HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 3.D-Memo 06/07/2004J
City of Petaluma, Callf6mia �
Memora�nde�.
Animal Services -- 840 Hopper Street, Petaluma, CA 94954
(707) 778=4396 Fax (707) 778.4397' E -mail' ntavaresUco.Petc lztrraa: ca. us
4 June 2004
TO: Mike Bierman City,Manager
Petaluma City Council
FROM: Nancee Tavares, Animal Services Manager
RE: Feral cat, eg'slation
Attached please find:
1. The American Veterinary Medical Association's Policy Statements regarding abandoned and
feral cats. l am proud to say that our new legislation is in keeping with the nation's largest
association of licensed veterinarians
2.The Humane Society of the United States Statement on Free - Roaming Cats. HSUS
recommends similar rules contained in our new legislation regarding feral cats, including rabies
vaccinations. HSUS also advocates mandatory cat licensing.
3. A model Statement. of Purpose regarding free =roaming, cats' from several Massachusetts animal
welfare organizations and the state's Department of Public Health, Department of Food and
Agriculture and the Bureau of Animal. Health.
4. A Fact Sheet compiled and copyrighted by Alley Cat Allies and presented by the Feral Cat
Coalition. Both groups support and protect feral cats. The fact sheet supports feline rabies
vaccinations.
The federal Centers, for Disease Control also recommends mandatory rabies vaccinations for
cats.
o .
A i r l "Cats
n L D
O P OSITIO
animals in. accordance with local and, state
positive.
UID EL ON ABA
_ . E -
ordinances.)
c. Sterilization (early age gonadec-
DONED AND FERAL:CATS (1996)
1. Theecolony should be restricted to
tomy if appropriate).
The AUMAencourages.andsupports
awell- defined relatively safearea and `noton
d. Animal "identification (car tipping,
actions t6l eliminate the problem of aban-
lands managed, for wildlife or other natural
microchips, or ear studs).
doned and /or feral cats. The actions by
resources (e,g. state parks,, wildlife refuges,
e. Adoption of new kittens, newcom-
humane, animal control, wildlife and public
etc.)
ers to the colony and all socialized adult cats
of
rssion of the landowner
with the goal of eventual elimination of the
beasa d impact abandoned /feral cats in-
shoal be:�btaine�
colony by attrition.
elude a combination of activities such. as
2. Primary came grvers,should register
6. A written program of education/
licensing requirements, discouraging .free
with'' local animal controltopreven tin terfer-
training should be provided forallcaregivers,
roaming cats, requiring rabies vaccinations
ence-withfllc colony_and to allow identif ca-
including uniform standards and procedures
for cat's, ;issuing citations for unvaccinated
tion of individual`members of the colony.
for colony maintenance, as well as public
aiiiinals, encouragingpennanentanimaliden-
3. There should be.a written protocol.
Health, occupational safety and environmen-
tification and encouraging sterilization.
and:matching record keeping system to en,
tal issues.
If local and state ordinances permit
sure daily care for the aniinals, including,
7. Signage should be provided indi-
abandoned and /or feral cats to be maintained
personnel scheduling; feeding (d'aytime
eating that animal abandonment is an infrac-
in "managed colonies" during an interim
only), watering sliel'ier maintenance;'health
tion, that abandoned cats maybe turned over
period the colony size can be reduced
monitoring and census taking.
to animal control, indicating the dates and
and eliminated by Attrition, ,,then,thefollow-
4. Maintenance of an ongoing:
times anirnals are tobe trapped, to ensure that .
ing minimum_ requirements shouldbe imple-
Healthcare program, which provides uni`ver --
own_ e_ d cats are kept inside at that time.
mented for the benefitof the anim_ als''andtle-
sai vaccinations, medicaland/orsur-gic_alCare
8. A resource, network for feral cat cafe
public health and welfare.
and parasite control.
givers, humane activists, veterinarians, pub -
(Abandoned and /or feral cats that are
5. 'Humane capture. to allow for:
lic health officials and animal control officers
not in "managed colonies" should be Te-
a. Healthexarniraton,
should be established to share information,
Is oved f fipm their'environmentaiid treated in
b Serologic screening testsforinfec-
perspectives and cooperative solutions to
e samemanneras other abandoned orstray
tious diseases; adoption or euthanasia, if
the root causes of animal abandonment.
