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Attachment 3From: Cicirelli, Jon[mailto:Jon.Cicirelli@sanjoseca.gov] Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2018 1:41 PM To: Rob Rennie; Town Manager; Laurel Prevetti Subject: Animal Ordinance Importance: High Dear Mayor Rennie and Town Manager Prevetti, I hope you are both well. As you are aware, the City of San Jose has been providing animal control services to your Town for the last 14 years or so. We have enjoyed a cooperative and professional relationship with your staff, residents, and Town. I'm writing today because on Monday I learned, from a local animal rescuer, that there were proposed changes to your animal laws. I independently confirmed this through our Captain today, who spoke with an attorney of yours. I fully support updating animal codes from time to time. However, I was disappointed to find out that there has already been a first reading and as the professional staff that provides these services to your Town we were never consulted or even notified. There are many changes throughout the animals codes, which comprise around 40 pages of law. I am sure the attorney(s) that drafted these changes are professional and competent, however, animal law is not something that is always simple or black and white and it is unlikely they have any actual experience enforcing or writing such laws. I appreciate the staff time and effort that must have gone into writing so many changes, and the time it took to get to this point. I am respectfully asking that you table this conversation and decision. I would like you to direct your staff to meet with me and my staff to review these extensive changes so that we may provide our professional opinions and comments/suggestions. I would also highly recommend your staff conduct a public community meeting to invite local interested residents and animal advocates to comment on your proposals, prior to taking any additional legislative action. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to your response. Sincerely, Jon Cicirelli Assistant Director Public Works Director Animal Care and Services San Jose, CA www.sanjoseca.gov www.sanjoseanimals.com 3 • From: Cicirelli, Jon <Jon.Cicirelli@sanjoseca.gov> Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2018 9:44 AM To: Laurel Prevetti Cc: Rob Rennie; Robert Schultz; Lynne Lampros Subject: RE: Animal Ordinance Thank you for your quick response Laurel. I checked with our Captain and you are right, he was provided a copy ahead of the hearing. He does not have experience in writing Municipal Codes and, frankly, dropped the ball and failed to notify me. That is our mistake and I truly apologize, we have no excuse. The first I saw of any of this was this week. I am hoping we can avoid compounding our initial mistake. I appreciate that the impetus for the changes may have been issues with an individual or small number of people feeding cats and creating a nuisance and attracting wildlife. However, in briefly examining the changes proposed, there are numerous changes throughout the code, and are not limited to this feeding issue. I have more than two decades experience writing local municipal code in animal welfare, I've written State laws, testified at hearings as an expert, and lectured at national conferences about it. More than a decade ago I re -wrote San Jose's animal laws, and right now I am in the middle of re -writing them again to reflect modern techniques and lessons learned. Since you mentioned the feeding issue, I looked at that section specifically. It is common in animal law to think that banning or limiting certain things is effective at preventing them. As an example, most jurisdictions have animal limit laws. Do they deter animal hoarders? No. Do feeding bans deter cat feeders? No. I would urge you to ask your staff to identify any jurisdiction where a feeding ban has ever quantifiably worked. Actually, feeding bans like the one you have proposed are not common. There's a reason for that. I am out of state and on vacation, so can't really do any serious analysis but here's just one quick example of where the proposed ordinance is problematic: • The proposed definition of "feral animal" includes any "stray" domestic animal. That means if your dog gets loose it is considered feral, because it is a stray. It also includes any "wild" domestic animal, which is a contradiction in terms. A wild animal is not domesticated. There can be a domestic animal that is not socialized to humans, but calling it wild does not change it's biology. It is still genetically a domesticated animal. The use of "wild" in a definition like this is ambiguous and should be avoided when referring to a domestic animal, regardless of that animals perceived temperament. I am happy to work with Ms. Lampros on reviewing these changes, and while I appreciate the offer to submit comments like any other member of the public, I am again requesting that you consider pausing the process to allow thorough review by an animal welfare/control professional. I do not get back until next week, I am only in town for two weeks before I must leave again, and given the amount of changes proposed, I would not be able to provide a proper review that quickly. I am not aware of any need for urgency to get this passed on the 7`h, nothing will change and no serious harm will come if the process is delayed, or restarted. I would like to avoid putting your Town Council in the uncomfortable position of having me critique your proposed changes publically and would prefer we work it out behind the scenes. ATTACHMENT 3 i I hope you are both well. As you are aware, the City of San Jose has been providing animal control services to your Town for the last 14 years or so. We have enjoyed a cooperative and professional relationship with your staff, residents, and Town. I'm writing today because on Monday I learned, from a local animal rescuer, that there were proposed changes to your animal laws. I independently confirmed this through our Captain today, who spoke with an attorney of yours. I fully support updating animal codes from time to time. However, I was disappointed to find out that there has already been a first reading and as the professional staff that provides these services to your Town we were never consulted or even notified. There are many changes throughout the animals codes, which comprise around 40 pages of law. I am sure the attorney(s) that drafted these changes are professional and competent, however, animal law is not something that is always simple or black and white and it is unlikely they have any actual experience enforcing or writing such laws. I appreciate the staff time and effort that must have gone into writing so many changes, and the time it took to get to this point. I am respectfully asking that you table this conversation and decision. I would like you to direct your staff to meet with me and my staff to review these extensive changes so that we may provide our professional opinions and comments/suggestions. I would also highly recommend your staff conduct a public community meeting to invite local interested residents and animal advocates to comment on your proposals, prior to taking any additional legislative action. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to your response. Sincerely, Jon Cicirelli Assistant Director Public Works Director Animal Care and Services San Jose, CA www.sanjoseca.gov www.sanjoseanimals.com 2 From: Cicirelli, Jon <Jon.Cicirelli@sanjoseca.gov> Sent: Monday, July 30, 2018 2:40 PM To: Laurel Prevetti; Lynne Lampros; Robert Schultz Subject: LG Ordinances Attachments: Final Animal Ordinance July 13-jc[2345].doc Hi All, Thanks again for giving me some extra time to review the proposed changes. The attached document has my suggestions/comments. General Comments It is always good to review these codes periodically. I noticed there were some changes that looked like they were adapted from SJ codes. I haven't done a comprehensive review of those codes in more than 10 years. A lot has changed in animal welfare in the last decade, and I am in the middle of a comprehensive review of the SJ codes. I mainly limited my comments/suggestions to areas that were changed. If I happened to notice that there was something in another section that I thought you would want changed, I made a comment/suggestion about it, but I did not closely review sections that weren't changed. Dangerous Dogs: The changes that have been proposed definitely reflect an upgrade, but there is more that can be done. I'm just not sure the incidence of these situations in