HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1993 0707 CC REG ITEM 11JIT 7
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� �• .v,Yn «�. CITY OF MOORPARK
1,-, AGENDA REPORT
The Honorable City Council
Donald P. Reynolds, Jr., Administrative services Mana T�;�
June 29, 1993
Consider Adoption of Cat Licensing
The following report presents information to assist the City in
det rmining whether or not the licensing of cats is preferred in
the City of Moorpark. The intent of the program is to increase the
num er of cats reclaimed by their owners, implement a rabies
vac ination requirement for cats, and to assist in paying for some
of he costs related to Ventura County Animal Regulation's care for
los or abandoned cats.
Dog are the only pets currently required by law to be licensed.
The licensing program cost $7.50 for a dog which has been spayed or
neu ered, and $25 for those which are not. A rabies vaccine is
req ired before receiving the license. The City contracts with
Ven ura County Animal Regulation for these services.
The current dog license law is provided for the Council in
Att chment "A ". Currently, the dog license fees represent the
maj rity of the revenues which are used to offset the cost of the
Ani al Regulation's services. Roughly 80% of the revenue
on inates from dog licenses, (which is approximately $25,600 of an
ave age total revenue rate of $32,000 per year, there were 2,409
dog licensed issued in fiscal year 1991/92). The City adopted the
Cou ty's ordinance upon incorporation in 1983, and neither of the
two laws have changed since this date.
The statistics in Attachment "B" show that the activities of Animal
Reg lation relate more to cat services than services for dogs. In
fiscal year 1991/92, 500 more cats were handled than dogs (handled
equ is reclaimed and impounded- reclaimed referring to a pet
own (is request for Animal Regulation's service), 600 more cats
were impounded than dogs, and the total number of cats that were
impcunded and later destroyed exceed the number of impounded dogs
destroyed by 46%, (2,446 impounded dogs destroyed, 5,261 impounded
catE destroyed). Overall, 81% of the cats handled were destroyed.
Thefe statistics are more meaningful when considering reclaimed
ani is and adoption rates: 25% of the dogs handled are reclaimed,
1.8 of the cats handled are reclaimed; 23% of the dogs handled are
ado led, 16% of the cats handled are adopted.
For approximately fourteen months, the County's Animal Regulation
Department has been developing a cat licensing program to be
presented to the County Board of Supervisors. This year, the
County budget process did not favor proposals that could result in
new expenses, even if projected revenues are anticipated to exceed
the cost of the program. Because initiating the program on a
Cou ty -wide basis will incur some expenses prior to revenues being
rec ived, and in respect to the many budget reducing measures
imp emented by Animal Regulation this year, the program has been
pos poned.
Whe Animal Regulation does present the ordinance to the County
Boa d of Supervisors, they anticipate using essentially the same
ord nance as presented in Attachment "A ", by replacing "dog" with
"ca ". Cat licensing and dog licensing will work together well if
the follow the same guidelines. The only significant difference
is hat the State requires all dogs to have rabies vaccinations,
and not for cats. The County does plan on including cats in the
rab es requirement, but leash laws and other items related to dogs
may be omitted.
The City has learned that the many of the technical aspects related
to computer programming, providing tags and monitoring the
actJ vities of the proposed program have already been established by
Ani al Regulation. Tags cost three cents a piece, and the same
tag used for dogs would be used for cats. The same forms would be
use for both purposes. No new materials have to be purchased.
The City will have to provide the outreach and pay for the
enf rcement costs above that of the current contract. If the City
inc rs expenses for these efforts, the results measured by the
Vol me of cat licenses issued, should equal or exceed the cost.
The es costs are not necessarily required in subsequent years,
the efore maximizing revenues by means of the annual renewal
pro less.
Sta f has discussed implementation of a cat licensing program with
thr a experienced agencies and Animal Regulation. Awareness and
comilunity understanding are crucial aspects.
