your Mnd~ ·~r I~Uing, lobbing or truing
· e~n out tt~
· do not ~omlx~t the e~ litter, or di~po# of tt~ ~ near your go~len:
· m · vetodMMn it
I~ ~ere · treetment f~r toxopIl~moMl?
mediGIUon
il
.,,, ,.,.,,,.?,..,m~m.. m.=__me mmmon oGoum in ImmOn~ with we~k Immune iv·reno or
mmmg am (e.g. AID~ or eon·er). -
Jpdated: Mondey, October 27, 2003 ut 02:3~ AM
~11 information is general in n~ure and b not intended to be u#d Is · oub. Ututo for lpprol)flMe profesllonH ·dvim. For more information pleise call 206-296-
4600 (voice) or 208-298-4831 (TrY Rel.¥ .ervkm). M·illflg .ddriss: ATrN: Commuflic~tlons Te~m, Publl~ HeHth - SeBttle & Kin0 County, 999 3rd Ave., Suite
f200, ··aWe, WA 98104
glD. g.G.qun~ I ~ I New. I Service~ I Comment. I Search
P~//www.me1~'okc.gov/heal~Jprevcont/toxoplas.h~m 7/11/2006
' )xo..plas;nosis fact si:met Pnge 1 of 3
.~_ Public Health WebpIge ~ Home ~ C~mtmuniMbll dililum hiahi · T~lOldllmOlM -
.~_ Clink: & Oflige L. ocatk~n~ Comm"nMable Ol~ea.~ and Epldemiology " i other insects
For Care Providem Toxopllinloell fiGt .heet !
For Edu~om s lllllmt mm I~m _Mq..eMro?
.~_ Health Edu~t°m Toolbox · ~ML~~. ,: Lem~ whmt King Courtly
. NI~ Vlnm from
Jol:m
&
Intemehipl
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~ Employee DimGtmy i nM a hOll~ hlZlrd Or ·
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Contl,;t Uu T(..~MMm~l Il · ~ml~n dllMie/ound In Idldl Ind mlmmlll ~ Nolth Arned;I. .'. InM(~nl.
The Illfedkm II ~lu#d by I pMIMle mlffldt~mjtMIml g~ndl and IfM(~l 10 t~ 20 eut of
Public Hearth Mry 100 ImM) In Nodh Wrk:a by Ihs time Umy are ~u~. !
Seattle & KJnO County ! iyzr~l~l.J~
999 3rd Ave, 8ts. 1200 ; The pmllli~ thlt
· , Swimmer' It~h Il
semtm. WA ~a~04 wtm.re th..¥m~.? i d.~mmm mm ism, via
Phone: 206-296-4600 ! gONe ..d
TTY: 206-296.4931 · Fever ! (In~ingl. Alter
Click here to emall u~
· Inmomoemmmtlu~ennmlmomumemnla~umyblunudvlalonorlo#ofvlmio. {
· Idoet peoplm M~o mm Inlmatmd do not mhow mn,/mignm ofllto dimommo.
Sutmcdbeto From re=mail · Purmoaowltommpmgnmnlm'mm~mmuppm#mdimmunomymtmmdueto
Alertml NDS, = ~' bll.wbg qm tmtipmtl mm at Nghe~ rimk for ~
Giick here to I~im mom How i~ It
tim = ~m bl, lm' malaml ~dm, I m m~ mmmt m. ddalm lira mlik ,f mmmllm mnlmM
thlt II IMimIML M w m Nmid Ihe itmMi In their femm. Thembm hmanl Mn Illo
W d lib ~mllMIImoMI Ihln dml~ I ~lt lilMr box or woddno bi iff ami
· , e.ung,mw or undenmm~ mm; ·
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· woddng in ga~dmm Or playing In ~endlmma tlmt mntaln ~at fec~.
PNgn.noy .nd tmmpMmoeb
tp:./~www, m~ko.gov~~v~:top~.h~ .. 7/1'1/2006
· .Be THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN FRIDAY' AUGUST 11, 20'06.
Letters
Solutions offered for cat woes....
ups and c~re for them. non-cat owners and our local governm'ent
Why do people feel it's OK to let cats will eventually do something to help allevi:.:
This letter is in reHards to Michael Poly- roam free? If they need outside time, put ate the problem. Rights should be given to.
niak's cat problem. How much city time them on a leash and take them out, just the both sides of this issue, not just to those'
and expense are the taxpayers willing 'to same as we do for our dogs. who place the rights of cats over humans. '
put into this ordinance? I have a neighbor who does this with his For years, my husband and I have putuQ~
Since it's best to be smarter than the cat,. cat so she can get fresh air, and it works with the stench of cat leavings (they segm,'
here are some suggestions: get a dog; set great for both of them. to prefer a place close to my front door) a!]~
live traps; bring the animal to the SPCA; if MICHAL YNIGUEz cat fur on my patio furniture. We are sick ~
you see them, turn the hose on them-- they Bakersfield' it! We're willing to do. whatever is nece~f~
learn to stay away; put litter boxes on your sary to find something to stop it, within rea-~
sonable bounds.
property and ask the cat lovers to ~lean . trapping
them and provide the litter; learn 'to love For the sake of peace and fairness and
' the ki~es. ' ' ' ' ' and clean up after them yourself.. It's n0~'
JUNE BLAIR · This letter is for 'those who are having you love your cats, please keep them inside.,.