LG merit the additional work. However, I would be willing to help do something more comprehensive and detailed if wanted. Otherwise, I've provided comment/suggestions on what is proposed. Animal Care Standards: There is a new section dedicated to this and it appears adapted partly from Si codes. The strength in these laws are in the definitions of the various terms used. I would recommend a bit more work on this and the definitions to help clarify intent and expectations. Feeding Ban: General or broad bans like this have not worked when they've been tried. They are typically in response to a few bad actors, but criminalize most other people who aren't causing problems, and those other people may in fact be helping with outdoor cat problems. Survey data (in our County) shows 1 in 4 (maybe more) households feed animals (mostly cats or their dog) outside. You don't see it because it happens in back yards or out of view from the street. It doesn't usually create a problem, and it is most common on private property. Below is a link to a recent example of a bay area city that tried a feeding ban but has had to make adjustments once they realized it was unenforceable and not working. https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2015/11/11/antioch-council-formalizes-compromise-with-feral-cat-feeders/ I think the question that needs to be asked is: what problem are you trying to solve by enacting a feeding ban? From the staff report, there are a few residents who worry that feeding cats in a few isolated areas is attracting wildlife. Attracting wildlife is different from feeding hungry cats. Your residents will continue to feed their pets outside, or a local stray cat (s), regardless of what law you pass. People who are persistent about recklessly feeding groups of cats outside tend to exhibit the same compulsive behaviors as hoarders. In both cases, recidivism rates are basically 100%. They just change their patterns, time of day/night, and work around our schedules. Proper feeding of pets, or local stray cats, can be done without attracting wildlife and the nuisances that it can create. As I mention in the proposed ordinance, state law already prohibits feeding wildlife. I think there are better ways to approach this issue. I found out about these changes from an animal advocate who was worried about it and have heard from several since. I appreciate that there are residents who are annoyed or frightened 1 by wildlife or groups of cats. My suggestion is that you do a community meeting about this issue. Invite all sides to come and work toward a solution that improves the situation. If you believe writing a new law is the only way to accomplish your goals, then I would recommend writing a law that defines what is allowable feeding activity and what is not, vs. banning it altogether. There are ways to properly feed and manage a group of outdoor cats (or a single cat) that reduces the number of unowned cats, and can eliminate the attraction of wildlife. Setting a standard still allows you the ability to step in with enforcement when needed, but eliminates the problems that come with a blanket ban for all, and in all places. Sincerely, Jon Cicirelli Assistant Director Public Works Director Animal Care and Services San Jose, CA www.sanjoseca.gov www.sanjoseanimals.com 2 Subject: FW: Ordinance amending Chapter 4.10 of the Los Gatos Code From: Marjorie Sheldon jmailto:msheldon188@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2018 1:59 PM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>; Town Manager <Manager@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Ordinance amending Chapter 4.10 of the Los Gatos Code Dear Council, I have read with interest the draft proposal of the amendments to Chapter 4.10 of the Los Gatos Code. As a Los Gatos resident and a volunteer with a cat rescue organization, I would like to speak to one area the Council may not be fully informed about. The problem of feral cats is one that affects many communities. One of the problems presented by feral cats is their limited ability to adjust to an adoptive environment. When trapped as kittens, they can generally be socialized and adopted out. The adult cats, however, almost never so adjust. One of the most effective ways to manage this problem is through trap, neuter and release programs, commonly known as TNR. The kittens caught in this way are retained to socialize and adopt out. The adults are neutered, vaccinated, treated for any underlying illnesses, and released back to their colony. Critical to this practice is a feeding program. Feeding of feral colonies provides a great service to the community. It keeps the colony located in a specific area, rather than roaming through neighborhoods seeking food and water. Feeders monitor the colony for signs of disease or illness. Colonies that are managed in this way are smaller, healthier, and less apt to cause a public health or public nuisance risk. TNR and feeding programs of this nature are generally not haphazard but are overseen by established rescues or adoption agencies. Please consider revising these amendments to allow feral feeding and TNR of cat colonies. This action could only benefit the city. Thank you, Marjorie Sheldon 20087 Gist Road Los Gatos, CA 95033 (408) 691-2278 1 AlleyrrCyateAlliestng advocate July 31, 2017 RECEIVED 2018 JUL 314 P 121 Dear Mayor Rennie, My name is Alice Burton, Associate Director of Animal Shelter and Animal Control Engagement at Alley Cat Allies. I am reaching out today in reference to the proposed feeding ban in Los Gatos, California. I urge you to consider the adoption of Trap -Neuter -Return (TNR) as a means to stabilize the community cat population, instead of the ban on feeding community cats. TNR is an effective, humane policy with a proven track -record for stabilizing community cat populations while benefitting public health. Alley Cat Allies is the largest advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. We have promoted the spaying, neutering, and vaccinating of cats since our founding in 1990, and we regularly advise individuals, nonprofit groups, local governments, and state policymakers on humane approaches to cats. As a former animal control officer of 14 years in Arlington County, Va., 11 of those years as Chief of Animal Control, I saw for myself the benefits of a successful Trap -Neuter -Return (TNR) program. I would love to share my experience with you as I have with many other communities around the country as soon as possible. Additionally, I have recently been elected to the board of directors of the National Animal Care and Control Association, and I have a lot of resources available to share with you. Why Trap -Neuter -Return? The best approach for feral cats, also known as community cats, is Trap -Neuter -Return, a management plan where unowned cats already living outdoors are vaccinated and sterilized by a veterinarian. This approach to cat care and management is more effective and more economical than removing cats, which fails to sustainably decrease the cat population. Spending taxpayer dollars on an ineffective approach is wasteful and unfair to citizens. Neutering benefits cats by eliminating the cycle of reproduction, thus stabilizing the population, and reducing mating behaviors such as fighting and yowling. Cat health —and public health —improves through vaccination. Typically, residents volunteer their own time, effort and money to conduct Trap -Neuter -Return. These caregivers neither create nor maintain the stray and community cat population. Rather, they are Good Samaritans stepping forward to care for these animals. Trap -Neuter -Return is a mainstream practice, used all over the country. Over 650 localities participate in some form of TNR, and this number grows every day. In fact, many local governments endorse TNR as the only effective way to address community cats in their neighborhoods. Feeding Bans Are Ineffective Feeding bans do not work and are not supported by science. Attempts to eradicate community cats by starvation fail because there are other food sources that are a by-product of rural, urban, and suburban environments. Studies show that other sources of food are available, from household trash to garbage facilities. Ultimately, community cat populations' density and locations are not contingent on individuals providing food. When feeding bans discourage caretakers from feeding community cats, the cats become more visible and they roam and scavenge to find food. This leads to increased nuisance calls and fighting over resources, because cats who are fed on a regular schedule