Summary of Feral Cat Ordinance. Process

Transcription

1 Summary of Feral Cat Ordinance Six Public Meetings November 29, 2011 December 10, 2011 December 15, 2011 January 12, 2012 January 19, 2012 Process Plus dissemination of address for citizen input: July 12, 2012 Thirty-Day Public Comment Period for First Draft of Ordinance May 14 June 14,

2 Current Situation Sizeable feral cat population in Fort Worth No tools in place to monitor or address continued breeding and population growth The City addresses nuisance complaints through trapping and humane euthanasia of feral cats Approximately 3,000 feral cats wind up at animal shelter annually with no solutions other than humane euthanasia 2

3 City Staff Position Following research, public input, feedback Majority of public feedback favored Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) Concerns expressed were focused on potential nuisances and/or environmental impacts related to feral cats City staff endorses TNR as a mechanism to stabilize and/or reduce existing feral cat populations in Fort Worth in lieu of continuing an ineffective approach City staff is not creating a feral cat problem, it is attempting to control an existing feral cat problem 3

4 Section 1., Sec Definitions Changes definition of owner to exclude feral cats (removes if you feed an animal for 3 consecutive days, you own it clause for feral cats) Defines feral cat as a cat that is non-socialized and has no owner 4

5 Section 2., Sec Responsibilities of owners of domesticated cats No changes all current requirements remain intact Sec Feral Cat Colonies Permitted with regulations and accountability assigned at three levels Sponsors Caretakers City / Code Compliance Department 5

6 Sponsors must Obtain written permission from City to serve as sponsor Review and approve feral cat colony caretakers Help resolve any complaints over the conduct of caretakers or cats within a colony which they sponsor Maintain records provided by caretakers on size, location of colonies and vaccination, spay/neuter records for cats Provide City access to records Prevent colonies in environmentally sensitive areas Report to City unresolved non-compliance or nuisance issues 6

7 Caretakers must Register with a sponsor Take appropriate and reasonable steps to spay/neuter, vaccinate (initial and follow-up) and eartip colony cat Provide sponsors with cat descriptions and records Provide food and water for colony cats Obtain medical attention for any cats observed to require it Observe cats at least twice per week; keeping records of observed illness or unusual behavior 7

8 Caretakers must Obtain approval from property owner if access required to perform duties Take all reasonable steps to remove kittens after weaned, place kittens in adoptive homes, capture and spay mother Report annually to sponsor with specifics of colony and cats Comply with nuisance section and assist with eliminating nuisances as declared by City 8

9 Withdrawal of caretaker of sponsor Caretaker must notify sponsor; sponsor must notify City Removal of Feral Cat Colony cats Director (City Code Compliance Director or designee), may order removal of feral cat for public health, public safety, nuisance or animal welfare issues When City is in possession of an eartipped cat, sponsor shall be notified and shall identify caretaker (returned to caretaker unless nuisance, then nuisance provisions apply) 9

10 Sec Nuisances A feral cat causing a nuisance for first time TNR A second or subsequent time and the cat does not return to environment from which it came Sponsor/Caretaker seek alternative solutions Not re-located within Fort Worth Property owner has rights to humanely address nuisance wildlife on their property 10

11 Sec Enforcement City has right to revoke approval as caretaker or sponsor City can remove or direct removal of nuisance cat Guidelines for time limits on abating nuisances 11

12 Section 6. Same penalty clause as every other animal-related health and safety ordinance Up to $2,000 fine per offense Policies will clearly indicate that revocation of sponsor or caretaker status penalties for those working within system Citations reserved for those not working within system and violating ordinances 12