Bakersfield problems with their neighborhood cats. right to force others to do iL Strays need .~
. · :. · Red pepper, mothballs and ammonia be picked for adoption or something, ~n.o1~
Humane won't repel cats for Ion,. It is not really left to roam around leavin~ their fllth'on tli~.;
· ' 'your responsibility to create an Odor fence property of others, i~:'
to keep the kitties from trespassing in your MYRTIE McPI-iEkN
Yes, roaming cats are problematic, yard. .: Bakersfield;
Despite countless programs available 'to Since cats are 'COnsidered by the law to'_r ULC L C~l.L~nl'~'~"'C~'"'~'~'"' "
financially assist pet .owners with .the costbe wild animals, it is perfectly.legal to trap
of alterinl~, many owners are irresponsi- them. Once they are in the trap, you take
hie.", them safely and gently to the pound or I am weighing in On the side of ~
Abandoned cats/kittens are left in every SPCA facility and turn them over to the Polyniak, and I'm not "an angry person'.'~in-,~
park, vacant lot and apartment complex! authorities there, a "bad neighbor." (I am a cat lover, but.~;.'_
Two products actually are humane and After your neighbors have to bail two dogs aren't.) '"
do work: Shake Away. and the Havahart "Flufff' out of kitty jail a few times, they My masons for wanting cat laws are
Spray Away hose attachment, will become more proactive in ensuring ferent but equally as disturbing to me. ~~.'*;
As usual, it is the abandoned animal who that he stays in his yard and your problem Several months ago; I had the very
pays the price: How wonderful that neigh- is on its way to being solved, tunate experience of witnessing a cat
bors are compasSionale enough tO feed and -. The idea of adopting a local cat ordi- mY street that had either been hit by a ve//i~:
alter these homeless cats. In the meantime,nance is fine, but how would it be enforced? cie or was poisoned. It was something I will;
a Bakersfield 'man who was featured in a Who would do the patrolling, catching, etc? never forget. Within the last couple, o~
recent Californian story 'could direct, hisSince a local man who has proposed such weeks, I saw a kitty on the median at rhsh:.
energy into a five-minute scooPin~ activity; an ordinance is already branded as a "bad hour on White Lane. ·
this discourages other cats from using the · man"' by the cat lovers, why nOt give my When I stopped to try to grab it, it ran'
, method a try? into my wheel-welL As traffic was backingS.
same area. BARBARA HAYS .The Intemet has plans fOr traps that can up, a kind woman behind me got out of her.
President, The Cat People be built very inexpensively. They are very vehicle to help me rescue the kitty. It
· Bakersfield effective; Trust me, it works! tually disappeared either into traffic'/rill
ALAN NEUMANN under someone's car and likely met.
Putcatsonleash' ~k,,,,~d same fate as the cat menfioned earlie,.i have also had my fill of seeing C~tl~;
splattered aH over the roads and it
I have to agree with the genfleman who isWe have rights, toob~ll~tti~mot~,ndmor~fr~q,ent.
~lOng th, ¢i~ to in~titut~ ¢~t ordin~m¢~. I, I ~y l~w~ ~hould I~ p~d
too, h~v~ troubl~ with ~t~ ~r~yinll into th~ After m~ding th~ m'tid~ ~b°ut ~ loe~ that c~t~ ~hould h~w to ~ith~r ~.ay indoom~
¥~d and mmingtroubl., mn who 1~ h~vin~ ~ problem with cat~ in outdoor~in~l~nore.~,'oron~l~h.
I h~v~ two ~nmll doll~ who h~w b~n hi~ ¥~rd ~nd ~om~ woman's' ridiculou~ - Fmnil¥ m~mb~m of min~ who h~w
.¢r~tch~d ~md hurt by ¢~ta ¢omin~ into m~por~, "It'~ not th~ ¢~t~' f~ult they w~m h~w ~ lm'~ w~m ~n¢lo~um ~ttach~d
their y~d, not to m~ntion th~ m~.~ th~ born" ~nd th~n ~ying h~ w~ "~n ~nl~ window ~o th~ e~t~ ¢~m !Io out~id~, but
¢~t~ le~v~ which w~ h~v~ to pick up. · m~n," I h~d to ~pond. prolfibit~d fromro~ming £re~lY.Loil STOKing' i~
And with ~fll du~ m~pt~-'t to th, n~ighbor P~rlmp~ if mom p~opl, continu~ to ¢om~
who feeds the stray Cats, stop it} If you want plain about the problem many of us have, Bakersflelii';
...~
Page 1 of 1
3ean Parks - Message for Legislative and Litigation Committee
III I
From: Jean Parks
To: Alan Christensen
Subject: Message for Legislative and Litigation Committee
Diane HcClanahan
1100 Saywood Ct
Bakersfield, CA 93312
Ms. McClanahan called and left the following message for the Legislative and Litigation Committee regarding
Regulation of Cats.
She is in favor of regulating cats. The neighbors' cats are tearing up her flowers and defecating in the flower
bed.
She requested mailed copies of the agenda.
about:blank 8/9/2006
REDLINED
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD AMENDING
CHAPTER 9.23 OF THE BAKERSFIELD
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO LOUD
AND UNRULY EVENTS.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 9.23 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Chapter 9.23 ~SSESS.MENT OF SERVICE FEE FOR COSTS FOR LOUD OR
UNRULY EVENTS
Sections:
9.23.010 Purpose.
9.23.020 Findings.
9.23.030 ........... ' "'"~ ......... "', cvc.":t= ,.,,.';'~*;'""'~...,.,,. Definitions.