Awa eness involves communicating to the public how the law will be
imp emented and why the law is being considered. The first
pri rity for adopting this law is public safety.
CatE are subject to catching rabies at much higher rate than dogs,
and the proposed program would make it mandatory for cats to have
rabies vaccinations. Cats chase after and catch small animals that
are common carriers of the disease. If a cat is impounded without
the vaccination, the animal is quarantined for 6 months, at a cost
of $P.50 per day. If it is vaccinated, the quarantine can occur at
, and will normally last one month.
The second important public awareness factor is the ability to
rec aim the animal. The statistics cited above indicate that very
few of the cats are reclaimed, (and Ventura County is significantly
hig er than others, 23 cats out of 19,000 were reclaimed in San
Ber adino last year). Using a license program, the City of Alameda
has had seven cats reclaimed since adopting the program (in
Feb uary, 1993) , where last year, only three cats were reclaimed in
a t elve month period. A quick reclamation procedure also limits
the need to impound the animal because communication between
nei hbors and the Animal Regulation department is improved,
red cing the cost to the average citizen for Animal Regulation
ser ices.
The third most important fact to communicate is that there is no
need to have the cat wear a collar with a license on it. Two other
meaiks of licensing the animal can occur: computer chip implant and
ear tags. The computer chip is the most favorable of the three,
and although it does not help a person's neighbor to find the
own r, it helps the Animal Regulation department. These chips are
imp anted at the owner's cost and provided by veterinarians.
Add tional factors can be included into the law to help initiate
the program. Some veterinarians do not give rabies certificates to
cat owners- one recommendation is adopt a one year waiver to show
proof of vaccination. Some persons do not have a record of the
cat s spay /neuter status- an amnesty period can also be considered
for this purpose, and be continued for new residents. Similar
lan uage addressing /omitting leash law requirements can also be
inc uded. Ownership is often a concern, and is currently defined
for dogs as 30 days of boarding the pet.
Attachment "C" is a summary of the program currently being
considered by the City of San Bernadino, and their ordinance. This
is heir second attempt at adopting this law, and the factors
mentioned above are based upon their learning experiences. The
fee in San Bernadino are proposed to be $10 for an unaltered cat,
$5 or an altered cat, and $5 for senior citizens. In two other
cit es, the fees are the same as the dog licensing fees, (Seal
Bea h and City of Alameda).
If
usi
a 2
prof
as I
dep(
spel
oorpark implemented a program using Dog license fee amounts,
g the current license rate for dogs at 2,409, and anticipating
% to 30% compliance rate in fiscal year 1993/94, the City could
ive a revenue of between $4,500 and $15,000 per year. As
osed, Animal Regulation would treat the cat licensing revenues
art of the total City revenue. Compliance (amount of revenues)
nds on many factors and may be increased if the City chooses to
d money on canvassing and public outreach.
The revenues anticipated from the program are contingent upon the
Cit 's ability to make owners aware of the program, and also to
ini iate some form of enforcement. A waiver of enforcement
mea ures can be given for the first part of the program, then
eas ng into a canvassing program after it is established. In San
Ber adino, they have waived all citations for one year.
Cur ently, the County has limited staff for canvassing, (1.5
off cers for the entire County). Canvassing is when an officer
goe door to door and identifies those animals without licenses and
req ests the owner's compliance. Based on feedback from Animal
Reg lation, canvassing does greatly increase compliance, and can be
use as a tool when compliance with leash laws decline, as they
hav in the past year. It is possible to request that a certain
per entage of the City's additional services officer, (8 hours per
wee l), be dedicated to canvassing. Another option for canvassing is
the concept of contract services, where the contractor retains 50%
of the revenue from the initial year. With annual renewals, this
typt of approach can pay for itself in the years to follow. This
year in Seal Beach, they saw compliance double from March to April
as a direct result of the canvassing effort.