tend to stay close to their food source. Feeding bans also 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600, Bethesda, MO 20814-252S • 240-482-1980 • FAX: 240-482-1990 • www.alleycat.org punish caretakers who are trying to do TNR by making it more difficult for them to trap cats, which leads to fewer spays and neuters taking place. As a result, they are counterproductive to the goal of lowering the community cat population. Amend Other Parts of the City Code to Support Trap -Neuter -Return There are a few other provisions Los Gatos may want to address in its city code to ensure a successful TNR program for the community and the cats. These include removal of the licensing requirement for cats and limit laws and exempting eartipping cats from the at large provision. Licensing laws are ineffective, expensive, and do little to help cats or people. Similarly, limit laws are arbitrary and often do not focus on the welfare of the animals. Finally, for a TNR program to function, eartipped cats should be permitted to run at large as they are unowned and free -roaming by their nature. On a more personal note, when my shelter implemented TNR in 2009, l was opposed to the program and did not believe in TNR. Six months later, I asked to help run the program because I saw the positive changes that were taking place. This was because our agency was now humanely stabilizing the population with TNR and the caregivers realized they no longer had to hide from the officers. We also saw the number of nuisance cat complaints decrease dramatically. In 2009, the number of those nuisance calls was 913 but that dropped to a mere 47 by 2015. That allowed the Animal Control officers to focus their attention on other more pressing matters. I truly do not believe we would have been as successful if we had implemented a feeding ban. Alley Cat Allies wishes to extend our support to you as a resource and would be more than happy to work with Los Gatos and local animal advocates to implement a successful, robust Trap -Neuter -Return program that would stabilize the community cat population Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you have. Sincerely, Alice Burton Associate Director of Animal Shelter and Animal Control Engagement 240-482-1997 Aburton@alleycat.org 7920 Norfolk Avenue, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814-2525.240-482-1980 • FAX: 240-482-1990 • www.alieycat.org Subject: FW: Los Gatos Feeding bans for cats don't work From: Wilson Wong [mailto:wwswong2000@yahoo.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2018 7:04 PM To: Council; Town Manager Cc: Wilson Wong Subject: Los Gatos Feeding bans for cats don't work Dear Town Council, I am writing in response to your proposed ordinance entitled "An Ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos, Amending Chapter 4.10 of the Los Gatos Town Code entitled Animals and Fowl". As a volunteer that feeds community cats in San Jose communities, I want to share with you that the Los Gatos' proposed feeding ban for outdoor cats has already been tried in those communities and it has NEVER worked. The Town Council should abandon this proposed ordinance and implement a Trap -Neuter -Return (TNR) program instead. During TNR, community cats, also called feral cats, are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, eartipped (to indicate that they have been neutered and vaccinated), and returned to their outdoor homes. TNR is the only humane and effective approach to community cats. It is well known that many studies and practical exercises have shown that TNR effectively stabilizes the community cat population, reduces the number of cats killed in shelters, and saves taxpayers money. TNR is good for cats, the community and taxpayers. Starving cats through feeding bans is cruel, ineffective in managing the population, and often increases calls to animal control when cats become more visible scavenging for food. Punitive ordinances like feeding bans waste taxpayer dollars and penalize outdoor cat caregivers who are Good Samaritans making the community a better place for cats and people. Hundreds of communities in the country have adopted official TNR ordinances and policies, and thousands more conduct grassroots, volunteer -led programs. Los Gatos Town Council doesn't need to implement a feeding ban —it needs to follow a responsible path for its cats. I hereby urge the Town Council to withdraw the proposed ordinance and instead implement a TNR program that is good for cats, the city of Los Gatos and its taxpayers. If you should have any questions/comments, please feel free to contact for more information. Wai Shun (Wilson) Wong San Jose, CA 95131 i Subject: FW: Feral cat feeding ban Original Message From: Clare Despotakis [mailto:cedespotakis@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2018 11:00 AM To: Council; Town Manager Subject: Feral cat feeding ban To the council, This is in response to the proposal to ban feeding feral cats. The only thing this will accomplish will be that you will have more cats, and more cats that aren't being spayed and neutered. Feeding feral cats is essential to keeping track of them and is essential to spaying and neutering them. When we moved into our townhome development, there were 50 stray cats just roaming around. It was unbelievable. By feeding them, and getting them all spayed and neutered, we were able to get 25 adopted into homes. Thd number has now dwindled to 10 due to more adoptions and deaths. But we have taken care of and kept track of all of them. If I had not started feeding them, that wouldn't have happened, and there would now be over 500 cats easily. This situation has been contained and brought under control. Banning the feeding of feral cats is not only ridiculous, but it just doesn't make sense. If the goal is to bring down the number of feral cats, that will definitely not accomplish that, it will only serve to increase the number of feral cats. And to say that people cannot feed cats on their own private property is absurd. Who ever came up with this idea? Why would you try to stop people who are trying to do the right thing and who are trying to control the feral cat population? If this passes, I can tell you that I will NEVER spend a dime in Los Gatos again. I will not eat there or shop there, and I will tell everyone I know to do the same. No other city that I know of has this ban, and whoever proposed this really needs to get a life and needs to educate themselves, because they are incredibly misinformed and uneducated. I cannot believe that you are actually spending time and money in this. Thank you, Clare Despotakis Sent from my iPhone 1 Subject: FW: New Proposal on Feeding Feral Cats From: Frederick Robert Anderson[mailto:frobertandersonOgmail.com] Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2018 1:43 PM To: Council Subject: New Proposal on Feeding Feral Cats Hello, I wish to add my voice to those opposing the proposal to outlaw feeding feral cats. If this proposal becomes law, it will undo years of progress in management of community cat populations. Feeding feral cats, when done properly, has some fundamental benefits. 1. Feeders are able to identify and place cats into a spay/neuter facility since they have more contact with the community. This decreases the numbers of cats significantly over a short period of time. 2. When cats are fed, they are less aggressive and less destructive to property than they would be if they had to scrounge for food. 3. Because there is less destruction of property, fewer nuisance calls will be made to animal control. This means fewer man hours necessary to trap nuisance cats. Which in turn means fewer cats will be euthanized. 4. Because cats are territorial, when a cat or several cats are removed from an area, a vacuum effect is created and surrounding cats fill the void. This often actually results in an increase in cats to the area where the cats were taken away. Spay/neuter programs have been shown to reduce cat populations more effectively than trap and kill practices. 