9.23.040 O ............. ;k,.. *... = ,.....~ ........ "' cvc.-.t. Resoonsibilitv
for pro~ Manauement
9.23 .070050 r,;,,;,.,......';" ~,;,;,,,__ . ..-, ~,,,..,. ,r,..... .... ,.,..,...~° ,.."* =......... ..... .-" rccpcn cc *".,, = ...__'"' "'~ ,,-.,.
u~dy-event~Warninq issued at time of initial response.
9.23.060 Pone!fy =nd =mc'.:'nt cf cc.".'!cc fcc. Civil liability for the costs of
a second or subsequent response to a loud or unruly event,
9 23 070 ~'"'";""; ..... '~ "* ~;"'~ "* ;";*;"' ccpcnse Penalty and
........... = ........................ r . amount
of service ~.
9.23.080 Assessment of service fee;.
9.23.090 Notice of assessment of service fee.
9.23.100 Payment of service fe~..
9.23.110 Sm=!! c!=~mc ccfc:ccmc.-.t. Loud or Unruly Events where
alcoholic beveraqes are served to, or consumed by, undera.qe
persons.
9.23.120 Protected activities~
9.23.130 Riqht to Appeal Administrative Citation and Service Fee to the
City Manaqer.
9.23.! 10140 Smati-~aims Enforcement.
9.23.150 Severability.
S:\COUNCIL\Ords~06-07 Ords\9.23.CoolParentsAmdOrdRdln. doc
-- Page 1 of 10 Pages --
REDLINED
9.23.010 Purpose.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to Article III of the City Charter in order to
provide a means for recovering the costs incurred by the city for the city police and fire
department personnel participating in a second or sUbseouen~t response to a loud or
unruly event from the person or persons responsible for such event or multiple
resm~nses to multinle loUd or unrulY events at the Same address.
Further.. this Chapter is intended to deter the service to.. and consumption
of alcoholic beverages by underage persons. This purpose is implemented by
the imposition of a civil money penalty against social hosts and landowners
(includino landlords) for loud or unruly events where alcoholic beverages are
served to or consumed by.. underaoe oersons.
A violation of this Chapter shall be a civil offense separate from any
~)otential criminal imnlications. As such. violators may be subiect to the civil
remedies available to the City of Bakersfield.. such as fines, restitution and
abatement measures. Further.. unlike criminal offenses; a violation of thin
Chaoter does not carry the possibility of incarceration.
9.23.020 Findinqs.
The City Council finds as follows:
A. That personnel from the city police and fire departments spend a
significant amount of their time responding to loud and unruly events as defined in this
chapter;
B. That frequently, police and fire department personnel are required to
respond a second time or multiple times to the same loud or unruly event after
warning the person or persons responsible for such event that the event is being
conducted in an unlawful manner and must be terminated and that frequently~ a
res[~onse is reouired because ~"' -c~scn '''~ +~'"' ~""* *~,o* those resoonsible ....
~...,~'" ............. .....,, ... ~...,.....,.. failed to take the steps necessary to terminate such unlawful
conduct;..,'- ..,4
C. That frequently; police and fire department personnel are required to
respond multiple times to the same address for multiple loud or unruly events
after warning the person or persons responsible for such events that they are
beino conducted in an unlawful manner and that frequently,, a response is
required because those responsible failed to take the steps necessary to prevent
the occurrence of further unlawful events at that address; and
C.D_~. That it would be appropriate to recover from the person or persons
responsible for a loud or unruly event the costs incurred by the city for the police and
fire department personnel participating in a second or subsequent response to an
address such cvcnt in those situations in which such person or persons were duly
warned at the time of the initial response that a ..... ,4 ........ service fee would
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be assessed against them if further responses were required due to the
continuation of the unlawful event or the occurrence of future unlawful events, at
¢'0 *~'"'" ''~ ¢'0 ;";*;"~ responco *'" tko ..... ~
E. That the occurrence of loud and unrulv events where alcoholic
beveraoes are served to. or consumed bv. underaoe'oersons is harmful to the
undera~e persons involved and a threat t(~ 'public h~alt'h., safety., quiet enjoyment
of residential DroDertv and the oeneral welfare. Underaoe persons often obtain
alcoholic bev~rag'es at events th-at are under the control ~)f ~ person who knows..
or should know., of the underage consumption of alcohol,
F. That in many cases., persons having possession or control of
DroDerty who are responsible for the occurrence of loud or unruly events on that
proDertv have failed to ensure that alcoholic beveraoes are neither served to.. nor
consumed by.. underaoe persons at these events. Furthermore.. problems
associated with loud or unruly events where alcoholic beverages are served to; or
consumed by.. underaoe persons are difficult to prevent and deter unless the
Bakersfield Police DeDartment has the leoal authority to direct the host to
disoerse the oatherino.
G. That law enforcement, fire and other emeroency response services
personnel have., and are required to. respond., sometimes on multiple occasions
in the same calendar year. to loud and unruly events resultin(3 in a
disDronortionate exoenditure of Dublic safety resources and delavino official
resoonses to regular and emeroencv calls in the rest of the City of Bakersfield.
Additionally: underage drinking at such events has resulted in disproportionately
hioher numbers of underage persons driving while intoxicated., increased social
violence; and incidents of sexual assault.
