A Little Tabby . . . |
Petaluma has a shameful secret: We
kill feral cats in Petaluma
No question asked --- No hesitation --- No other option We kill feral cats, period!  Note:
City of
Petaluma Council will make the decision soon about any changes to the
feral cat ordinance and the date will be posted here. My opinion
is that the whole feral cat section should be removed. There
should be a TNR program installed and restore volunteers rights to care
for these cats without fear of punishment.
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December 2007
| Where is
Petaluma,
California? Petaluma, California is located in beautiful Sonoma County, Prestine Wine Country God's Country, as Luther Burbank referred to Sonoma County 35 Miles north of San Francisco. Population: 59,600 |
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| To read the Petaluma Feral Cats Ordinance
click on the following link The Petaluma Feral Cats Ordinance
the Petaluma City Council in 2004) |
 We also do not tolerate bees within the City of Petaluma |
Another case of a flawed City of Petaluma Animal Ordinance affecting A family and their Potbellied Pigs. Please go sign their petition |
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Please go sign the Petaluma Feral Cats and Bees Petition
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Here is how this
ordinance was written and approved unanimously by the 2004 Petaluma
City Council:
City of Petaluma, California MEETING OF THE PETALUMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND THE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL PCDC/City Council Minutes Monday, May 17, 2004 – 3:00 P.M. Regular Meeting Introduction (First Reading) of Ordinance 2185 N.C.S. Amending the Petaluma Municipal Code, Title 9, Animal Regulations. (Bierman/Tavares) Animal Services Manager Nancee Tavares gave the staff report and urged Council’s approval of the recommended changes to the ordinance. She also noted the additional desire to have mandatory rabies vacations for cats included in the ordinance. Council discussion ensued regarding the prohibition of feeding animals in the park and the enforcement of restrained/tethered animals. Council Member Torliatt commented as the Council’s Liaison to the Animal Services Advisory Committee and indicated she would like the issue of mandatory vaccination of cats to come back to the Council sooner rather than later. Council Member Healy thanked Ms. Tavares for bringing this clean-up legislation forward. He clarified with her the number of feral cat colonies in the City and indicated he would support a ½ mile radius rather than a ¼ mile radius for the prohibition of feeding cats near the Petaluma Wetlands. MOTION to adopt the ordinance with the amendment to include that there be a ½ mile radius of the Petaluma Wetlands prohibiting feeding of feral cats. M/S Moynihan/Healy. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. June 14, 2004 Vol. 40, Page 109 City of Petaluma, California MEETING OF THE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL City Council Budget Workshop Minutes Monday, June 14, 2004 – 6:00 P.M. Special Meeting UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance 2185 N.C.S. Amending the Petaluma Municipal Code, Title 9, Animal Regulations. (Bierman/Tavares) This item was continued from the June7, 2004 City Council Meeting. City Council discussion ensued regarding whether this ordinance should be referred back to the Animal Services Advisory Committee for further review and input. Council Member Torliatt indicated she would rather see the portion regarding feral cats removed and referred back to the Advisory Committee and move forward with the remainder of the ordinance. City Attorney Rudnansky recommended removing the feral cat language, should the Council wish to, and reintroduce the ordinance, which would then come back at the next Council Meeting. The consensus of Council was to move forward with the consideration of the full ordinance this evening. Prior to the presentation, Vice Mayor Moynihan questioned the necessity for livestock permits. Council Member Torliatt also mentioned that when a permit is issued, a phone number should be requested also. Nancee Tavares, Animal Services Manager, gave an overview of the proposed ordinance and cited the difficulties in dealing with feral cats in public parks. PUBLIC INPUT: Kathy Sousa, Petaluma Animal Services, addressed the City Council as the Shelter Supervisor. She expressed concerns for feral cat colonies, including their safety and welfare. She stressed it is critical that the park site be monitored. Jane Baskin, Sonoma County Volunteer Board of Directors, addressed the City Council in opposition to the proposed restrictions to feral cat colonies. Jennifer Kirchner, Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County, addressed the City Council in opposition to the proposed ordinance. She asked how the City proposes to pay for enforcement of the ordinance. She also offered Trap and Return training and/or workshops to take place at Lucchesi Park. Council Member Torliatt questioned if workshops had been held thus far and expressed concerns with the current situation. Bob Dyer, Petaluma, addressed the City Council indicating he is a docent at Shollenberger Park and stated his support of the restrictions to protect the wetlands. Council Member Torliatt asked if the Feral Cat Committee had reviewed the