(A) A community cat provider, to receive exception under household limitations, must comply with the following:
(1) The community cat provider must be participating, or has participated, in a TNVR program to ensure all cats are sterilized and have been vaccinated against rabies.
(a) Free roaming cat(s) without acceptable identification which have been impounded or trapped in the community may be deemed a potential community cat by the Department based on age, health, and behavior. Such cats may be returned to the location found once altered, ear-tipped, and vaccinated.
(b) A cat identified as an existing community cat may be immediately returned to the location where it was found and exempted from the legal hold period.
(c) The Department shall coordinate with partnering animal welfare organizations and/or veterinarians to offer resource information for establishing opportunities for community cats, community cat providers, humane deterrents, and advice regarding community cat nuisances.
(d) A community cat provider shall comply with the following:
i. Confine free-roaming cats for and arrange for surgical sterilization, eat tipping, and vaccination for rabies by a licensed veterinarian.
ii. Seek veterinary care for or obtain assistance from an animal welfare organization, veterinarian, or the Department for community cats which appear to require medical attention for serious illness or injury.
iii. Make reasonable effort to work with the Department or designated animal welfare organization to resolve habitual nuisance complaints using humane deterrents.
(2) The community cat provider must have all cats within the colony spayed, neutered, and rabies vaccinated, within a timely period to prevent unwanted litters.
(3) The community cat provider will be required to keep the colony healthy. If a cat is to become sick or injured, the community cat provider will either need to have the cat treated by a veterinarian in a timely fashion or have the cat euthanized.
(B) It shall be unlawful to be a hinderance to any TNR efforts including but not limited to, vandalizing traps, releasing animals, removing established cats from colonies, feeding while trapping is in effect and moving traps without approval from shelter staff. Anyone found to be in violation will be imposed with a $200 fine per violation.
(Ord. 2019-03, passed 4-2-2019; Am. Ord. 2022- 10, passed 6-7-2022; Am. Ord. 2023-06, passed 7-3-2023)