9 23 030 ' "' '-~ ........ ]" ¢v¢'-*= dcfi.".cdDefinitions
For purposes of this chapter, the followino terms ['-, ,'~ ..... * '-'-"~ ...... ' ....... *
are defined as follows:
A. A loud event means an event or incident which results in any loud or
unusual noise which disturbs the peace and quiet of a neighborhood or which causes
discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitivity residing in the
neighborhood and is unlawful under the provisions of Chapter 9.22 of this code; and
B. An unruly event is any event or incident which threatens the public health,
safety or welfare and is unlawful under the provisions of this code or the laws of the
state,
C. "Alcohol" means ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl., or spirits of
wine. from whatever source or by whatever Drocess produced,
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D. "Alcoholic beverage" includes alcohol, soirits., liquor== wine. beer, and
which contains one-half of one oercent or more of alcohol by volume and which
is fit for beverage purposes either alone or when diluted., mixed., or combined with
other substances.
E. "Juvenile" means any person under eighteen years of age.
F. "Underage person" means any person under twenty-one years of
8~-3,~040 G. "Persons responsible" *'--.,.. ... ~' ...,...'-',,'~ ... ........ ,.......,' ....... .........* For purposes of
this chapter, a person over the aa_e of eighteen (18___) shall be considered to be
responsible for a ~" ''~ ........
............ y an event if:
~ 1, Such person is entitled to possession of any private property on
which the event occurs, either by reason of the fact that such person is an owner
entitled to possession of such property or by reason of the fact that such person is a
lessee or tenant entitled to possession of the property; or
~.___ Such person is entitled to the use of any public property on which
the event occurs by reason of any permit or entitlement issued to such person by the
city or any other governmental agency owning or otherwise controlling the property; or
Such person accepts responsibility for the event.
A responsible person for a loud or unruly event need not be present at such
event resulting in the response giving rise to the imposition of civil money
penalties or response costs. Prior knowledoe of the loud or unruly event is not a
pre-requisite to a finding that any specific ~-ndividual is a responsible person as
defined by this section.
040 ccpc.-.='blc tResponsibility fo
9 23 o ...... r : ,... = ,,,,,,~ ........ k.
................. , cv=n r
Property Manaqement.
Every owner, occupant, lessee or holder of any Dossessory interest of a
oroDertv within the City. of Bakersfield is required to maintain, manage and
supervise the orooerty and all persons thereon in a manner so as not to violate
the orovisions of this chaoter. The owner of the Drooertv remains liable for such
violations regardless of any contract or agreement with any third party reoardino
the Drooertv~
eve~Warninq issued at time of initial response.
Where personnel from the city police or fire department responding to a loud or
unruly event determine that the ,,,"o,,,",' ,",',,',~,,,-* ....... ;'-'" '-* o,,,'h event can be
terminated or otherwise appropriately addressed without arresting or citing the person
or persons responsible for the event, such police or fire department personnel may
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issue a warning to any person responsible for the event in lieu of arresting or issuing a
citation to such person or:~r~s for tb 10ud or Unruly event, as a rcc'..'It cf thc
eveP,~. Such warning shall set forth the date and time of the initial response, a brief
description of the unlawful activity complained of and/or observed at the event, the
address of the property on which the event occurred, and a statement that if city police
or fire department personnel are required to respond a second time or a subseouent
~ to the seme address because.of the same event or a similar another event
within a twc!ve-hour thin da~ period by reason of the fact that the event continues to
be conducted in an unlawful manner or by reason of the fact that future events are
loud or unruly eVentS as defined i~ Section 9,23,030 of this code. such person or
~ will be assessed a service fee as and for the city's second or subseouent
response costs in the amount provided for by this chapter. Such warning shall also state
that the service fee, if any, shall be in addition to any criminal fine or other sanction
arising out of any arrest of such person or the issuance of a citation to such person as a
result of such response or resoonse~s. Any person issued a written warning in the
manner provided for by this section shall sign the warning acknowledging receipt
there;f. ~ : ! ! ~ ' ~
ioud or unruly eVent.
9.23.060 Pe.-:.c!t¥ =.-.d =mcu.-.t cf cc.:icc fccCivil liability for the costs of a
second Or SUbSeouent response to a loud or unruly event.
Any person ~ responsible for a loud or unruly event shall be civilly
liable to the city for a service fcc which fee shall represent all costs incurred by the city
arising out of a second respeP, se or subseouent resDons~e which is made by the city
police or fire department to e.o.J~Ldy..a,s~ such event where:
A. Any member of the police or fire department initially responded to the same
address eve~ during the preceding twe4ve-heu~ thirty day period;
B. At the time of making such initial response, personnel from the city police or
fire department warned such person ~:_i~:&0J~, in writing, that the event was being
conducted in an unlawful manner, and that if police or fire department personnel were
required to respond a second time or multiole times to the address because of the
same lOUd or unruly event or oth~ event~, eve~, suc--~erson or
~ would be assessed a........,,.~'~ ,....~....,.... service fee ..~ .... ~.,,..'~ for the city's
seee~ response costs in the amount provided for by this chapter; and
C. Following such initial response, the city police or fire department were
required to respond a second or subseouent time to the cvcnt same addres~ by
reason of the fact that either the event continued to be conducted in an unlawful
manner, or another loUd or Unru!v event was held in an unlawful manner at the
same add~s~, notwithstanding such ~ written warning.