5. By outlawing the feeding of community cats, policing and enforcement now comes into play which is costly. This is an unnecessary burden to our police officers and courts. So in effect, feeders help lessen competition for food amongst community cats, increase the percentage of spayed and neutered cats, and reduce overall cat population. Outlawing feeders will lead to more nuisance calls, more resources utilized to trap and kill, overfilled shelters, increased feral cat population and increased policing and court costs. And this pattern will continue to grow as the cat population increases out of control. The answer is to properly manage the feeding of community cats. Some feeders may be irregular or messy and this attracts wildlife, which is another nuisance. Educating feeders in proper techniques for feeding, trapping, spaying and neutering is critical. This is where the Town Council should concentrate it's efforts for maximum effect. Thank you, F. Robert Anderson i From: Majer <majer@pacbell.net> Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2018 6:22 PM To: Council Cc: Lynne Lampros Subject: Feral CAt Feeding needs to stop It's my understanding that the LG Town Council will soon be taking a vote on a measure that will essentially outlaw the feeding of feral cats in Los Gatos. I support your efforts to stop the feeding of feral cats for several reasons all of which are backed by scientific facts based on extensive studies on this specific subject. As an example, the State of Hawaii has dealt with and continues to deal with a significant feral cat problem on all eight of the main Hawaiian islands. One of the biggest problems that the Hawaii Invasive Species Council identified concerned the parasite Toxoplasma Gondi. Here's their explanation directly from their website: • Required host for the parasite Toxoplasma gondii to complete its life cycle. A single cat may excrete hundreds of millions of infectious eggs into the environment through its feces. Humans, especially pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems, are vulnerable to infection by this parasite. Toxoplasmosis is an identified threat to the conservation of endangered species such as Nene (Hawaiian goose; Branta sandvicensis), 'Alala (Hawaiian crow; Corvus hawaiiensis), and Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi). It should be noted that pregnant women are vulnerable to infection by this parasite. The Hawaii Invasive Species Council also had these recommendations on what can be done to reduce the problem: • Spay and neuter pet cats. • Keep cats indoors or safely contained. • Microchip pet cats so that you may be reunited if the cats should become lost. • Never abandon pet cats. If you are no longer able to care for your pet, please surrender the cat to a local animal shelter so that it has a chance of being adopted. • Do not feed feral cats. All of this information and more is available at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/invasive-species-profiles/feral-cats/ There is a lot more data available from states and countries around the world that are dealing with feral cat problems similar to ours. The fact that it is so widespread is an indication of global problem. Many supporters of the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) programs will say that that TNR will eventually lead to declines in feral cats populations over the course of years, it takes highly managed and motivated management of feral colonies to be even remotely effective. However, TNR programs do not address the damage done to local species or of the increased risk of exposure to parasitic infections and other diseases that are carried by the feces of feral cats. We are the caretakers of the environment that we live in. Feral cats are an invasive species and have been shown to have a significant, negative impact on local wildlife such as birds, small mammals and reptiles that are important to balance of life in our local environment. I often wonder if the increase in cockroach populations in our neighborhoods is because the animals that would normally feed on them such as lizards and mice, have been wiped out. i We don't let dogs or most other domesticated animals roam loose because of the problems they can cause. The same should be true for cats. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. 2 From: Katie LaScola <katielascola35@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2018 9:39 PM To: Council; Town Manager Subject: Code 4.10: Feeding of Animals & Fowl Information [Towne Terrace) Dear City Council Members, I've been a resident at the complex on 136 Towne Terrace in Los Gatos for the past 6 months. I also own two well behaved senior dogs, one of which has hip and knee issues and is unable to walk well. I specifically moved into this apartment because it was on the first floor, its close proximity to the lawn which is convenient for my senior pups, and after working hard was finally able to afford something in this wonderful city. Everyday since I moved to Towne Terrace has been a struggle. This is all due to one resident at 130 Towne Terrace, Ann Mitchell, who feeds wild animals 3-4 times a day. Just to simply let my dogs relieve themselves in my own front yard of the complex is scary the due to cats, skunks, raccoons, and possums feeding on fresh cat food. They use the yard at 136 as a "highway" to and from the food, water, and milk being left behind the carport and in the front yard at 130 Towne Terrace. Ann is also distributing food under unsuspecting owners cars, and next to trash cans up and down Towne Terrace, Avery Ln, and Rushmore Ln. I have had to run from spraying skunks, hissing cats, raccoons and possums hiding in my bushes and trees. Which is not fun with two senior dogs, once of which cannot get away fast enough due to her leg and hip issues. Should we get sprayed or worse bitten, I wouldn't even be able to lift my dogs into the bathtub to get them cleaned or into my car by myself to get them to emergency. I shouldn't have to be scared to open my front door, walk to my car, take my dogs to the bathroom or on a walk, or most embarrassingly have my family and friends over only to find out there has been food placed under their cars parked on Town Terrace where groups of skunks are feeding. Here is her daily feeding schedule. Also, please take a look at these photos of what it's like on a Towne Terrace during the day and dusk. • 4pm-5pm: puts two cans of wet cat food under her car (Black Mercedes) and fills bowls of food, water, and milk in the front bushes of 130 Towne Terrace • 8:00pm-9:00pm: adds two more cans of wet food under her car + other cars on Towne Terrace & Avery Lane, as well as spreads out dry cat kibble next to trash cans. She also adds dry kibble, wet food, and water behind the carport at 130 Towne Terrace, which connects to 136 Towne Terrace. • 1:30am- adds more kibble to the curb area in front of 130 Towne Terrace, then leaves every night in her car in what I assume is to feed at another area • 4:30am- adds more kibble to to the curb area in front of 130 Towne Terrace These animals are becoming hostile and aggressive since this food source is so consistent. Not to mention the population of these animals is continuing to grow. Ann is domesticating these animals to a point that is driving people from wanting to live in this neighborhood for fear of their own well being and their animals. The property management company, Forbes, who manages 130 Towne Terrace has told me they have had people move from the complex due to Ann's behavior. They and the owner's hands are tied until a law is passed that can prevent her from continuing this harmful behavior. This isn't just effecting residents and their domestic animals, it's effecting the wildlife too. I'm afraid that these animals, especially the babies are unable to hunt on their own. What will happen next? Coyotes? Mountain Lions? There has been numerous skunks run over by cars on Towne Terrace & University recently. i As a side note, many of the "so called" feral cats have collars on. Many of them are simply neighborhood outside cats that have a home and are just loving the extra food. The amount of skunks, possums, and raccoons outnumber the cats 5 to 1. Also, if you drive down Towne Terrace you'll see that the crow population has grown and done it's share of the damage as well. Directly in front of 130 Towne Terrace and across to Avery Lane, the crows have made their impact with their feces lining the sidewalk and pathway above the electric lines, simply by sticking around to pick the scraps left behind by all the animals. When you ask her to stop feeding, Ann likes to tell everyone that she works for the County Animal Control, so we won't call them on her. She has told me she owns the building and she has every right to feed what she wants, when she wants. She somehow figured out the company I work for and has threaten to call my Manager. I have called everyone from the property managers, to the police, to the county, to your office to try to get her to stop and our hands are all tied unless this law is passed. The county officers told me that Ann has a long