entire ordinance and was told there were no objections. R. J. Kamprath, Pres., Pet Population Control Fund of Sonoma Valley, addressed the City Council in support of prevention and intervention as it relates to feral coats, but stated her opposition to the ordinance as written. Sheri Cardo, Petaluma, addressed the City Council indicating the proposed ordinance is seriously flawed. She indicated staff told her the ordinance would be a compromise from the Committee and it was not. She continued by commenting that the feral cal community had nothing to do with the drafting of the ordinance and that the proposed ordinance was misrepresented to them and to the Council. She urged the Council to remove the language referring to feral cats from the ordinance. Stan Gold, Petaluma, addressed the City Council noting feral cats are not a natural part of the environment. He indicated there should be heavy fines and stated his support for the ordinance. Dwayne Meredith, Petaluma Animal Services Officer, addressed the City Council supporting caretakers, but stressed there needs to be a balance. He indicated, unfortunately this has become a Forgotten Felines vs. city of Petaluma issue. He noted his support for the ordinance and indicated it would provide for the proper level of care for cats. City Council discussion ensued regarding the number of colonies in the city, locations of known colonies and relocations efforts. Victoria Evans, Petaluma, addressed the City Council in opposition to the ordinance and noted she has had numerous animals dumped onto her property. Victor Chechanover, Petaluma, addressed the City Council commenting on the bird issue resulting from the number of feral cats. He indicated irresponsible people won’t go away and urged the Council to support the ordinance. Ruth Feldman, Petaluma, addressed the City Council in support of the proposed expansion at the Petaluma Outlet Center. Gail Thompson, Petaluma, addressed the City Council indicating she had sent information on how to properly trap feral cats. Jolee Wiggins, Petaluma, addressed the City Council indicating she is the caretaker of the feral cats at Lucchesi Park. She noted she has trapped numerous cats at the park and removed them. She asked the Council to consider a “grandfather” clause and noted taking their food away would be cruel. She suggested a cat sanctuary be looked into. Council Member Healy questioned the budgetary impacts if the ordinance is adopted. He clarified with staff that there will be a meeting tomorrow of the Feral Cat committee and that they will be looking at educational opportunities. It was also noted that staff would be glad to research grants, but there just is not any extra money in the budget at this time. Vice Mayor Moynihan commented the removal of the feeding station in the park is the issue. Council Member Torliatt stated her support for the relocation of the feral cats at Lucchesi Park. She asked if the proposed ordinance could contain amended language to give the Animal Shelter manager the ability to work with Forgotten Felines to ensure relocation efforts are considered. Council Member Healy indicated the Council could give authority to grant a waiver and approve and direct staff to come back ni 3 to 6 months with any needed amendments for compliance. Council Member O’Brien agreed and indicated Council should adopt the ordinance as is and bring back any needed amendments at a later date. MOTION to adopt the ordinance as presented: M/S Healy and Moynihan. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. (City
of Petaluma killed nearly 600 cats the first nine months of 2007)
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More Information from
The
Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (PWA)
A Committee of Madrone Audubon Society of Sonoma County
May 17, 2004 -
PETALUMA PASSES NEW FERAL CAT ORDINANCE
A Committee of Madrone Audubon Society of Sonoma County
May 17, 2004 -
PETALUMA PASSES NEW FERAL CAT ORDINANCE
* * * * * * * * *
Petaluma Wetlands Alliance members Gerald
Moore and Bob Dyer serve on a "Feral Cat" Committee for
the City of Petaluma and drafted a Municipal Code ordinance on feral
cats.
Feral cats are a menace to park wildlife.
Here is the code changes passed by the City Council on May 17th.
Feral cats are a menace to park wildlife.
Here is the code changes passed by the City Council on May 17th.
9.14.110 Permit for Feral Cat Colony
| A. There
shall be no feeding of feral cats in or within one-half mile of the Petaluma Wetlands, located along the Petaluma River. The area covered by this section is bordered by the Petaluma River on the southwest, and Lakeville Highway to the north and east, from the Petaluma Marina to, and including the Petaluma Holding Ponds. There shall be no feeding of feral cats inside any city park, or within a block of any city park. Any existing feeding station in the prohibited areas shall be removed within 90 days |
Ordinance sections relating to the rules for feral cat colonies and feeding stations are not included here because of their length, but are available from Animal Services, 778-4396.
9.14.110
C. creates a one-half mile buffer zone around Shollenberger- Alman
Marsh, the newly acquired Grey property (southeast of the park) and the
Petaluma Holding Ponds. Also restricted is cat feeding within this
covered area. Park docents will monitor any known feeding stations to
ensure removal by the deadline.