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9 23 070 uu......'..,,., -' ..... '" "° °""'" "' "";'""' rccpc.-.ccpena~ and amount of
~.rvice fee,
In addition to the. ~ ~ provided for in Chapter 1.40 of this code or
S~cflong:23;ilO of thls c°de when aPPr°Priate, the city of Bakersfield may assess
the service fee specified in Section 9.23.05096___~0 pursuant to Chapter 3.70 of this code if
the city has satisfied all the conditions stated in Section 9.23.050960.
9.23.080 Assessment of service fee.
Where the city manager or his designee determines that a second response or
subSeouent resoonse has been made to a loud or unruly event within a ~.¥c!vc hour
~ period following the initial response to ~ the same address, the
city manager or his designee shall assess a service fee against any person or persons
responsible for the event who was issued a written warning at the time of the initial
response to the event in the manner provided by this chapter. Such service fee shall be
determined pursuant to Chapter 3.70 and shall b~e consistent with the costs incurred by
the city for all of the police and/or fire department personnel participating in the second
~, or subseouent resoonse~ or the sum of one thousand dollars, whichever is
less. Where two or more persons are assessed a service fee for the same resoonse to
a loud or unruly event, all such persons shall be jointly and severally liable to the city for
the full amount of such fee. Each resOonse by. city .pO.liCe or fire deoartmerlt
oerSonnel is a seoarate event, and a Corresoondina service.fee ma.v be assessed
for eaCh.SUch resoonse that Occurs within thirtv davs after an initial Warnin.a. in
oiven.
9.23.090 Notice of assessment of service fee.
Upon ~ a de~rm~naflon to assess a .......... ~, ..... service fee or
fees against a person ~ responsible for a loud or unruly event or events, the
..,.~ managor Chief of POliCe or his designee shall cause notice of the assessment to
be served on such person ~ by depositing such notice, first class postage
prepaid, in the United States mail addressed to tho each person at fha each person's
last known address, in addition to setting forth the amount of the s~cond rospon~o
~ fee.
9.23.100 Payment of service fee.
Every service fee assessed upon a person or___Dersons responsible for a loud or
unruly event in the manner provided by this chapter shall be due and payable on or
before the last day of the month immediately following the month in which notice of the
assessment of the fee was mailed to such person. In the event of the failure of a person
assessed a ..... '~ ........ service fee or fees to pay such fee when due, a
delinquency penalty of ten percent shall be added to the fee on the last day of each
month after the due date thereof; provided, however, that the total amount of such
penalties shall not exceed fifty percent of the fee or fee_____~s, in addition, in the event of the
failure of a person assessed a ..... '~ ........ service fee or fees to pay such fee or
~ when due, such person shall be assessed interest on the amount of the delinquent
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fee ~, exclusive of any penalties thereon, at the rate of one percent per month, or
any fraction thereof, from the date the fee or fees first became delinquent until the date
the fee ~ is paid.
9.23.110 Small claims cnfc;ccmentLoud or Unruly Events where alcoholic
beverages are served to; or consumed by.. underage persons.
A. It is a civil violation of this Chapter.. and a public nuisance
constituting an immediate threat to public health and safety warranting summary
abatement, for any responsible person to conduct or allow a loud or unruly event
at which service to. or consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by,
undera(~e persons occurs. Each responsible person found in violation of this
section will be individually subiect to the full civil money penalty of $1000;
irrespective of the number of persons held liable for the same event.
B. Nothing in this section shall be construed as a waiver bv the City of
Bakersfield of any right to seek reimbursement for actual costs of response
services throu(~h other legal remedies or procedures. Imposition of a service fee
or fees under section 9.23.060 of this code is separate from the civil penalty of
this section and may be imDosed in addition to the penalty described in this
sectiorh
C. Any loud or unruly event at which service to or consumption of
alcohol or alcoholic beverages bv underac~e oersons occurs constitutes a public
nuisance and an immediate threat to public health and safety and shall be
summarily abated by the Bakersfield Police Department by all reasonable means
including., but not limited to; an order requiring the event to be disbanded and
citation under this chapter as well as an administrative citation and/or arrest of
any law violators under any other applicable ordinances and state statutes.
D. The City Attorney and the Bakersfield Police Department are
authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of this section. The City
Attorney and the Bakersfield Police Department may exercise any enforcement
powers provided bv law in executin(~ this section.
E. The Bakersfield Police Department shall issue a citation to any
oersons found responsible for the loud or unruly event involving service to or
consumption of alcohol bv undera(~e individuals. The citation will be issued at
the location of such an event., at which time the responsible person(s) shall si(~n
his/her name to acknowledge its receipt.
9.23.120 Protected activities.
This chaoter shall not aPPly to activities protected by Article I.. Section 4 of
the California Constitution.
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9.23.130 Rioht to AoDeal Administrative Citation and Service Fee to the City
Manaoer.
A. A responsible person who is subject to civil liability or a penalty
pursuant to Section 9.23.060 or 9.23.110 may contest by filin_o an appeal with the
City Clerk within ten (10) days from the date of the issuance of the administrative
citation or service fee mailin¢~_.
B. The City Manager may reverse: affirm wholly or partly., or modify, the
administrative penalty or service fee. The decision of the City Mana=er on any
such aooeal shall be final on adootion of an order containin= its determination.
Notice of the final decision shall be served bv certified or re=istered mail or] the
affected persons.
C. Pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure. any person
who has received an administrative citation or service fee issued oursuant to this
chaoter, may.. followino exhaustion of administrative remedies, seek judicial
review of the order bv filing a petition for writ of mandate within ninety (90) days
after the order becomes final and bindin= Bursuant to this chapter.
Notwithstandin= the orovisions of Section 1094.5 or 1094.6 of the Code of Civil
Procedure. any oerson who contests the final administrative order issued under
this chaoter re_oardino the imoosition., enforcement or collection of the
administrative nenalties imposed, may seek iudicial review of the order bv filinQ
an a~oeal with the Suoerior Court within twenty f20) days after service of the
order in accordance with Section 53069.4 of the Government Code.
9.23.! ! 0140 Small~_~ai~-Enforcement.
The city or its agent may use all le.qal means to enforce the assessment of thc
any service fee or fees or administrative oenaltv or oenalties r,,, ,;,,,, an -~*;'-" ~'-~
,~,,-,,,, ...,,.,,,,...,,,..,""""'"*~'"", ..,"~ , ......, ,..,, ,'--:, ,,~", ,~,,, ,,., .... .. ,,, ,.. ,," ,.,o~..,,.,,,, ,., ...... ....,~, ,~ ..,,'"~ *~',, ,,., ...... ..,.,,~, ,,:, .*" The city or its agent may
use all legal means to enforce any judgment obtained against the responsible parties
including but not limited to recording an abstract of judgment and wac~e garnishment ef
wages.
9.23.150 Severabilitv_.
If anv section., subsection., sentence, clause., phrase or oortion of this chaoter
is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional bv any court of comoetent
jurisdiction., such oortion shall be deemed a seoarate., distinct and indeoendent
orovision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion
thereof.
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] EDLINED
SECTION 2.
This Ordinance shall be posted in accordance with the provisions of the
Bakersfield Municipal Code and shall become effective thirty (30) days from and after
the date of its passage.
....... oo0oo ........
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DL] NED
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance was passed and adopted by
the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on ,
by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERCARSON, BENHAM, MAGGARD, COUCH, HANSON, SULLIVAN, SCRIVNER
NOES: COUNCILMEMBER
ABSTAIN: COUNClLMEMBER
ABSENT: COUNClLMEMBER
CITY CLERK and EX OFFICIO of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED:
By:
HARVEY L. HALL, Mayor
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
By:.
HELENA RHO
Associate City Attorney
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Lz~CO 5300 Lennox Ave: Suite 303 (661)716-1076
Bakersfield CA 93309 FAX (661)716-1079
Kern County Local Agency Formation Commission
August 10, 2006
Alan Christensen
Assistant City Manager
City of Bakersfield
1501 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield CA. 93301
Dear Mr. Christensen:
Thank you for your letter of July 25, 2006. This letter comes at a good time. The
first week in September I will be meeting with my colleges from around the state. It would
be the perfect time to ask about pre-annexation procedures other cities use. I will let you
know what I learn.
Sincerel,¥,_
William A. Turpin
Executive Officer
BAKERS'FIELD
Alan Tandy · City Mana!~er
July 25, 2006
William Turpin
Executive Director
LOCAL AGENCY
FORMATION COMMISSION
5300 Lennox, Suite 303
Bakersfield, CA 93309.
Dear Mr. Turpin:
As you may have heard, the City of Bakersfield is in the process of re-evaluating
our pre-annexation policy. A red-lined version is enclosed for your review.
A question has arisen as to whether you, as the LAFCO Executive Director, will
recommend that annexations to the City'of Bakersfield be delayed and/or
denied if our pre-annexation policy is not followed.
We would appreciate your response to this question in writing, and your written
opinion as to whether you believe Kem.County cities should have pre-annexation
policies, or if they should rely solely on state law governing annexations.
Sincerely,
Alan Christensen
Assistant City Manager
Enclosure
Cc: Alan Tandy, City Manager (wi attachment)
Pamela McCarthy, City Clerk (w/o attachment)
Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney (w/o attachment
Stan Grady, Development Services Director (w/ attachment))
City of Bakersfield · City Mana~Jer's Office ° 1501 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield · California ° 93301
(661) 326-3751 · Fax (661) 324-1850
B A K E R S F I E L D
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
MEMORANDUM
July 13, 2006
TO: Legislative & Litigation Committee
pamela McCarthy, City Clerk~.~
FROM:
sUBjECT: Survey of Cities Regarding Annexation Policy
At the request of the Committee, I placed a survey question on the City Clerk's
"LiSt Serve.·" Through this venue, I sent an e-mail requeSting information to 345
City Clerks throUghout the State, With only fiVe responding.
No one rePorted having a poliCy that iSas detailed or complicated as our current
policy. . ThOse that responded were 'merelY reCaPs of the State Law and LAFCO
· procedUres. There were no specifics regarding dates, times or language to ·be
uSed in notices;. There were no particulars regarding neighborhood meetings.and
there were none reported holding any Pre-LAFCO hearings before the City
.CounCiL
.'.Additionally, I requested information from each of the eleven incorporated cities
~n Kern COunty. California Cityl Maricopa, McFarlandl Shafter, Tehachap! and
Wasco responded that they follow LAFCO guidelines only. Arvin, Delano,
Ridgecrest and 'Taft failed to respond..
. The .folloWing' is a recap of the responses received.
