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County Administrator's Report 11. 2.

BCC Regular Meeting

Technical/Public Service Consent

Meeting Date:	07/10/2014
Issue: Schedule of a Public Hearing to Consider the Adoption of Community Cat Management Ordinance
From:	Marilyn Wesley
Department:	Community Affairs
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Scheduling of a Public Hearing to Consider the Adoption of an Ordinance Regarding Community Cat Management - Marilyn D. Wesley, Community Affairs Department Director

That the Board schedule a Public Hearing for July 24, 2014, at 5:33 p.m., to consider adoption of an Ordinance of the Escambia County Code of Ordinances, amending Volume 1, Chapter 10, Article 1, Section 10-3, to define “community cats,” creating Section 10-27, relating to feeding cats and dogs outdoors, and creating Section 10-28, authorizing a Community Cat Management Initiative and establishing community cat management requirements.

BACKGROUND:

A draft ordinance concerning a Community Cat Management Program was presented and discussed at the April 10, 2014, Committee of the Whole (COW). Following the COW meeting, staff received input from the Animal Services Advisory Committee (ASAC) and Target Zero Institute (TZI). The draft ordinance has since been amended to address concerns presented by those organizations. The current draft (attached) establishes criteria for feeding cats and dogs outdoors and sets requirements for managing community cats. The goal of the Community Cat Management initiative is to reduce the number of cats being euthanized at the Escambia County Animal Shelter each year.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

Community Cat Management is expected to reduce the number of cats that are euthanized annually, which will also reduce costs at the Escambia County Animal Shelter. The Animal Shelter currently euthanizes approximately 4,500 cats per year.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

This Ordinance was prepared by Kerra A. Smith, Assistant County Attorney.

PERSONNEL:

N/A

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

N/A

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

The Animal Services Division intends to work with the Pensacola Humane Society to transition cats into the Community Cat Management Program, pending adoption of the Ordinance.

Attachments
Community Cat Management Draft Ordinance