§ 4-22. Limit on number of dogs and cats.

(a)

No more than five (5) dogs and cats, and no more than three (3) of this number being dogs, shall be kept at any individual, commercial, industrial or residential unit within the city.

(b)

The limitation on the number of cats owned, kept, held, or harbored shall not apply to caretakers of feral cat colonies that have registered such colony with an appropriate sponsor. Registration shall include name and address of the caretaker(s), and the location of the colony. A feral cat colony may be registered when the volunteer caretaker can assure that:

(1)

Regular feeding of the colony will be maintained throughout the year. Animals within the colony must be fed on the property of the colony sponsor or caretaker.

(2)

Adult cats and kittens that can be captured will be neutered or spayed and vaccinated against rabies.

(3)

Every attempt will be made to remove kittens from the colony before they reach the age of eight (8) weeks for domestication and placement.

(4)

Sick or injured cats will be removed from the colony for immediate veterinarian care or humane euthanasia.

(c)

Feral cat colonies shall be permitted and feral cat caretakers shall be allowed to maintain and care for feral cats by providing food, water, shelter, and other forms of sustenance provided that the feral colonies are registered with an appropriate sponsor.

(d)

Any person or entity owning more than the number of animals allowed by this section as of the effective date of this section shall be allowed to keep possession of all animals owned as of such effective date. The ownership of dogs and cats shall be determined by licenses for dogs or cats kept by any such entity within the city.

(e)

Feral cat caretaker responsibilities: In order to be approved and operate as a managed feral cat caretaker, said caretakers shall be responsible for the following:

(1)

Registering the colony with an appropriate sponsor.

(2)

Taking all appropriate and available steps to vaccinate the colony population for rabies and making a reasonable effort to update the vaccinations on cats that can be recaptured.

(3)

Taking all appropriate and available steps to have the colony population spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian with a goal of at least eighty (80) percent of the colony population altered.

(4)

Eartipping the left ear of a colony cat that has been vaccinated and spayed or neutered so that the colony cats can be readily identified from a distance.

(5)

Keeping records of all cats in colony including, physical descriptions and providing the sponsor with evidence of that cats have been vaccinated and spayed/neutered. These records must be provided to an appropriate sponsor at least quarterly.

(6)

Providing on a consistent basis food, water and if feasible, sufficient shelter for the colony.

(7)

Obtaining proper medical attention for any colony cat that appears to require it.

(8)

Regularly monitoring the colony to identify new arrivals and record illnesses or behavior changes of any cat in the colony.

(Ord. No. 6471, §§ 1, 2, 1-12-93; Ord. No. 10-30, § IV, 8-10-10; Ord. No. 17-20, § 1, 6-13-17)