� Clp�
1 ' 41A
�GF `� ell .
9 CT j URt� =
A
� f
t
ANIMAL TRANsPoRTAnON
o A "llAlunzinum Construction
e Lightweight
Chassis Mount & Slide -In Units
® Units for,Any
o Custom Built Units
J ackson reek IVI
anufacturing ,Inc.
• PO Box 37 o Dento
ac
n, NC 27239 ®Tel. ;(888) 221-7823 o Fax (336) 859 -4562
www.lacksoncreekmfg.com
NACA NEWS May /June 2004 Page 13
,�,�u �,�n I
:: ;r�
The Humane Society of the United States ;5 Page 1 of 3
f
HSUS Statement on Free- Roaming Cats
the Humane- Society of thes United States belie that every community has a legal and ethical responsibility to address
problems associated with ,free - roaming. domestic cats.
;Free - roaming cats —owned cats allowed to, go : outside as welli!as stray and feral cats --often are hit by cars or fall victim to
disease, starvation, poisons, attacks byother animals, :or mistreatment:by humans. Free - roaming cats also prey on small
mammals songbirds, and other wildlife; spread zoonotic diseases such as rabies; defecate on other people's property; and
cause car accidents among other. problems.
Want to learn 6nore?
When cats, animal care and control a en e S s ol c problems associated d with free= roaming Get the Pets for Life.e- newsletter.
developing pp P
g p y p health officials,
veterinarians, cat owners, and the public should recognize the following:
Enter e-mail
address: I
e Cats belong in'homes. cats deserve loving, permanent homes with submit
responsible caregivers who
keep catssafely confined and,meet their special
needs. Long -term soiutions developed to respond to cat- related conflic is
should foster the responsiblecaretaking of cats.
Cats elude °simple categorizations. Freeuroaming cats are often referred to:as either stray or feral, but these
designations do not reflect the many types of outdoor cats. Free- roaming can be owned cats who are allowed
to roam; owned cats who have; become lost;, previously owned'cats.who have been abandoned and no longer have
a home; quasi -owned catswha roam freely and are fed by several residents in -an area but "owned" by none of
them; and so- called wdrking scats who serve as "mousers." Almost every, community also has feral cats, unsocialized
cats who maybe one or more °generations removed from a home environment and who may subsist in a colony of
similar cats living on the fringes of human existence; Because -cats exhibit varying'degrees of sociability, even an
animal care and control professional'may notJrhmediately be able to'tell the difference between a feral cat and a
frightened indoor -only cat who has escaped and become lost.
1980s, and more an 60 million now live in tJ':S.:households. have been the nation's most popular pet since the mid-
e Cats.are not adequately rotecte&b laws.'Domestic cats
laws and policies developed to protect and control
cats have not kept pace -with:their status.as America's preferred pet. Few communities, for example, register or
license cats or require that they be confined or supervised when outdoors Fewer still regulate feral cats.
Comprehensive Cat Control Programs
Historically,, communities have responded; to cat - related conflicts by using that rarely provide long -term solutions.
For example, traditional programs to reduce feral cat populations include either live- trapping and euthanizing cats or live -
trapping, sterilizing, and releasing cats so that 1heycannot reproduce. Neither approach, however, provides a long -term
solution unless carried out in conjunction with a comprehensive cat control program:: Moreover, these approaches are labor -
and cost - intensive and may alienate feral cat caregivers orresidents notwilhng °to tolerate free - roaming cats in their
neighborhoods.