wrap sheet of offenses and has been arrested in other cities for this behavior. It makes sense that she moved to Los Gatos because there was no law against it. The owner of 130 Towne Terrace, Judy Ventimiglia was able to address you in the June 19th council meeting, she needs help to enforce Ann to stop with citations or even eviction. Ann is causing so much trouble in this neighborhood that this serious issue cannot go on any longer. I urge you to please pass this second reading of this code. My dream of finally being able to afford to live in Los Gatos and walk to my favorite downtown shops and restaurants is becoming a nightmare based on someones mental capacity to not understand simple common sense to not feed wild animals. I will be present on September 4th and hope to be able to say a few words to make people understand that it is not right to feed wild animals, even cats. They are feral for a reason, they are able to hunt and gather on their own based on their wild instincts. We are lucky enough to live next to this beautiful creek and mountains, but residents need to understand that what is wild should stay wild. Feeding them is only doing harm. Please contact me anytime with questions. I do hope you'll take my information into consideration and I hope not to have to move from this perfect location. Thank you, Katie LaScola 619-300-9221 katielascola35@gmail.com 2 8/30/2018 Dropbox - Towne Terrace - Simplify your life Towne Terrace Sorted by name Photo May 23, 8 18 11 PM.jpg Photo May 23, 8 22 46 PM.jpg Photo May 24, 10 59 20 AM.jpg Photo May 23, 8 18 17 PM.jpg Photo May 23, 8 24 35 PM.jpg Photo May 27, 8 19 09 PM.jpg Photo May 23, 8 19 21 PM.jpg Photo May 23, 8 25 38 PM.jpg Photo May 27, 8 19 11 PM.jpg Photo May 23, 8 22 36 PM.jpg Photo May 24, 10 59 11 AM.jpg Photo May 27, 8 20 34 PM.jpg https://www.dropbox.cam/sh/Od68ie72gn31js1/AABc2BgZk8wMEkbTiEJLeTv9a?d1=0 1/3 8/30/2018 Dropbox - Towne Terrace - Simplify your life %i Towne Terrace Photo May 28, 8 37 38 Photo May 28, 8 37 47 PM.jpg Photo May 28, 8 42 21 PM.jpg Photo May 30, 7 32 57 PM.jpg ■ Video May 27, 8 55 34 PM.mov PM.jpg Photo May 30, 7 3211 PM.jpg Photo May 30, 7 34 05 PM.jpg ■ Video May 28, 8 39 09 PM.mov Photo May 28, 8 40 46 Photo May 28, 8 42 18 PM.jpg PM.jpg Photo May 30, 7 32 25 Photo May 30, 7 32 42 PM.jpg Photo May 30, 7 34 19 PM.jpg Video May 28, 8 40 28 PM.mov PM.jpg Photo May 30, 7 35 36 PM.jpg Video May 28, 8 41 37 PM.mov hifnc.//wwwrlrnnhnr rnm/ch/nrlRRi477nn'2Iic1/AARr9Rn7kRwM I khTiF.II aTvQa9r1I fl 1/1 Subject: FW: In regards to your Animal ordinance on Feeding From: Caroline Golden [mailto:cegolden1@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, August 03, 2018 11:34 AM To: Council; Town Manager Subject: In regards to your Animal ordinance on Feeding To Whom it May Concern, I would like to express my opposition to the proposed ban on feeding feral animals. I do not think this solves the problems you may be experiencing with feral animals, such as colonies of cats. It simply ignores them. Communities in the area are already working on taming feral animal numbers via TNR and other tactics, and it seems needlessly ignorant and cruel to forbid their efforts. Thanks for your consideration, Caroline Golden i Subject: FW: Animals and Fowl Ordinance Update, "Feral Cat Feeding" Original Message From: Bill Ehlers[mailto:bill.ehlers.Ig@icloud.com] Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2018 8:43 PM To: Council; Town Manager Subject: Animals and Fowl Ordinance Update, "Feral Cat Feeding" Good evening. I am writing in support of the proposed updates to the Animals and Fowl town code. I live in downtown Los Gatos, just north of Highway 9. The persons in the neighborhood that are out very early "feeding cats" is a farce. All they are doing is spreading food for all the vermin in the area to consume. I have seen them. They make absolutely no attempt to locate an animal, let alone a "feral cat". Dumping food in the street in the wee hours of the morning as they stroll around is creating a health hazard for the public. Please amend the code as proposed, especially the definition of Animal Rescuer and the inclusion of Section 4.10.085 Feeding of animals on public and private property. Thank you. Bill Ehlers 544 University Ave Los Gatos, CA 95032 408-348-6374 1 Subject: FW: Concern about feeding wild animals From: Roger Martin <rogerwmartiri gmail.com> Sent: Friday, August 17, 2018 6:16 PM To: Council Subject: Concern about feeding wild animals Dear Los Gatos City Council, My name is Roger Martin, and my father-in-law lives on Towne Terrace Dr. in Los Gatos. My wife and I visit her father about once a month and stay at his apartment. I write today to express my concern about the dangers to wild animals I have seen on several occasions while visiting him. When visiting my father-in-law, I have witnessed first hand the tragic consequences that occur when people feed wild animals in residential areas. Although the people who are feeding these wild animals believe that they are "helping" them to survive, the exact opposite is true. They are luring them to being hit by cars, harassed by people and dogs, and giving them food that is not part of the natural healthy diet they need to thrive. On three separate occasions, I have seen dead animals, hit by cars, on Towne Terrace near University. Two were skunks (one adult and one baby), and one was an opossum. I have also seen live raccoons in the same specific area. Specifically, there is an elderly woman on Towne Terrace who feeds cat food to the skunks, raccoons and opossum each night by placing it directly on the street near her parked car. It is hard to describe the sadness I feel to see innocent wild animals lured into a death trap by a woman who is deliberately putting cat food in the street for them to eat. Most recently, I was walking down Towne Terrace on the sidewalk with my family, coming back from the Los Gatos downtown area after dinner at about lOpm. To my surprise, a baby skunk approached me from the street, sniffing at me and my feet, as if she was looking for food. The baby showed no signs of fear of humans. Instead, she seemed to view humans as a source of food. It occurred to me that a skunk whose natural instinct to fear humans has been trained out of her by a lady who hand feeds her is bound to meet a tragic end, either by a scared person who hits her with a broom or kicks her with their foot out of fear of being sprayed, or by a dog being walked who sees her as a threat. It's simply unimaginable that the city would tolerate harming wild animals in this way. I hope that this woman's actions would be strongly discouraged by the city. A public ordinance that prohibits feeding wild animals seems to be the right answer so that the woman can be cited. I have heard from many of the neighbors that she has been doing this for many years despite a dozen animal deaths. Thank you for your attention. Best Regards, Roger Martin (858) 204-0453 1 Subject: FW: amending Chapter 4 of the Los Gatos Town Code entitled Animals and Fowl. From: Chris Diane [mailto:Igchris@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2018 2:45 PM To: Laurel Prevetti; Arn Andrews; Lynne Lampros; maricosayoc@gmail.com; marcia.jensen@gmail.com; barbara4lg@comcast.net; steve@blvdfinancial.com Subject: amending Chapter 4 of the Los Gatos Town Code entitled Animals and Fowl. When I went into the Town's government site, and pressed the email area to send this to each Town Councilman, the system would permit me to go further. There seems to be a disconnect to thru the web system (IT system). Please forward to each member thru the proper channels. thanks you 21 August 2018 To: The Town of Los Gatos Council, Manager's Office Assistant, Deputy Town Attorney Subject: The Ordinance that was introduced at the Town Council meeting of June 19, 2018, amending Chapter 4 of the Los Gatos Town Code entitled Animals and Fowl. Many times in the night our area's residents are rudely awaken by the terrible odor and fighting sounds of the skunks and other animals. If one takes walks over the area from HWY 17 on Towne Terrace and its adjoining streets towards Santa Cruz Ave, they will note on sidewalks, under vehicles and behind bushes, Tots of cat food (both crunchy and soft in cans), as well as, dishes of milk all over. As the sun sets, the skunks come and feast, followed by the Coyotes and then there are a stream of cockroaches up and down the curbs. And many more cockroaches on top of the food tossed haphazardly. One can hear the animals chewing away and occasionally see the fights among the furry beasts. Overtime