The City has the latitude to address cat licensing in many
dif levenue. erent ways. Staff recommends a procedure similar to that being
con idered in the City of San Bernadino, because it has resulted
fro five years of citizen input, and seems to best balance the
imm diate and long term needs of the cat licensing program. If
ado ted on a unilateral basis, the citizens of Moorpark will be
abl to benefit from the improved care of the cat population, the
abi ity to more easily find lost cats, and the anticipated increase
in
If he Council chooses to move forward with this program, Moorpark
may assist other communities including the County, to move in the
sam direction using the City's ordinance as a model.
Thai
the City Council authorize staff to develop a cat licensing
Ord
nance and formal
plan of
implementing a cat licensing program,
by
ctober, 1993.
Att
chments: A)
Current
Dog License Requirement
B)
1991/92
Animal Regulation Statistics
C)
City of
San Bernadino Ordinance and Program
Summary
ATTACHMENT "A"
Sections:
6.16.010
6.16.020
6.16.030
6.16.040
6.16.050
6.16.060
6.16.070
6.16.080
6.16.090
6.16.100
6.16 .110
6.16.120
Chapter 6.16
DOG LICENSING
Required.
Application.
Licensing period.
Fee.
Exemption from fee.
Due date and penalties.
Tag -- Issuance.
Tag -- Exemption.
Tag -- Replacement.
Transferability.
Violation -- Penalty.
License inspectors.
6.16.010 Required. A. Every person who owns, harbors
or keeps any dog over the age of four (4) months for thirty
(30) days or longer shall obtain a current license and li-
cense tag issued under the provisions of this chapter and
stamped with the year in which such license was issued.
B. The license tag obtained shall be attached to a
substantial collar or harness which shall be worn by the dog
at all times except as provided in Section 6.16.080 of this
chapter.
C. Every person who violates any of the provisions of
this section is guilty of an infraction.
D. Any dog found without a current license tag or for
which there is no current license may be taken up and im-
pounded by the poundmaster or any peace officer. (Ord. 6
$5 (part) , 1983)
6.16.020 Application. A. The license and license tag
required by this chapter may be obtained by displaying an
acceptable rabies vaccination certificate, furnishing the
information required herein, and paying the proper fee to
the county animal control department. Such information
shall include the name, sex, breed, age and color of the dog
for which the application is made, and give the address and,
179
N
0
w
i
P
.16.030 -- 6.16.060
en available, the telephone number of the person owning,
rboring or keeping the dog. The official receiving such
formation shall record it on the receipt to be given for
yment of the license fee.
B. A rabies vaccination certificate, to be acceptable,
mlist show that the vaccination has at least one (1) year to
r n before its expiration date. A vaccination of the chick-
embryo type expires thirty (30) months after it is adminis-
t red and a vaccination of the nerve - tissue type expires
e ghteen (18) months after it is administered. The expira-
t on date of the rabies vaccination shall be recorded on the
r ceipt. (Ord. 6 55(part), 1983)
6.16.030 Licensing period. The license period for any
1 cense issued pursuant to this chapter shall be the period
o time specified on the license application pursuant to
w ich such license is issued. The license period specified
i any given license application shall be whatever period
t e poundmaster may select for that particular license ap-
p ication; provided, however, that such period shall not be
1 ss than one (1) year nor more than two (2) years from the
d to the license is issued; and provided further, that such
p riod shall not extend beyond the expiration date of the
a plicable rabies vaccination. A license shall expire, and
s ch license and corresponding license tag shall cease to be
c rrent, upon the expiration of the applicable license peri-
o (Ord. 6 55(part), 1983)
6.16.040 Fee. A. The fee for the license required by
tILiS chapter shall be as prescribed by resolution of the
board of supervisors.
B. The fee prescribed for a dog which has been spayed
or neutered, as verified by a veterinarian's certificate,
s all be not more than fifty percent (50 %) of the fee for a
d g of the same sex which has not been spayed or neutered.