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Click on the following link to
read the full ordinance
9.14.110 Permit for
Feral Cat Colony.8 9 A. Within six months of the adoption date of this ordinance, all caretakers of feral 10 cats in residential and commercial areas within the City limits are required to register 11 with Animal Services. A caretaker means any person or organization harboring or 12 having in his/her or its possession any feral cat that h/s or it has regularly fed for a period 13 of 30 days or more. Caretaker is required to submit written authorization from the owner 14 of the property where cats are fed and cared for. Caretaker is required to provide for 15 the sterilization of all cats and kittens, three-year vaccination against rabies, and one16 time testing for Feline FIV and Leukemia within one-month of cat entering colony. 17 Caretaker is required to transfer to the Petaluma Animal Shelter all tame cats within 18 one-week of entering colony. Caretaker shall provide cats with regular fresh food, 19 water and access to shelter and will maintain the area in a clean and sanitary way. 20 21 B. The caretaker shall not permit any feline under his/her care to permit such 22 animal to: 23 24 1. Damage property other than the property of owner or keeper; or 25 2. Cause an unsanitary, dangerous or unreasonably offensive condition. 26 27 C. There shall be no feeding of feral cats in or within one-half mile of the Petaluma 28 Wetlands, located along the Petaluma River. The area covered by this section is 29 ordered by the Petaluma River on the southwest, and Lakeville Highway to the north 30 and east, from the Petaluma Marina to, and including the Petaluma Holding Ponds. 31 There shall be no feeding of feral cats inside any City park, or within a block of any City 32 park. Any existing feeding station in the prohibited areas shall be removed within 90 33 days of the passage of this ordinance. 34 35 36 9.14.120 Required Records for Commercial Kennels, Catteries, Feral Cat 37 Colonies. 38 39 Every commercial kennel, cattery or feral cat colony pursuant to this 40 Chapter shall keep available, on the permitted premises, records available for 41 inspection by the Director. These records shall contain all of the following: 42 43 A. The name, current address, and telephone number of the owner/guardian of 44 each animal at the kennel or cattery. The name, current address, and telephone 45 number of the feral cat colony caretaker. 46 47 B. The date each animal entered the kennel, cattery or colony. C. The reason for each animal being at the kennel or cattery, such as for boarding, 2 sale, breeding or grooming. 3 4 D. A description of each animal at the kennel or cattery, including age, breed, sex 5 and color. 6 7 E. A current, valid rabies certificate for each animal over four months of age at the 8 kennel, cattery or colony. 9 10 F. A valid spay/neuter certificate for each cat over age four months in the colony. 11 12 9.12.130 Permit Fees. 13 Fees for the processing and investigation of permits issued pursuant to this 14 chapter shall be determined by City Council resolution. (City
of Petaluma killed nearly 600 cats the first nine months of 2007)
Go Sign the
Petition Here
E-mail or Phone Petaluma City Councilmembers Tell them we need to change the Petaluma feral cat ordinance NOW!
Please join us in support for Petaluma homeless and feral cats: Important meeting to attend: Date the ordinance will be reviewed will be posted here. Meanwhile, please continue to send your comments to the mayor and city councils. Thank you. |
What
is a feral cat? On May 12, 2007 I received an e-mail from Nathan regarding my feral cat project. My feral cat project began in 1988 and lasted about 10 years. It was posted on the Internet in 1992 and I still receive mail from people from all over the world. Most people are saddened by the Little Tabby story and 90% of the mail I get, people tell me they cry for the Little Tabby. Nathan was one of very few to question my integrity and he gave me the opportunity to voice my intolerance for people who feel no responsibility to animals. I am grateful for his question and I am proud of my reply. I think I clearly answered the definition of a feral cat. And Nathan clearly got the message. Here is his email to me and my reply: Nathan wrote:
I read
your website and I think
what you are doing is great. I can’t imagine me saying this
because I despise
cats, but I do not abuse them. The only problem I have is people
who treat
cats as if they are humans. The question I have…when was the last
time you gave food to a homeless man/woman/child. Every year
I give to the humane
society and I even stopped a friend of mine from poisoning stray
cats. However
it really bothers me when I visit people and they say something like
“you
can’t sit there…that’s where the cat sits”. I think one can be an
animal
lover but some can definitely go overboard. I really feel for
older women
(sometimes men) who have no one in their lives but cats. I like
to have
maybe a stray cat in the neighborhood to keep the rats and snakes
out…but
they multiply like rabbits. I think the overpopulation is
something that
will never get under control. No one cries for deer or other
animals that
are hunted down. It may be cruel the way they control the pet
population….but
how else are you going to do it? A stray cat doesn’t just walk up
to you
and let you pet it. What do you think?