The HSU$ believes that communities must develop, implement, regularly evaluate, and update comprehensive laws,
policies, and education;,programs about cats..and catcare. These must be ' pragmatic approaches.designed to reduce cats'
suffering and also respond to cat - related conflicts, yet remain acceptableto people in•the'community.
Local governments must adequately fund,animal care and control programs and enforce cat control ordinances, using
general revenues as well!,as onies!collected through licensing and 'user fees': Sufficient funds musfbe,allocated to
implement prevention; programs; hire and train staff; construct or renovate animal- holding , faciliti'es; and purchase and
maintain equipment to handle, °house, and care for cats.
The HSUS believes °that community cat care and control programs should include the:following:
• Mandatory registration or licensing of cats. If a fee is charged, it should be higher for unsterilized cats than sterilized
• cats (a concept termed "differential licensing ").
• Mandatory identification cats. In addition to requiring that cats ,wear;collars and tags, communities should consider
implementing a back -up permanent identification system such as microchips.
http,://Www,,hsus.org/4QQ/Arti'cle'Ptinter Friendly ?Content I{D= 118587 5/29/2004
The;Humane Society of the United States Page 2 of 3
®' Mandatory rabies vaccinations for all cats more than three months of age.
® Mandatory sterilization of !all catsladopted from public and private animal shelters and rescue groups.
Mandatory sterilization of °all free - roaming cats.
o A mandatory - minimum shelter holding period for stray consistent with that established for stray dogs. This
policy should allow foreuthanasia ,of suffering animals prior to completion of, the holding period.
o Adequate and appropriatershelter holding space, staffing, and other resources necessary -to hold stray felines for the
mandatory minimum holding period.
® An ongoing public educationprogram that promotes responsible cat care.
o Subsidized sterilization services 10 - encourage ,cat owners to sterilize-theiranimals.
Trap- Remove - Evaluate Programs
The HSUS recognizes that„ in.many 'instances, free - roaming cats must be live-trapped-and, after completion of the
mandatory holding period, evaluated for adoption orreuthanasia. The HSUS believes that any individual or group that
initiates a trap- remove- evaluate, program should:
• Before trapping, place.trapping- notification signs in the area and distribute informational leaflets to residents to give
owners of outdoor cats a reasonable amount of'time to safely confine their cats. Signs and leaflets should also
educate readers about abandonment laws and restrictions on feeding unowned cats.
• Schedule several days for live- trapping and follow humane trapping guidelines. Ensure that traps are checked
frequently (ideally every two to three hours, fat °a minimum every eight hours) so that captured animals may be
transported quickly.
• Carefully evaluate captured cats to•ascertain whether they are.owned °or possible candidates for adoption. Give
them a' "calm- down" period to help distinguish between cats who are simply frig_ htened or stressed and those who
are truly unsocialized.
• Survey the area regularly to ensure that all cats have been captured Retrap if necessary.
TTVARM Programs
In recent years, traditional trap, sterilize and release programs have�been supplanted by more responsibly managed
programs that trap, test; vaccinate, alter " rel and monitor ( TTVARM) free- roaming cats. The goal of any TTVARM
program should. be to stabilize'and eventually, eliminate the colony through attrition. If a community's, animal care and control
agency orothergroup chooses to participate in TTVARM programs in cooperation with feral cat caregivers, it should:
o Make sure thatferal cat colony maintenance programs are consistent with cat- related laws such as mandatory
shelter periodsJor stray animals and ordinances prohibiting cats from roaming at large.
o Register caregivers who; are willing to devote:the time and resources necessary to fulfill program goals. In
cooperation with caregivers, develop ;uniform guidelines covering colony care and maintenance, spaying and
neutering, fealth.monitoring, census - taking, and related topics.
o Assess each area to determine whether a colony can be safely, maintained. For example, colonies should not be
maintained "near roads with heavy traffic or in areas with extreme weather conditions and insufficient shelter.
o Assess the. impact °of feral cats on local wildlife populations before deciding °whether to return the animals to an area.