( rd. 6 §5(part), 1983)
6.16.050 Exemption from fee. A dog license shall be
i sued free of charge in the following instances:
A. When the license is for a dog which will be used as
a guide dog for a blind person. An affidavit attesting to
t e fact that the dog will be used as a guide dog shall be
g ven to the official issuing the license.
B. When the license is for a dog which has been hon-
o ably discharged from the armed services of the United
S ates. Such discharge shall be established by showing the
o ficial issuing the license the discharge papers issued for
s ch dog. (Ord. 6 55(part), 1983)
6.16.060 Due date and penalties. A. The information
d fee required by this chapter are due on the thirtieth
0th) day after the day on which (1) the previous license,
I :1
a-
6.16.070 -- 6.16.090
f any, expires, (2) the dog is acquired by the person own -
ng, harboring or keeping it, (3) the dog is brought into
he county, or (4) the dog attains the age of four (4)
onths, whichever shall last occur.
B. Any person purchasing a license after the due date
hall pay, in addition to the license fee, a late license
enalty in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100 %) of
he license fee which would be applicable if the license
eriod were one (1) year, regardless of the actual license
eriod for which such license is issued. Such penalty shall
e in addition to any other penalty or sanction which may be
mposed pursuant to this title for failure to have a li-
ense. (Ord. 6 55(part), 1983)
6.16.070 Tag -- Issuance. A. Upon receipt of the
quired information, accompanied by payment of the proper
e and display of an acceptable rabies vaccination certifi-
cate, the dog shall be licensed, a written receipt shall be
sued to the applicant, and a metal license tag shall be
fled to the applicant's address. Each tag shall be se-
ally numbered and stamped with the words "Ventura County"
d shall be stamped with the year in which it is issued.
B. The animal control department shall maintain a re-
rd of the licenses so issued, which record shall be kept
1file in the office of the animal control department, open
reasonable public inspection, until the expiration of the
cense period for which such licenses are issued. (Ord. 6
(part), 1983)
6.16.080 Tag -- Exemption. The license tag need not be
w rn by the dog when the dog is:
A. Securely confined in a cage or vehicle; or
B. When the dog is within an enclosure sufficient to
s curely confine the dog to the premises of an animal
h spital, or a licensed dog kennel, or of a state chartered
b nevolent organization for the care of animals, or of the
p rson owning, harboring or controlling the dog; or
C. When the dog is participating in or training for
s orting events, field trials, obedience classes, dog shows
o herding livestock; provided such dog is not allowed to
r n at large. (Ord. 6 55(part), 1983)
6.16.090 Tag -- Replacement. If a license tag issued
u der the provisions of this title is lost, a duplicate tag
M y be obtained from the animal control department upon pay -
i g a fee in the amount prescribed by resolution of the
b and of supervisors and by either surrendering the receipt
o tained for the lost license tag or certifying under penal -
t of perjury that a tag was obtained and that the receipt
c nnot be found. (Ord. 6 55(part), 1983)
181
6.16400 -- 6.16.120
.16.100 Transferability. In the event that there is
a cha ge in ownership of a dog licensed pursuant hereto dur-
ing tie license period for which such license is issued, the
new owner may have the current license transferred to his
name apon payment of a transfer fee in the amount prescribed
by r olution of the board of supervisors and the surrender
of t e license receipt. (Ord. 6 55(part), 1983)
.16.110 Violation--Penalty. Every person who
countBrfeits a dog license tag, or who attaches a license
tag-issued under the provisions of this chapter to any dog
other than the one for which such tag was issued, or who
obtai s a dog license tag or dog kennel license and, in do-
ing so, states as true any material matter which he knows to
be fa se, is guilty of an infraction. (Ord. 6 §5(part),
1983)
.16.120 License inspectors. A. The Ventura County
anim control department may appoint animal license inspec-
tors or the purpose of inspecting animals required to be
lice ed hereunder to ascertain if such animals are properly
lice ed, issuing the licenses required hereunder, and col-
lect' g the required license fees.