City ·· Information Provided
ClOvis Most of their anneXations ·are rUral
'" residential where the homeOwners are
loOking for services. The City enters into
Annexation Agreements With the PropertyI
whiCh outlines the services to be provided,.
zOning,'etc.. They do not hOweverl, hav® a
formal "Pre,Annexation" procedUre.
Gilroy Their POlicy is more of a Guideline focusing
°n Zoning, agricUlture and special districts.
It does not address Steps to be taken .prior
· to proceeding with annexation. It does not
provide a time-line nor does it referenCe
'neighbOrhOod meetings or FAQ's.
Legislative & Litigation Committee
Re: Survey of Cities regarding Annexation Policy
July 13, 2006
i'rvine They follow LAFCO only.
Montclair No formal written policy. They do have a
process used in reCent years, Which include
informal workshops to discuss impacts and
have aVailable a Q & ^ sheet available.'
There is no specific time, line referenced.
Santa No formal written policy. They do have a
Clarita process, which includes a COmmunity
Meeting. No specific time frame outlined
and 'no protest Hearing'other than LAFCO.
S:~vlEMOS\COUNClL\Leg&Lit-Annex Survey3.DOC
Page 2 of 2
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY
OF BAKERSFIELD AMENDING AND RE-AFFIRMING
CITY'S ANNEXATION MISSION STATEMENT AND
ESTABLISHING A PRE-APPLICATION PROCESS FOR
ANNEXATIONS.
WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Bakersfield adopted an Annexation Mission
Statement on February 21, 1996 which outlines several reasons why the City pursues
annexations and the manner and outcomes which are expected to result from said annexations;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Bakersfield adopted Resolution 029-02
regarding the City's Pre-Application Process for Annexations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Bakersfield adopted Resolution 029-02
regarding the City's Pre-Application Process for Annexations; and
WHEREAS, State law requires the annexation procedure to be under the auspices of
the Local Formation Agency Commission (herein "LAFCO"); and
WHEREAS, annexation remains an identifiable goal of the City Council, a recommended
positive step in the Vision 2020 Plan, and a supported finding from the 1999-2000 Kern County
Grand Jury; and
WHEREAS, the City Council intends to disseminate annexation information prior to the
involvement of LAFCO and desires to assure citizens that to the extent annexation information
is provided by the City, that it occurs in an honorable, courteous, informative, timely and honest
manner; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to re-affirm the goals and pledge of said Mission Statement
by establishing a Pre-Application Process which will govern how City Council and City staff
handle annexations, prior to the involvement of LAFCO; and
WHEREAS, the Pre-Application Process will include a number of steps, to notify the
property owners/occupants within the proposed area c~ cf wh!ch ch~!! 5~ ~ .Not!c~d H~rin9
~v,v, ~'~'~'-" *~'"..,v _~,.~. ~,,v,~ ~ o~.,~,.o~,,~,~ r'-~,,,v,., r",-.,v~, ,~,,'""a prior to adoption of the Resolution of Application.
NOW THEREFORE, incorporating the above recitals herein, the City Council for the City
of Bakersfield hereby:
1. Amends and re-affirms the Annexation Mission Statement adopted by the
Bakersfield City Council on February 21, 1996, attached hereto as Exhibit "A"
and incorporated by reference herein.
2. Adopts the Annexation Pre-Application Process attached hereto as Exhibit "B"
and incorporated by reference herein.
' 3. This Resolution supersedes Resolution 029-02.
-oo0oo-
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by
the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on
, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBER: CARSON, BENHAM, MAGGARD, COUCH HANSON, SULLIVAN, SCRIVNER
NOES: COUNClLMEMBER:
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER:
PAMELA A. McCARTHY, CMC
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio Clerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED:
By:
HARVEY L. HALL
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
By:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
:pmc
S:\HEARINGS~N N EXSPolicy\RedLine Strikeout~An nexReso. DOC
Created on 6/21/2006 1:11:00 PM
EXHIBIT "A"
ANNEXATION MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the City of Bakersfield's annexation efforts is to provide clear
consolidated boundaries which result.in the most effective delivery of urban services
and in the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars. In fulfilling this mission, we, the city of
Bakersfield elected officials and staff pledge the following:
· To deliver services to citizens within newly annexed county areas more efficiently
and with a greater transfer of benefits as a result of becoming a part of the City;
and
· To provide quality services to citizens in the most efficient, effective and courteous
manner possible; and
· To encourage current and future residents to participate in determining the direction
and spirit of the City and its neighborhoods; and
· To assure our contact with citizens will be in the-me~ an honorable, courteous,
informative, timely and honest manner in our efforts to encourage adjacent
residents to unite with the City of Bakersfield; and
· To make continual efforts to improve the quality of life, the delivery of services and
the community spirit within and around Bakersfield; and
· To preserve the integrity of each property owner's vote, by not combining non-
contiguous areas on the Resolution of Application, unless 100% owner approval
is received in writing by the City.
EXHIBIT "B"
ANNEXATION
PRE-APPLICATION PROCESS
The following steps are proposed for the City of Bakersfield prior to application for
annexation to LAFCO of territory inhabited by 12 or more resident electors:
· Identify Proposed Annexation Area
Development Services Department - Planning Division will identify
the proposed annexation area, based on request by City or Citizens
to initiate annexation.