• Cat colonies should never be maintained on lands managed for wildlife (such as wildlife sanctuaries).
o Secure the permission of landowners and residents to maintain feral cat.populations on their property.
http / /ww,w.hsus org/ace/Art-icl'e,. Printer Friendly ?Content, ID =1 1 5/29/2004
A m v�- S,5 V1, p
Mgt
Subnuftedby Lorraine Mou le; OVA CA.
resident Thissiatement was composed'by
,the Massachusetts Animal Coalition Inc.
comprised, of the Massachusetts SPCA,
Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society;
Massachusetts Humane Coalition, Animal
Advocates (N. Dartmouth), Animal Rescue
League of Boston, Animal Control Officers
Association of Massachusetts, Massachu=
seits:Departmenfof Public Health, and the
Massachusetts Deparinzent of Food an_ d
Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Health.
Statement of Purpose From time to
time, conflicts have arisen between public
and animal health officials and'people caring
for°feral cats. One of theprinciple conflicts',
relates to rabies prevention and control. The
purpose of this document is to recoimmnd
practices that address concerns about rabies
and themanagement of acolony of feral cats..
A committee of the Massachusetts'Animal
Coalition, Inc. created this doc nnentwith the
goal of developing consensus about these
practices. Input and review was provide , by
feralcatcaregivers, veterinarians, animalcon-
ANYWHERE
IN THE
U.S.A.
DOOR
4' /n" x 11� ,HANGER
trolofficers, animal protection organizations,
and Massachusetts public and animal health
Officials.
Like many state's 1Vlassachusetts'�has
a large population of outdoor, free- roaming
cats perhaps' as many as one =half to one
million. Besides risks to their own welfare, the
presence of outdoor cats can be a concern for
the: safety of other animals or people. Al-
'though it is a laudable goal to have all. cats
livingsagelyand confined with theirbuman
caregivers; this situation isn't always fea-
sible with regard to unsocialized cats, also
known as feral cats.
Communitiescand individuals reaci'to
thepresence of feral cats in one of the.follow-
mb ways:
1. Leave the cats, atone —,If left alone,
feral cats:can suffer from weather extremes,
nutritional deficiency, disease, and trauma,
Iii addition, cats are prolific breeders and
uncontrolled .populations of `feral cats can
growrapidly:
2. Capture and removal — This option
requi res'asignificanteffortio trap allahe cats
iii the group..Butbecause adult feral cats are
('with some exceptions) virtually unadopt-
'able as companion animals,' this approach
usually means that all the captured cats will
.be euthanized. The subsequent removal of
all`existing food sources fromanarea canhelp
eliminate future populations of feral cats.
3. Management and maintenance.ofa
feral cat colony an individual cat) inthe
existing outdoor environment- This approach
also requires a significant and ongoing ef-
fort. It includes humanely trapping,and seer-
ilizing,all thecats in acolony,'noculating the
cats against rabies, feeding the cats each
clay, providing them with access to,shelter
and addressing medical needs that might
arise. Many individuals and animal rescue
groups have proven the potential effective-
ness of this approach.
The ,practice of humanely managing
feral,cat`colonies has raised`some public and
animal health issue, especially with retard to
rabies. To address this specifioconcern,,the
established so that the cats are fed at a set
location at a set time, with uneaten food being
removed within a short time of presentation.
This is done to minimize contact with other
cats and/or wild animals and to reduce the
risk of rabies forthe cats and their caregivers.
4. Accurate written medical records
mustbe maintained on all cats in the colony.
These records should contain physical de-
scriptions and/or photographs of each cat so
thatcaretakers can recognizda cat and deter -
mine its vaccination status. Inaddition, some
type of visual ideritification such as ear tip -
pine or notching (performed on the cats by
veterinarians) is encouraged so that
caregivers can ascertain from a distance
Whether a cat has been sterilized.