Here is my answer to Nathan: Hi Nathan,
Thank
you Nathan!I wish I could change the things that need changing, but I am only one person and I cannot do it all. Last Monday I spoke at our local city council meeting about abuse of the elderly and I hope to make a difference for a large number of seniors and elderly. I paid the rent for someone who might have been evicted. I called and paid my plumber for the repair of a heater that had not been working for months and the elderly woman lived without heat in the middle of winter. I shop for toys and other type of things that I give to organizations at Christmas time. My cat project lasted at least ten years at the cost of thousands of $. And I am not a cat person, but abuse is abuse and it happens to the less able to help themselves. I don't give to homeless. I only give to those less able to help themselves and I seldom give to organizations or public officials because I want to know that my money helped someone. I never told anyone about giving $ to others because I don't want to embarrass them, but you asked. I am 72 and I still work full time and that is the reason I can help a little. I think it is admirable that you give to the humane society, but when was the last time you called them and asked them for help with the stray cats in your neighborhood? Did they do anything about it? What do I think about the cat overpopulation? It is human made problem and we should solve it. Not by shooting cats a couple times a year to control the population, but by passing laws to enforce spay and neuter. A feral cat is a descendent of a family pet. Feral cats should be trapped, spay/neutered, released and a person assigned to their well-being until they die a natural death. These cats are our failure to control the population. You cannot expect them to come at the vet's door and ask they by neutered, do you? They do what comes naturally and we are their keepers. We have a responsibility to them. Shooting cats is illegal and cruel and anyone doing that should be prosecuted. I hope I answered your question clearly enough. So, what are you going to do now? Call the humane society? Get in touch with your city officials? Good idea! You made some very good points about cats in your neighborhood. Imagine life without cats. Mice and rats would rule your house and your food. I think what we need is balance and only human have the brain to create balance. Thank you for writing. Elle Nathan's last message to me:
I will
respond more later but you really
put me in my place. And I thank you for it…because I deserve it. It’s your
life and obviously I don’t
have much of one if I’m criticizing someone I don’t know.
You can help Read: Little Tabby Story Then call or e-mail Petaluma City Council Members And Please go and sign the petition |
We need your help! Please Go Sign the Petition Here |
ORDINANCE NO. 2185 N.C.S. Introduced by Mike Healy Seconded by Bryant Moynihan AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA REPEALING IN ITS ENTIRETY THE EXISTING TITLE 9, “ANIMALS,” AND ADOPTING NEW TITLE 9, “ANIMAL REGULATIONS” The City of Petaluma Ordinance Bees and their Hives 9.08.030 Beehives and Swarms Prohibited. 41 42 It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain within the City limits any 43 swarm of bees or hive as defined in Section 9.04.020. The keeping or maintaining within 44 City limits of any swarm of bees or hive constitutes a public nuisance. Click on the following link to
read the full ordinance
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| All About Petaluma Petaluma Sandalwood Practical Links |
Where to . . . . in Petaluma My Rescued Kittens My Afghan Hounds Little Tabby Contact: elle@svn.net |
Please spread the Little Tabby's message
Right click on the banner or little tabby to save it and please link it
back to:
http://www.svn.net/elle/tabby.htm
elle@svn.net
Cat Rights
By the San Francisco Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Printed here with permission
|
The growing popularity of cats
as housepets has gone
hand-in-hand with increased efforts to legislate, regulate,
and even eradicate these animals from our midst. In light of this growing threat to cats' lives and welfare, we feel obligated to come forward and offer our perspective. The Cat Rights listed below represent the basic principles that have guided our efforts on behalf of cats. We hope everyone will listen to all sides, participate in the debate, and reach their own conclusions. The fate of millions of cats depends on it. 1. The Right to be recognized as a unique and important species. 2. The Right to have their individual lives cherished and protected. 3. The Right to be free from cruelty and abuse. 4. The Right to receive aid and comfort, including food, water, shelter, and medical care. 5. The Right to a fair share of public resources for the care and treatment of companion animals. 6. The Right to be treated as equal members of the animal kingdom. 7. The Right to be represented accurately and humanely by those who speak on their behalf. For a more detailed discussion of
each of these rights, please call The SF/SPCA Ethical Studies
Department at
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Other sites
By Marcelle Guy
| Elle on the Web Emergency Preparedness Don't leave your pets behind All About Petaluma Petaluma Sandalwood Estates |
Petaluma Feral Cats My Rescued Kittens A Little Tabby speaks for the feral cats of the world Trap Spay Neuter A Family Struggles to Keep their Pet Potbellied Pigs The Northern California Bulletin Board A voice for our companion animals |
Understanding
Repressed Memories Peace on Earth Gentle Hearts Gather (Coming soon) |
| I
wish to thank Silicon Valley North For hosting my site. |
Cretit Bee picture used with permission from Everything About |
© Web
Master
Marcelle E. Guy
Marcelle E. Guy
Contact:
elle@svn.net
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Note:
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This is a
personal website and the information published and opinions expressed
are those of the webmaster and provided by Elle on
the Web for your personal use.
Content subject to change without notice. © Marcelle Guy 2008 |
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