Inspectors shall be compensated at the rate of fif-
ty ceats ($.50) for each license issued; however, no full -
time ity or county employee shall receive compensation for
the collection of dog license taxes.
Each inspector shall promptly account to the animal
control department for all funds collected pursuant hereto
and saall pay over such funds within forty -eight (48) hours
after their receipt.
D. The inspectors shall be paid for their services on
or about the fifth (5th) day of each month following the
rendition of such services. (Ord. 6 55(part), 1983)
COUNTY OF VENTURA
ANIMAL REGULATION DEPARTMENT
FISCAL REPORT 1991 -92
0
DESCRIPTION
--
JUL
- --
AUG
---
SEP
- --
OCT
- --
NOV
---
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
TOTAL
------ -- --
LIVE ANIMALS IMPOUNDED
2371
2338
2118
1863
1203
---
1020
- --
1017
---
1009
- --
1335
---
1494
- --
1886
- --
2102
- - - ---
19756
DEAD ANIMALS PICKED UP
376
382
387
363
302
313
337
316
313
401
370
400
4260
TOTAL DOGS HANDLED
945
862
769
870
619
685
607
617
775
702
744
744
- 8939
Reclaimed by Owner
224
16.0
185
240
171
200
180
170
234
177
172
150
2263
Adopted
Stolen /Escaped
163
3
218
0
166
0
164
0
147
1
187
0
152
0
165
1
169
0
177
0
163
0
145
0
2016
5 0�
Died
0
3
1
3
4
1
0
1
1
1
2
4
21
Destroyed
555
491
417
463
296
297
275
280
371
347
407
445
- 4634
DOGS IMPOUNDED
643
548
502
608
427
450
403
433
541
465
472
477
5969
Reclaimed by Owner
218
159
182
237
168
196
176
165
229
169
170
149
2218
Adopted
122
128
100
108
100
106
93
118
114
99
97
94
1279 W
Stolen /Escaped
3
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
5
Died
0
3
1
3
4
1
1
1
1
2
4
21
Destroyed
300
258
219
260
154
147
134
148
197
196
203
230
244
DOGS RELINQUISHED BY OWNER
302
314
267
262
192
235
204
184
234
237
272
267
2970
- Reclaimed
6
1
3
3
3
4
4
5
5
8
2
1
45
na Adopted
41
90
66
56
47
81
59
47
55
78
66
51
737
= Destroyed
255
223
198
203
142
150
141
132
174
151
204
215
2188
H
w TOTAL CATS HANDLED
1194
1307
1194
866
491
254
328
333
486
704
1053
1271
• 9481
Reclaimed by Owner
20
22
13
12
10
12
13
2
25
13
10
21
173
Adopted
148
153
129
126
113
93
100
91
103
137
148
137
1478
v Stolen /Escaped
15
6
6
6
0
0
2
3
2
6
2
5
53 I TT 1
H Died
4
11
5
8
2
3
1
4
4
8
9
7
66
Destroyed
1007
1115
1041
714
366
146
212
233
352
540
884
1101
• 7711
CATS IMPOUNDED
803
889
831
601
346
171
203
222
372
555
752
780
5525
Reclaimed by Owner
16
17
11
12
8
11
13
2
23
8
8
18
147
Adopted
Stolen /Escaped
100
15
105
6
93
6
96
6
77
0
57
48
2
52
3
68
2
90
6
100
2
112
5
998
53 1
Died
4
11
5
8
2
3
1
4
4
8
9
7
66
Destroyed
668
750
716
479
259
100
139
161
275
443
633
638
5261-
CATS RELINQUISHED BY OWNER
391
418
363
265
145
83
125
111
114
149
301
491
2956
Reclaimed
4
5
2
0
2
1
0
2
5
2
3
26
Adopted
48
48
36
30
36
36
52
39
35
47
48
25
480
Destroyed
339
365
325
235
107
46
73
72
77
97
251
463
2450
• - JUN129 -'93 TUE 13:53 ID: S. B.ANIMAL CONTROL TEL NO:714 -384 -5483 #697 P02
ATTACHMENT "C "- San Bernardino
CAT LIC9N8ING PROPOSAL
Th City of San Bernardino Animal Control Shelter cares for
th usands of stray, lost, and unwanted animals each year. More than
4C of the animals received are cats, yet the department receives
re enue only from dog licensing. As economic times worsen, the
sh lter finds it difficult to justify expending funds on cats when
th main source of income is from dogs. Meanwhile, citizens are
be ming less tolerant of increasing numbers of stray cats in their
ne hborhoods, and are screaming for mandatory regulations of cats.