5. if any cat in the colony has direct
.exposure to a suspicious skunk, raccoon, fox,
bat or other possible rabies vector, the inci-
dent must be reported the animal health au-
thorities and appropriate actions as recom-
mended or "required by animal health officials
.must be followed.
6. As new cats arrive, they should be
Humanely trapped, receive a rabies vaccina-
tion; and be sterilized if they are to be returned
to the colony.
7. No cat should.be relocated unless it
has been vaccinated for rabies. (Relocation
`of ferals is a complex issue. Beforeconsider-
ing, there are other important animal health
and community issues that should be ad-
dressed.)
8. Managers of feral cat colonies must
cooperate with public health officials if some-
one is bitten or scratched by a cat in the
colony.
'9. Managers, of feral cat, colonies are
encouraged to maintain colonies in places
away from°schoots, parks.or.other places that
arefrequently visited by children.
These guidelines are meant to address
public health concerns about rabies only.
Individuals or animal rescue groups consid-
ermg feral cat colony management are en-
couraged to speak with animal Health and
welfare professionals to determine what other
important issues should be addressed.
Cooperation and coimnunication are
key ingredients to resolving complex com-
munity animal issues. The Massachusetts
Animal Coalition, Inc. encourages the devel-
opment of cooperative working relationships
between municipal agencies and interested
citizens and animal groups.
NACA, NEWS May /hme 2004 Page 8
A'ACA NEWS MayiJune 2004 Page. 7
Rabies and Feral Cats
+ �n
Rabies,and Veral Cats
Facts and Control
Page 1 6t'
This document is a Fact Sheet °compiled and copyrighted by Alley Cat Allies. They are at P.O. Box 397,
Mount Rainier, MD 20712. It is presented here by the Feral Cat Coalition for informational purposes.
There may be individual items or- procedures that differ slightly between the FCC and ACA. Our goals,
however, are the same.
Much of the U.S. is.currently experiencing a wildlife rabies epidemic. Wildlife managers, animal control
animal commu gencies and the am p face: important decisions on how best to control this
'
disease. Feral cats are all too often caught.in the middle of misguided' efforts to protect -human health by
exterminating wild, feral, and stray animals. These efforts are not only cruel, but ineffective, costly, and
difficult to implement.
Alley Cat Allies promotes compassionate non- lethal solutions to problems resulting from
human/wildlife interactions. Scientific'.eyidence from around the world confirms the long term viability
of non- lethal population and disease control through sterilization, birth control and oral vaccination of
wildlife. These methods represent an effective and humane approach to the rabies epidemic.
Rabies and Humans
Rabies is an acute viral infection of the central nervous system:. Of all the zoonotic diseases,(1) it
is one of the most feared and misunderstood even though its threat to humans in the U.S. is very
small. Left untreated.,' rabies is deadly, producing excruciatingly painful symptoms and usually
fatal. Media accounts also tend to sensationalize and reinforce popular misconceptions. Much
unnecessary anxiety and fear could be,relieved by understanding that rabies in the U.S. is
primarily a disease of wildlife, which can be controlled, and its threat humans and companion
animals minimized.
Most cases are transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. All animal bites should be
immediately flushed, and cleansed with soap and; water, then given prompt medical attention.
Rabies is treatable when caught early, before symptoms appear. Exposure risk can be further
minimized by following a few simple precautions.
Rabies and Wildlife
Rabies has been a part of wildlife ecology since prehistoric times and is present throughout the
world with °the exception of Antarctica, Australia, ; and islands such. as Britain and Hawaii where
y
strict quarantine measures' are enforced. Mostl a dise ase of carnivores, the primary carriers in the
U.S. are raccoons, foxes skunks, coyotes, and bats. Infection is rare in rodent populations. While
dogs and cats are.susceptible cattle and horses represent the most frequently infected domestic
Within wildlife populations the disease usually follows a self limiting:pattern. The outbreak
epizootic (epidemic) is characterized by 'a peak which stabilizes and then declines over an
approximately five year cycle. Increased population immunity follows infection, thus limiting
further outbreaks.