I have watched a huge increase in this wildlife. Even some come out in the daytime. They rest on my front lawn. What I have also witnessed many times is a couple of ladies in my area placing out food for the so called "Feral Cats". At times these ladies tell me they are abandoned cats left by previous owners. As it is hard to tell if these cats are Feral or abandoned, I find the feeding frenzy if more of a hazard. This must be stopped for health and sanitary reasons and just help folks get a good night's sleep with Tess horrific odors, sounds from animal fights and possibly less cockroaches to get into our homes and vehicles. I have personally asked both ladies, Lupe and Ann, to stop pouring food all over. Lupe tells me she will continue and Ann boldly tells me she is not doing it any more yet I watch her continue to put out food, and even drive over to the park and put more out. I witness Lupe and her son rolling the big bags out of Safeway and down Town Terrace to their place. Some folks have had to pull out their shrubs and bushes to stop her from placing food under them. Ann slips food under the garbage bins in back of the Safeway, VCA building and other businesses nearby. Further, there is another lady who sits in front of the post office and other places of business, asking for money to 1 Subject: FW: Raccoons being fed at 101 Arroyo Grande Way From: JANE LOOMIS <janeloomis@comcast.net> Sent: Friday, August 24, 2018 3:56 PM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>; Town Manager <Manager(a@losgatosca.gov> Cc: marlenela37@gmail.com; Mutlu, Ahyan <ayhan@synopsys.com>; Jane Loomis <janeloomis@comcast.net> Subject: Fwd: Raccoons being fed at 101 Arroyo Grande Way Dear Council Members and Town Manager, Please read this forwarded email prior to your discussion on feeding wildlife at the upcoming meeting Sept 4. The infestation of raccoons in my neighborhood off Lark Ave with their accompanying latrines poses a health threat for me, as I often work in the backyard where they roam and leave their feces. I urge you to pass the "no feeding wildlife, no leaving pet food outdoors" ordinance. Jane Loomis, Los Gatos resident p.s. Scroll down and see San Jose's Ban on Feeding Wildlife code section below. Original Message From: JANE LOOMIS <janeloomis@comcast.net> To: codecompliance@losgatosca.gov Cc: marlenela37@gmail.com, Jane Loomis <janeloomis@comcast.net> Date: August 20, 2018 at 3:45 PM Subject: Raccoons being fed at 101 Arroyo Grande Way Hi Allen. Huge raccoon problem here. I discovered 2 raccoon latrines in my backyard at 109 Arroyo Grande, and one raccoon growled at me. A large family is living under the deck at Marlene Lamb's at 105 Arroyo Grande. They are attracted by the food offerings next door to her at 101. The owner at 101 Arroyo Grande, Kathy Giovacchini, yelled at me and Marlene when we went to complain. Kathy said she has been feeding them for 13 years and if we don't like it we should go find the Lord. Her son once told me they feed them canned cat food. It didn't bother me until the latrines and growling started, and I learned their feces contain roundworm eggs that are airborn, and that I must hire a professional to clean it up if I don't want to risk getting the worms or any of the other diseases they carry. (SC County Vector Control told me this) I took this photo last week from the yard at 105 where we saw 8 of them coming for dinner around 7:30 pm. Can you help us? (p.s.also a problem for Ayhan Mutlu at 147 Arroyo Grande, 2 were born under his shed and infested his property with fleas) Jane Loomis 408 356-3773 1 Subject: FW: Animal Ordinace From: Carmel Forte [mailto:starcody49@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, August 27, 2018 4:42 PM To: Council; Town Manager Subject: Animal Ordinace First of all, I would like to go on record that I do support Feral Feeding and to care for community cat colonies in the Town of Los Gatos. I received an email from a group asking my support for the feral colonies in Los Gatos because Los Gatos was considering banning community cat colonies, but I was not given any specifics, so I decided to call the Town of Los Gatos for more information. spoke with Attorney Lynn Lamporos a few weeks ago to discuss why this has become an issue and she explained that a person or person's scatters food on side walks, streets, (can wet food is placed under cars) and bushes which attracts insects and wildlife. I feel that this type of feeding can also endanger the cats. As a current volunteer for several years with HSSV, Town Cats, and 13th Street Cats, I know that feral cats are fed and cared for in the Community Cat Colonies. Should you need more information regarding Colony Care you can contact any of the rescue organizations I have mentioned and/or you can visit alleycat.org/ColonyCare. TRN (Trap Neuter, Release) is the most humane way to reduce the cat population and allows the cats in our community to live and coexist with people. Please find it in your heart to support the TRN program and Community Cat Colonies. Regards, Carmel Forte 1 Subject: FW: Los Gatos Town Council Meeting Sep. 4, 2018 section 40.10.085 regarding the feeding of animals. From: Carin Schroff<cschroff@laol.com> Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2018 9:11 AM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>; Town Manager <Manager@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Los Gatos Town Council Meeting Sep. 4, 2018 section 40.10.085 regarding the feeding of animals. Dear Mayor Rennie, Vice -Mayor Leonardis, and Council Members: I am writing to you in regards to the proposed Animals and Fowl ordinance, section 40.10.085 regarding the feeding of animals. I live in San Jose and I am familiar with the neighborhood on Avery Lane and Town Terrace. On occasion since 2005 I have volunteered my time to Trap Neuter and Return (TNR) cats in that neighborhood so that they stop reproducing. I have rescued many litters of kittens from Avery Lane and Town Terrace that were eventually adopted. The cat population problem on those streets existed long before the current feeder moved there several years ago. I believe I know who this feeder is as I have tried to educate her on proper cat colony management. I have advised her not to leave food out after the cats ate. I agree she is a problem. She is elderly, and due to her age will probably not be feeding for that much longer. At times I have also tried to educate the apartment managers on Avery Lane and Town Terrace on TNR, but many did not want to spend the time on it themselves, and were happy to have me addressing the problem. Some had even told me in the past they like the cats for rodent control. Now it is an issue due to the improper feeding attracting wildlife. I suggest that the property owners and managers look at this situation as they do with any maintenance on their property, and TNR by hiring a service, or working with a rescue group who will implement the feeding portion of the TNR program in a manner that does not attract wildlife. The root of the problem is not the feeders, or TNR trappers. The root of community cats "being there" in the first place are irresponsible pet owners that abandon their animals and leave them behind when they move. Writing a heavy handed unenforceable city wide ordinance to address one bad feeder is like shutting down an entire city intersection because one person ran a red light. There are many properly managed cat colonies in Los Gatos that you probably are unaware of, because there are no complaints. Why criminalize these cat colony managers who are doing the right thing for society by conducting a TNR program, and rescuing kittens for adoption? You can't TNR cats without a regular food source. When cat colonies are managed correctly the population of those cats reduce until eventually the colony is gone as they age out. Letting the cats of Los Gatos starve to death is not an option, and rounding up healthy cats for euthanasia is not only inhumane, but is also not an option. Where are the community cats of Los Gatos supposed to go? Los Gatos is a town in Silicon Valley that should be progressive and humane towards community cats and its residents. Please do not take an antiquated approach without a real solution, by making it illegal to feed community cats to satisfy a few frustrated people. Many of these community cats have already been spayed and neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, and need to be fed. And most, if not all, of these frustrated neighbors will be happy once the problem is solved and wildlife is no longer attracted to the