owners demand that cat owners pay their fair share of the
bu an for Animal Control.
Th4 issue of licensing cats has increased greatly in the state in
thel past few years. Los Angeles and San Mateo counties, as well as
th aity of La Verne have recently enacted such ordinances.
Alt riough there are several positive health and safety aspects of
cat licensing, returning more cats to their owners and revenue
derived through licensing /redemption are even more important.
In he last three years, the shelter has impounded 37,301 live dogs
an cats - over 40% of the workload being cats. Of the 17,528 cats
in unded, only 28 .16% - have been returned to their owners. Had
mo cats been wearing identification, such as a license, more cats
cold have been returned to their owners.
The State of California Department of Health Services is presently
in the process of approving a state wide mandatory cat rabies
vac ination and licensing program. Should their proposal be enacted
pri r to this proposal, the city - and its residents - would be
bou d to the terms and conditions of the state regulations. The
proposed regulations do not contain certain "resident friendly"
con itions found in the Animal Advisory Commission's proposal.
On ebruary 23, 1993, the Animal Advisory Commission approved a
dra t ordinance (attached) requiring the licensing of cats in the
cit Vaccination of the cat against rabies is a prerequisite to
lic nsing. While the licensing of cats may still be a highly
emo Tonal subject with some cat owners, the Commission feels the
dra t ordinance resolves many of residents concerns surrounding
suc licensing. This proposed ordinance does not include any
pro isions for a leash law, nor does it restrict the number of cats
Pe itted.
Dur
war
liv
dur:
whip
tic
g the cat licensing public hearing in 1988, several points
made by a small number of cat owners (many of whom did not
in San Bernardino). The proposal approved by the Commission
goes those issues and provides a one year (from passage)
e period" to obtain a license. citations will not be issued
g the grace period. It also provides special accommodations
will make it easier for the cat owner to obtain their
QX
JUN 29 193 14:59 S.B.ANIMAL CONTROL P":;p M,�o
It
$=
it
'93 TUE 13:54 ID:S.B.RNIMRL CONTROL TEL NO:714- 384 -5483 #697 PO4
CAT LICBNeINa PEES AND REVENUES
recommended fees during the initial phrase of the program are:
Altered $ 5.00
Unaltered $ 10.00
Senior citizen (altered) $ 5.00
a projected the revenue the first year will be approximately
1000 (no active enforcement the first year). The second year,
ie expected to increase to $ 75,000, including revenue from
equent citations.
0
JUN 29 193 15 :00 S.B.ANIMAL cnNTRn POr= VnA
193 TUE 13:54 ID:S.B.ANIMAL CONTROL TEL NO:714 -384 -5483
#697 P03
issues presented and accommodations approved include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A cat wearing a collar will strangle itself.
Staff has talked to many veterinarians in the area. They
have been unable to locate a vet who has /had a client
whodo sat Was strangled in this 111d1�1.cc , i►vs ham AnInial
Control rescued cats (dead or alive) from hanging by
their.collars.