During the disease's progression. infected animals exhibit' behavioral changes such as restlessness,
excitability, and severe aggression, often biting any approaching animal or human. Wildlife seen
p 6/4/2004
htt L /www.feralcat corn/,acarafc.html
Rabies and Feral Cats
1.
Page "2 of 4:
during; the, day in unlikely locations seemingly unafraid of humans, or displaying strange behavior
sh ac k awa y and immediatel report the incident to, l ould be suspected of'being rabid. Do not attempt to approach or handle these animals. Carefully
b y p ocal animal control - authorities.
In 1992, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,reported over 8,000 cases of rabies in
..animals, an increase. of 64% over 1990`. Five regional epizootics have been identified in
California, north and south central, mid- Atlantic,, and southeastern states. New York reported the
highest number of'cases, while Oregon and Connecticut each had increases of 500 %. In 1991,
there were 15 5 reported cases in dogs °and 189. in cats. Despite the large . increase in animal cases,
only three human deaths could be attributed to rabies.(3)
Current responses to the disease in the U.S. have focused on the role of hunters and trappers trying
to reduce those vector species (foxes, skunks, raccoons) • most-responsible for spreading the
disease. This effort has proven totally ineffective, hastening the spread of the disease by removing
healthy animals and thus :opening territorial "vacuums." The mid- Atlantic epidemic was actually
caused by hunters bringing infected raccoons into region from Florda.(4)
Non - Lethal Solutions Applied in Europe
In western Europe a very, successful oral vaccine, developed in the U.S., has proven an effective,
economical, and humane ,rabies control. Wildlife vaccination via food baits has blocked the spread
of the disease and prevented small outbreaks from becoming major epidemics by maintaining
healthy populations of key'vector species as an `'immune barrier." Newly developed vaccines
placed in baits insure very high immunization rates and have further increased effectiveness.
Laboratory and field tests on over 40 species of animals have demonstrated the vaccines' safety.
•
Solutions for the U.S.: Killing the Disease, Not the Animals
While wildlife rabies is a serious problem, it can be controlled and its threat to human health
minimized. Local, state and Federal agencies responsible for wildlife management and public
health have been reluctant to'recogn ze or adopt non- lethal disease control alternatives. This
inaction has resulted in,the spread of rabies, the deaths of countless animals, and a needless risk to
human health.
The Wistar Institute, one of the nation's premier rabies research'facilities, has conducted
successful American field trials on the oral V -RG vaccine. Vaccine'laced baits have reduced the
number of animals susceptible to rabies and thereby the risk to the general public. By targeting
primary vector species (raccoons and skunks), such "programs can be crucial in controlling the
current rabies epidemic. Once thevaccine is licensed:.for use:in the U.S., wildlife management,
animal control, and, public: health, authorities must.be; encouraged to begin widespread..inoculation
programs similar to those' which have been successful in Europe.
u
Feral Cats and Rabies
Although not natural vectors of rabies, feral cats can become exposed to the virus by attacks from
infected wildlife. Since ferals often live in close proximity both humans and wildlife, animal
control authorities.may, try to eliminate whole colonies in an ill- conceived effort to control the
disease and protectlurnan health. These efforts are bound; to fail,. as some cats always escape and
begin their breeding process again. Even if whole colonies are destroyed, other cats soon move in
to fill .the vacated territory.(5) .:
Although killing any suspicious stray or feral animals has been.repeatedly proven ineffective,
until effective solutions are applied feral cats remain vulnerable to lethal control programs. The
best means to protect both feral cats and human health is through widespread implementation of
the oral wildlife vaccine. This solution requires legislators; regulatory agencies, wildlife
http : / /www.feraleat corn/acarlafc..,htm'l
6/4/2004