area. This can happen with a legitimate TNR program in place and mitigation work to address the person feeding cats outside of a TNR process. The Avery Lane Town Terrance situation could be handled through mitigation and implementation of a comprehensive cat management plan, which is actually quite easy to do, and has been found to be quite successful in solving similar situations. Let's have the town of Los Gatos move forward with humane and productive solutions, instead of putting a band aid on the real problem. Sincerely, Carin Schroff 1 Subject: FW: Council Meeting From: keli foley <kelifoley@vahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2018 9:38 AM To: Council <Council(c@Iosgatosca.gov> Cc: Town Manager <Manager@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Council Meeting Lynne, from your attorneys office, asked that i send you the details for inclusion in the packet for town council meeting by 11am today. Sorry but i just got the message and it's 9:30am I had written to code compliance after researching on the web and found the section about feeding of wild animals. I cannot copy that into this email since i am working remotely and don't have access. However, Lynn said it is already a State LAw that Los Gatos had drafted for inclusion in Town "law". The incident came up since my neighbor/renter at 260 Penn way, Los Gatos 95032, Debbi Burkett, has been leaving nuts and berries and Cheetos, and other scrap food on the adjoining fence in our backyards. We are in a 2 unit duplex: i live at 262 penn way. This has attracted hoards of crows, squirrels, rats, mourning doves, and other vermin. This feed has NOT attracted songbirds or small birds. I know this from my security cameras as well as personal observation. This feed ends up on the ground naturally as these are scavenger wildlife, but also because she scatters it on her own backyard floor. Before I moved in there was a problem with RATS. I know this from the other neighbors as well as from the landlord/owners herself. There were still remnants of Rat poison in the yard buried under the bark dust, unbeknownst to me as I an a Dog Owner and subsequently my dog as poisoned. Flash forward, I do not want another incident with RATs, and any need for poison to be used in, or near, my property. I would like to emilinate as far as possible this occurrence by having this ordinance maintained and enforced by Los Gatos, Town of. Please excuse my brevity and any syntax or spelling issues since i am quickly writing this before you deadline remotely whilst working my "real job". Thank you, Keli Foley 262 Penn Way Los Gatos, CA 95032 Keli.foley@yahoo.com Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad 1 Subject: FW: New ordinance - Section 4.10.085 From: Margaret Pedersen <margden1994Pgmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2018 9:55 AM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov> Subject: New ordinance - Section 4.10.085 Attention Town Council Members: Council Member Barbara Spector Council Member Marico Sayoc Mayor Rob Rennie Vice Mayor Steve Leonardis Council Member Marcia Jensen Hello, I am not a resident of Los Gatos, but spend a good portion of my time here, as someone who works in a local business. I know that ordinances can sometimes be passed with the best intentions, but end up with unintended consequences. I ask that you do not pass the new ordinance in regards to banning the feeding of feral cat colonies, because of the bad actions of one person. Feral cat colonies serve many purposes and many organizations and individuals work hard to work with them to lower feral cat populations with TNR programs (Trap, Neuter and Release), that ensure the colonies do not grow and that we treat these animals humanely. Some individuals and businesses keep feral cat colonies on their properties to keep rodent populations down. Obviously it is not ideal to have feral cats, but the reality is that they exist and just euthanizing them is not an option that is palatable to most people. But they are not wild animals and can't fend for themselves, nor do we want them preying on birds and other animals, outside of rodents. So, please reconsider passing this ordinance and instead deal with the one person who has caused issues with their irresponsible actions. Thank you. Best Regards, Margaret Pedersen 1 RECEIVED AUG 302018� 00Q`m MAYOR & TOWN COUNCIL 1.0, )0,vWSJ / 78s a_ (_-xoe-e,ffi-®— LSD qj a° 18 ) (4 , hem G� v otoc C o-� 9at.354 9- Et t.y..._ Subject: FW: Change in ordinance to prevent feeding feral cats From: Jenna Skinner <onamission2012@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2018 10:40 AM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Change in ordinance to prevent feeding feral cats Dear Los Gatos Town Council, I am writing you with my concerns about the changes being considered to prevent feeding of feral cats in Los Gatos. I'd like to address the concerns of your community and the misconceptions that are out there about feral colony management. First and most importantly to understand is that cats are territorial, they will starve before leaving their territory. The majority of feral cats do not survive on being fed by humans. When a necropsy is done on a feral cat the most typical thing that they find in their stomachs is garbage. The only way to humanely reduce the cat population in the community is through TNR or trap neuter and return. This process is the standard in the shelter industry and widely supported by all of the major animal welfare organizations. You cannot have a successful TNR program without being able to monitor and draw the cats out for trapping. This requires feeding, not free feeding but meal feeding at a specific time in a specific location so that you can watch the cats in the colony. This feeding location should be monitored to prevent wildlife from eating the food and the feeding area needs to be kept clean and acceptable to those in the neighborhood. People certainly have the right to live in their homes and not encounter wildlife outside their door because someone has left a pile of cat food on the street. If you institute a feeding ban, the cats won't go away and the feeder won't go away, they will just go underground and will be harder to enforce good feeding practices. We feed several colonies in San Jose. In one industrial area we feed about 75 cats. That may seem to be a lot, but it was originally 300. We haven't had kittens there for two years. We are a rescue that has members that feed daily and are aware if new, unaltered cats join the colonies. Our goal is that the cats in our colonies die a natural death and the colonies disappear. Santa Cruz County has a feral ordinance that I believe is what Los Gatos should look at. Their ordinance says: 10.040 Care of feral cats. A. It is unlawful for any person within the unincorporated area of the county intentionally to provide food, water or other forms of sustenance to a feral cat colony unless the person furnishes the director of animal control services with a signed statement agreeing to the following conditions: 1. Register with the director of animal control services as caring for feral cats; 2. Regularly feed the cat colony, including weekends and holidays; 3. Regularly and frequently trap the cats over the age of eight weeks and have them spayed or neutered; 4. Arrange to have all trapped cats tested for feline leukemia and feline immune deficiency virus, and to have those who test positive humanely euthanized or isolated indoors; 5. Identify all trapped cats by tipping their ears; and 6. Arrange to have all trapped cats vaccinated for rabies in addition to any other vaccination or immunization requirement imposed by the state. (Ord. 4490 § 3 (part), 1998: Ord. 4305 § 1 (part), 1994) I believe that rescues would be wiling to monitor their feeders to assure that they are following a appropriate feeding protocol that is agreed upon with the city. Please consider this as an alternative solution to a ban. History tells us that banning something usually doesn't work and can create more problems than it prevents. I certainly think that will be the case if Los Gatos goes down this path. Jenna Skinner Director Gatos de la Noche 1 Subject: FW: Proposed Animals and Fowl Ordinance in Regards to Feeding of Animals and Related Sections From: Diana Grubbs <dgrubbs.bills@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2018 10:46 AM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov> Subject: Proposed Animals and Fowl Ordinance in Regards to Feeding of Animals and Related Sections Aitacr,nentt, available until Sep 29. 