The commission has approved an alternative method of
identification for cat own *rs. The cat will be exempt
from wearing a collar and tag if the cat is implanted
with an InfoPet microchip at the shelter (or one of our
clinics) . Every animal arriving at the shelter - dead or
alive - will be scanned for the implant. Cats having
implants will be quickly reunited with their owners.
The identification, whether a tag or microchip, will
reduce the housing costs and increase revenue when the
cat is returned to its owner.
What about owners who do not have proof of sterilization
or rabies vaccination?
Owners who do not have a valid rabies vaccination
certificate may obtain a one year license during the
grace period without proof of vaccination. Subsequent
renewals will require a valid certificate.
Residents who do not have a certificates of sterility for
their cat may obtain an altered license during the grace
period by signing a statement indicating the surgery was
performed but a certificate was not issued or has been
misplaced. After the grace period has expired, proof of
sterility will be required to qualify for the reduced
fee.
Should the state regulations become effective prior to
the Commissions proposal, the city will not be able to
implement these accommodations.
You can't keep a cat confined.
This proposal is not a leash law, nor does it limit the
number of cats an owner may have, provided they are
licensed.
I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do (about cats).
No resident likes to hear this type of phrase. A
licensing ordinance will give the department an
"enforcement tool" to help those who have chronic cat
problems. The number of complaints that would normally
reach the Mayor and Council offices will be reduced
because there will be something Animal control can do.
�'y
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ORDINANCE NO.
#697 P05
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ADDING CHAPTER 6.25 TO
THE SAN BERNARDINO MUNICIPAL CODE REQUIRING THE LICENSING AND
RABIES VACCINATION OF CATS.
THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS#.
SECTION 1. Chapter 6.25 is added to the San Bernardino
Municipal Code to read as follows:
"Chapter 6.25
CATS
sections:
6.25.010 Definitions
6.25.020 License Required
6.25.030 License and Tag Required
6.25.040 License - Application
6.25.050 License - Issuance
6.25.051 Electronic Identification Allowed
6.25.170 Rabies Vaccination Requirement - Certificate
6.25.160 Vaccination Requirement
6.25.190 Exemption from Rabies Vaccination During
Illness
6.25.010 Definitions.
"Cat ", for the purpose of this chapter, shall mean any feline
four months of age or older.
"Owner ", for the purpose of this chapter, shall mean any
person keeping or harboring any cat for fifteen (15) days or
longer.
6.25.020 License Required.
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to
own,harbor, possess or keep, or have in his or her care, charge,
custody or control any cat within the City, except as provided in
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this chapter, without securing a license therefor, and maintaining
a tag thereon,as specified in this chapter.
6.25.030 License and Tag Required - Fees
A. Each person, firm or corporation within the city which
owns, harbors or has custody or control of a cat shall obtain an
annual license and tag for the cat. License fees are payable in
advance. If the appropriate fee is not paid when due, a
delinquency penalty shall be added to the fee. A fee shall be
charged for any additional tag issued to replace a lost, stolen,
misplaced or damaged tag. A fee shall be charged for the transfer
of ownership of a licensed cat to a new owner in lieu of a fee for
a new license which shall be valid for the remainder of a licensing
period in which the transfer occurs. If a cat has a current
license from another licensing jurisdiction and a current rabies
vaccination, said license shall be recognized by the City upon a
payment of a transfer fee.
B. If any person, firm or corporation acquires the ownership,
custody of control of a cat, the new owner shall obtain the license
required by this title within one month of acquiring the cat if the
cat is then of the age of four months, or within one month after
such cat attains the age of four months. The license shall expire
the same month as the expiration month of the rabies vaccination.
The first license fee for a cat may be pro -rated so to expire at
the same time as the rabies vaccination expires.
C. Monies received during the current year for a license shall
y
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be first applied to the payment of delinquent fees, sums and
penalties due during the preceding year, and any balance remaining
hereafter shall be applied to the payment of the current license
fees and penalties.