· Notify City Council
The Development Services Director will notify the Council, in writing
of the annexation proposal. This notification, by way of
memorandum, will be distributed through City Manager's weekly
General Information Memo, which is available in the City Clerk's
Office.
· Send out "Frequently Asked Questions"
~:requently asked questions and responses regarding the proposed
annexation
~,, ,-.,~,~--, ,-,~*' .... ~..,.v,-,~...~ ., .~ .. .. .. v ,* ; ..... ,v ~,,,~,~ , .... .-.v~.v,~ .... ,....., will be prepared by the
Staff r', .... , ..... , e,~,.,~,-~., r,,~.,.~,~,....,~f made available on the
City's website at www.bakersfieldcity.us and provided at
informational meetings. Additionally, a copy will be included with
the Notice of Proposed Annexation and mailed to all property
owners/occupants within the proposed area. Standard questions
will appear on all letters. Some additional questions and / answers
with regard to taxes or other issues specific to the area may be
included.
· Informational Meetings
At least one mandatory noticed informational meeting at a public
facility will be conducted within the proposed annexation area. The
Kern County Supervisor representing the area and County staff will
be invited to these meetings. Best effo~s wi!! be made te conduct
City Councilmembers may wish to also schedule additional informal
meetings in the area in order to share information and this should
not be precluded. In all cases, the Councilmember will be invited to
any informational meeting. In all cases, the Councilmember will be
invited to any informational meeting. Efforts will be made to use
public facilities for informational meetings. However, this does not
preclude the use of resident homes.
· It is the intent of this section to assure that
information is readily available and shared with
citizens. With this in mind, staff will attempt to use
the internet to disseminate annexation information
when financially feasible. It is imperative that staff
be available to respond to questions by citizens
and share information in either a group or individual
setting.
· Notification
r~,.,... ,h,. h,..~.~,.,, h-.o ~, ..... h,..~..~..,4 written notice will be mailed
to all property owners/occupants within the proposed area. Netiee
will be a prepaid post card included,,,;'- *~"-..,~ ,,...,....."'-*;"'- '-;";"'-~,.,,,~ requesting
the owner/occupant ...... "*..~';*', *'- express their opinion
regarding the annexation, by mail or personal delivery. This is an
informal request for information and not a formal voting procedure.
The notice will be prepared and mailed by City Clerk Staff no later
than 20 days prior to the hear4¢~ Resolution of Application. See
attached Exhibit "1" and "2"
2
D, ,b,;c~%n
· Resolution of Application
A Resolution of Application for Annexation of a proposed area will
be brought to the Council for
otha.',;;!sa by Cau"s~ consideration. The public can address the
Oouncil at this time. Final approval of the proposed annexation will
be determined by the Local Agenay Formation Commission
(LAFCO). Contact LAFOO at (661) 716-1076 for additional
information on their proaeedings.
EXHIBIT "1"
NOTICE OF u"'^°'~'G BEFORE Tu,"
PROPOSED ANNEXATION BY THE ~ITY ~F ~AKE~SF~E~D
Bakersfield ANNEXATION NO. 398, GENERALLY KNOWN AS PANAMA ~12.
~ A Resolution of Application will be ~ heard before the City Council of the City of
.............. ~ p.m. at 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be
heard on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2001, in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 1501
Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California, 93301 Th ..........
purpose of this action is to initiate proceedings with the Local Agency Formation Commission
(LAFCO).
The area being considered is generally located noah and south of Panama Lane, west of State
Route 99 (Freeway 99). See the attached map (Exhibit A) that shows the affected territo~.
These proceedings were initiated by the prope~y owner(s) or City (choose one1. The reason
the has proposed this annexation is
WRITTEN CO.~."..~.".ENTS The City Council is interested in your written comments regarding the
proposed annexation. Comments may be filed by any owner/occupant within the proposed
annexation area, by returning the enclosed, postage paid postcard, or letter with the City Clerk
at any time prior to adoption of the Resolution of Application by the City Council.
Final approval of the proposed annexation will be determined by the Local Agency Formation
Commission (LAFCO). Contact LAFCO at (661) 716-1076 for additional information on their
proceedings.
Dated:
Pamela A. McCarthy, CMC
City Clerk and Ex Officio Clerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
NOTE: Notice to be mailed in City of Bakersfield Envelope with "Public Hc~rlng Ncticc" in Rod Ink.
NOTICE Of HEAR!,HG
REGARDING PROPOSED ANNEXATION
I ~f;~n- ~ ;~ Tr~ ,v+, ~n A~ ~;+~ ~11 ~, ,n~;I ~m~r~
A Resolution of Application is being proposed for the following territory.
The City Council would like to receive your comments, prior to adopting
the Resolution. Please complete this card and return to the City Clerk.
This is for information purposes only and not an official vote.
Regarding: Annexation No. 398, Generally Known as Panama fl12 __ I
suppoA the proposed annexation
__ I oppose the proposed annexation
__ I have no preference regarding annexation
__ I request additional information regarding:
For Annexation Information Contact:
c^. ,~ .... ,;~ D .... '~ Hooting r.^~,~, r-;,., r-~^.~. ,~ 326..3767
For Annexction Information Contcct City Planning @ (661)326-3733
LAFCO @ (661) 716-1076
Councilmember .@ (661) xxx-xxxx
B 'A K 'E R S. iF I E L D
City Clerk's Office
1501 Truxtun Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
CITY CLERK
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
1501 TRUXTUN AVENUE
BAKERSFIELD CA 93301