PROPOSED FERAL CAT ORDINANCE

FROM SPECIAL FERAL CAT COMMITTEE

 

9.04.020 Definitions

F. “Authorized Feral Cat Care Organization “means any tax exempt organization under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or similar requirements of section 9.14.010 of this chapter and other applicable laws.

P. "Feral cat" means any free roaming domestic cat without owner identification of any kind whose usual and consistent temperament is extreme fear and resistance to contact with people and is not socialized in accordance with Food and Agriculture Code Section 31752.5 subdivision (b) as amended from time to time.

DD. “Feral Cat Caregiver” is a volunteer who feeds feral cat colonies out of compassion for the cats.  Many work with a tax-exempt organization under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and many work on their own. 

S. "Owner" means any person over eighteen years of age owning, keeping, harboring or having custody of, or possession of, any animal. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for thirty or more consecutive days, except for feral cat caregivers.  This definition shall not apply to a veterinarian in the regular practice of his profession as to any animal in his possession while being treated or cared for. This definition shall not apply to an operator of a commercial kennel as to any animal that is being boarded in the regular practice of his business.

EE. “Wetlands Definition” For purposes of this section the Petaluma Wetlands are defined in the City of Petaluma General Plan 2025 as “an area at least periodically wet or flooded; where the water table stands at or above the land surface (bogs and marshes).  Also those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.  Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.”

FF.“Feral Cat Colony” is defined as a group (1 or more) of feral cats that have taken up residence in a place where food, water, shelter (not provided by humans) is available.

GG.“Trap Neuter Return Maintain” (TNRM) describes a nonlethal sterilization method to reduce the number of feral cats.  TNRM involves the following (1)stray and feral cats already living outdoors are humanely trapped, vaccinated, and sterilized by veterinarians; (2) kittens and cats that can be socialized are adopted into good homes; (3) healthy adult cats too feral to be adopted are returned to their familiar habitat under the care of a caregiver following current established standards of care; and (4) cats that are ill or injured and suffering irremediably are humanely euthanized. 

 

9.14.110  Feral cat colony registration: trap, neuter, return, monitor (TNRM) program

A.    The City of Petaluma, like many communities throughout the country, has an obligation to effectively and humanely control feral cat populations within its borders. Feral cats, the direct result of irresponsible cat owners and abandonment, live in colonies and are cared for by compassionate caregivers.  The goal of reducing the numbers of feral cats can be reached through a Trap, Neuter, Return and Maintenance Program (TNRM).  This is a cost-effective way to reduce feral cat populations over time without capture and euthanasia.   These goals can be accomplished by feral cat caregivers working with a 501©(3) Feral Cat Organization and following guidelines for proper

management of colonies.
 

B.     All Authorized Feral Cat Care Organizations must:

1.      Register with Animal Services and provide proof of status as a 501©(3) or comparable nonprofit organization;

2.      Submit a written plan to Animal Services identifying the organization’s name, project leaders, objectives, and implementation plans.

3.      Establish a colony tracking system, which includes colony location with the number of altered and unaltered members.  Provide citywide statistics on the number of cats/kittens altered and removed from colonies for adoption or relocation.  Provide a yearly assessment of success for the reduction of feral cat populations.

4.      Collaborate with City of Petaluma on a public education program promoting TNRM.

5.      Establish standardized colony management guidelines including sterilization, vaccinations, testing, ear tipping, feeding and maintenance based upon current recognized standards of care and agreed upon by Animal Services and Authorized Feral Cat Cat Organization

6.      Work in cooperation with Petaluma Animal Services in response to a complaint or alleged violation of law.

C.     This section is not intended to prevent a private party from asserting any legal rights to enjoin or seek damages resulting from feral cats that adversely affects such person’s property interests.

D.    The City may abate a public nuisance created by improper colony management on public property in accordance with Title 9 of this Code. 

E.     Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, feeding feral cats is prohibited

1.      In or within the Petaluma Wetlands.  For purposes of this section the Petaluma Wetlands is defined in the City’s General Plan 2025.

2.      Inside Shollenberger Park.

3.      On private land without permission from the owner of the land.

9.14.120  Required records for commercial kennels, catteries. 

Every commercial kennel, cattery pursuant to this chapter shall keep available, on the permitted premises, records available for inspection by the director.  These records shall contain all of the following:

A.    The names, current address, and telephone number of the owner of each animal at the kennel or cattery.

B.     The date each animal entered the kennel, cattery.

C.     The reason for each animal being at the kennel or cattery, such as for boarding, sale, breeding or grooming.

D.    A description of each animal at the kennel or cattery, including age, breed, sex and color.

E.     A current, valid rabies certificate for each animal over four months of age at the kennel or  cattery.

9.08.210  Feeding of Wildlife

Wildlife is defined to include, but not limited to, ducks, geese, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, and/or deer.

Approved by:      Jennifer Kirchner, Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County

                                Susan Simons, Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County

                                Marcelle Guy, PetalumaFeralCats.com

                                Diane Reilly Torres

                                Angela Zumsteg, 2000-04 Animal Services Advisory Committee Member

                                Pat Boyd, Save Our Ferals

Marcelle  E. Guy
9 Oakwood Drive  Petaluma, CA 94954
707-763-3790                    elle@svn.net
www.ellevie.com


September 24, 2009



Dear Mayor Torliatt and Members of City Council:

Today I delivered for you a copy of my latest project:  "Born Feral"

Born Feral is a documentary about Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County.  I am very proud and thankful for Forgotten Felines staff and volunteers for allowing me this opportunity to share their work with you and Petaluma.  It was always with you on my mind that I wanted to create this film because I know you don't have the time to spend one day at a clinic for feral cats.  Two camera operators and I did that for you and in thirty minutes you will learn all there is to know about humane management for feral cats.

The critics for this documentary are very good and I am encouraged to promote it outside Sonoma County.  Once the feral cat issue is settled in Petaluma I will begin to promote it and share with other cities.  All I want is to be proud of Petaluma.  I want to tell others that here in Petaluma we take good care of our animals and   I hope you make this happen on October 5.  Serious mistakes were made in the past resulting in the death of thousands of innocent animals. 

We have been working on this project almost two years and today I want all of you to have all the tools necessary to make a good, sound and humane decision about our Petaluma homeless and feral cats. 

Please adopt our ordinance or no ordinance for Petaluma homeless and feral cats. 
Thank you and enjoy this beautiful film.


Warm regards,

Marcelle E. Guy
CC:    Chief Dan Fish
    Lieutenant Mike Cook

Attachment:    Proposed Petaluma Feral Cat Ordinance

 

Good News! I just learned that Born Feral has been chosen as finalist in two categories in the 2009 WAVE Awards.  Ceremony in Reno, NV October 17.  2009