6.25.040 License - Application.
No license for a cat, as provided in this chapter, shall be
issued except upon an application to authorized agents and
employees of the City setting forth the name and address of the
owner, or possessor of the cat and a brief description of the cat.
6.25.050 License - Issuance.
Authorized employees and agents of the City, upon the receipt
of such application and the license fee, shall issue and deliver to
such owner or possessor a license certifying the payment of the
license fee, and setting forth the name and address of the
applicant, a brief description of the cat and the tag number
allotted to such cat. The tag shall at all times be affixed to the
collar, harness or other article worn by such cat, except as
provided in this chapter. No license for a cat shall be issued
unless the owner shall have paid the license tee required therefor
and shall have exhibited to authorized employees or agents of the
city a certificate of rabies vaccination of the cat signed by duly
licensed veterinarian.
6.25.051 Electronic and other Identification Allowed.
Cats with microchip implants (electronic identification) or
other forms of permanent identification approved and issued by the
department or its agent shall not be required to wear
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a collar and tag. All other licensing requirements of this chapter
shall apply to such cat.
6.25.170 Rabies Vaccination Required - Certificates.
A. Every person, firm or corporation who owns, harbors, keeps
or possesses, or has in his or her care, charge, custody or control
any oat four months of age or older shall cause such cat to be
vaccinated against rabies by or under the direction of any duly
licensed veterinarian, with a rabies vaccine approved by the State
Department of Health Services for use in cats. Such vaccinations
shall be repeated at intervals specified by the State Department of
Health Services in order to maintain adequate immunity. Compliance
with the rabies vaccination provisions shall be a condition to the
issuance or renewal of a cat license.
B. Each duly license veterinarian who vaccinates or causes or
directs to be vaccinated any animal with a rabies vaccine shall
complete and sign a rabies certificate in triplicate. The
veterinarian shall keep one copy and shall give one copy to the
owner or keeper of the vaccinated animal. The veterinarian shall
submit to Animal Control a legible copy of each certificate within
five days of the beginning of each month, for any animal so
vaccinated during the previous month.
6.25.180 vaccination Requirement.
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to own or
harbor any cat which has not been vaccinated as required by and in
the manner set forth in Section 6.25.170."
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6.25.190 Exemption for Rabies Vaccination During Illness.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a cat
need not be vaccinated for rabies during a illness if a licensed
veterinarian has examined the cat and certified in writing that
such vaccination should be postponed because of a specified
illness. old age, debility, and pregnancy are not considered
contraindications to rabies vaccination. Exemption certificates
are subject to approval of the Animal control Department and shall
be valid only for the duration of the illness. Exemption from
vaccination does not exempt the cat from the licensing
requirement."
SECTION 2.
"Notwithstanding any provision of Section 1 of this ordinance:
1. Citations for violations of Chapter 6.25 shall not be
issued prior to
2. Residents who do not have a certificate of sterility may
obtain an altered cat license by signing a statement
indicating that the surgery was performed but a
certificate was not issued by the veterinarian. on or
after , proof of sterility shall be
required to qualify for the reduced licensing fee.
3. Residents who do not have a rabies vaccination
certificate may obtain a one year license without proof
of vaccination until After
G
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a valid rabies vaccination certificate must be presented
in accordance with Sections 6.24.050 and 6.25.170.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted by
the Mayor and Common council of the City of San Bernardino at a
meeting thereof, held on the day
of , 1993, by the'following vote, to wit:
Council Members: AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
ESTRADA
REILLY
HERNANDEZ
MAUDSLEY
MINOR
POPE- LUDLAM
MILLER
RACHAEL CLARK
CITY CLERK
The foregoing ordinance is hereby approved this day
of , 1993.
W.R. HOLCOMB, Mayor
City of San Bernardino
Approved as to form
and legal content:
JAMES F. PENMAN
City Attorney
By:
O
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