2018 Dear Mayor Rennie, Vice Mayor Leonardis and Council Members Spector, Sayoc and Jensen, I am writing to you in regards to the proposed Animal and Fowl ordinance, specifically section 40.10.085 relating to the feeding of animals, and any related section. I respectfully request that this ordinance or section of the ordinance be continued so that it may have the proper attention involving stakeholders and people familiar with how a feeding ban will adversely affect residents, their properties, and the Community Cat population in our town. I understand that there is a problem in the neighborhood of Towne Terrace and Avery and I would like to propose a workable solution. I have done mitigation work as a volunteer, in areas with issues that mirror those at Towne Terrace and Avery and have found the following suggestions to be effective in addressing immediate as well as long-term concerns. First, the proposed ordinance will not address the situation, but a mitigation strategy coupled with a coordinated Trap Neuter Return effort will. There are existing laws that can be enforced to address the person that is littering cat food in that area. She is not feeding cats in conjunction with a Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program, and is often leaving "food" that they do not or should not eat (milk, wet food left in cans which is dangerous for cats because they cut their tongues and faces, food strewn about). This is not helping cats and it is detrimental to neighbors and wildlife. This person is close to 80 years old, and it appears that she needs help. She has not listened to rescue group volunteers who have tried to guide her in the past. We need a more concentrated effort to approach her and we have agencies and groups poised to help: Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) and a smaller 501(c)3 rescue group, as well as other volunteers with various affiliations. These groups have also committed to being involved in a coordinated Community Cat Colony Management Program in that neighborhood. This program would involve getting all cats fixed and setting up a proper feeding program, in accordance with guidelines established by San Jose Animal Care and Services (SJACS), which is our contracted animal control agency for Los Gatos. This feeding will not attract wildlife. In particular, the small rescue group that I mention has experience in managing colonies without attracting wildlife. Regarding the ordinance, which I consider a separate project, this needs more consideration in order to not upend the existing, working solutions for cat population management in other parts of town. I understand that the ordinance was revised again last week, from the version currently available to the public, and I am not able to access it as I write this letter in order to make the Thursday morning deadline for submitting comments to Council. I understand that some changes may have been made to allow feeding and colony management on private property with consent of the owner, but for multi -unit properties the ordinance proposes that consent be given by every resident of that property. Due to 1 the burden and unrealistic assertion that this can be achieved, it is in effect a feeding ban, which will cause problems for our town by way of a Community Cat population increase, nuisance behaviors increasing, and more kittens needing rescue resources because TNR/feeding would not be allowed on these properties. Just this week a resident from the Towne Terrace / Avery neighborhood called a rescue group volunteer to report a litter of kittens, 2 that have already been hit and killed by cars. This can be addressed if a proper colony management program is put in place. Imagine what this implementation would look like if all tenants had to agree to the process. Who would design and schedule meetings for residents to be educated about TNR? How would schedules of all tenants be considered? What if one person chose not to respond? And what happens when a new tenant moves in? Owners or managers of multi -unit properties should not be barred from implementing a TNR process on their own properties, a process which is approved and endorsed by SJACS, our animal control agency, as well as HSSV and national organizations that have extensive data that this approach works and can be executed in a manner that will not attract wildlife. Is it legal to require this level of agreement? Multi -unit property owners currently do not need consent from their tenants for weed management plans or the pest control methods they employ. There are a vast number of working TNR / Community Cat colonies in the Bay Area alone, as well as throughout the United States and Europe: The Stanford Cat Network was established in 1989 to address Stanford campus' growing homeless cat population (now named The Feline Friends Network, see attachment), Disneyland in Anaheim CA has managed Community Cat colonies (see attachment), as do the following types of businesses throughout Santa Clara County: specialty and chain restaurants, bakeries, a mom and pop Italian deli and restaurant, Target, Walmart, Carl's Junior, Taco Bell, a trash & recycling company, a grocery store, a plumbing supply company, a lumber yard, semiconductor companies, internet companies, software and hardware companies, car repair shops, car manufacturing companies, mobile home parks, apartment and condominium complexes, parks, the Los Gatos Creek trail in Campbell, public schools, private schools, and more backyards than you can imagine. Even the Colosseum (not the one in Oakland) has a managed cat colony (see attached). Please consider creating a task force of sorts, to determine what, if anything, needs to be adjusted in the applicable section(s) of the ordinance. Most towns do not have ordinances that specifically call out Colony Management programs, but if you feel it is important to make adjustments, then there are great ways to word them to protect and preserve property and resident rights, as well as practice humane and compassionate programs. What I like best about Trap Neuter Return / Community Cat Management Programs is that they are the most effective way to keep the cat population down and create a win -win solution for residents and cats. It works for people who like cats and it works for people who dislike cats. In addition to the attachments mentioned above, I am attaching the following (all are attached in order of first mention): Mercury News story "Antioch Feral Cat Feeding Ban Proves Futile" Alley Cat Allies letter to the editor "Feeding Ban for Urbana's Cats Would Fail" Alley Cat Rescue story "Why Feeding Bans are Ineffective" I appreciate your consideration of my request and points made in my communication. Sincerely, Diana Grubbs Los Gatos Resident 19 years 2 Click to Download Click to Download Click to Download Click to Download Click to Download Click to Download LGC Stanford Cats.pdf 16.3 MB LGC Disneyland Cats.pdf 9.9 MB LGC Colosseum.pdf 3.3 MB LGC Ant:och.pdf 1:1.4roB LGC Alley Cat Allies.pdf 6.2 MB LGC Alley Cat Rescue.pdf 11.5 MB 3 Feline Friends Network - A volunteer nonprofit organization supporting a spayi... cats at Stanford — by agreement with, but not funded by, Stanford University. 8(16t18, 810 AM feetiwg, e ane Friends Netew or k HOME Mission Statement Founded on the belief that all life should be valued and treated with dignity and respect, the Feline Friends Network has a long-term commitment to the health and well-being of homeless cats on the Stanford campus. We provide a viable alternative to euthanasia, through spay/neuter, vaccination, release and feeding of unsocialized cats, and adoption of tame cats and kittens. We endeavor to promote community awareness of the responsible care and treatment of animals. Established in 1989 as the Stanford Cat Network, a 501(0(3) nonprofit, the organization has evolved to a community service and homeless cat care program now known as the Feline Friends Network, fittplifelinetriendsnetwork_orgit 'age 1 of t ABOUT US — Feline Friends Network 8/16/18, 8:03 AM ABC „; -„ „ !;,••..; r tding., and adcptioli prograir !.“•• 5',"! -Igreement with. but not landed by. Stanprd t'hiversli.() etine Friends Netiv or k History 1 What We Do 1 Why We Do It History The Network was founded in 1989, in response to concern for the health and welfare of Stanford University's growing homeless cat population. The population of homeless cats on campus had reached an estimated 1,500. The initial solution proposed by the University was to trap all the cats and convey all animals lacking a collar to the Santa Clara County Humane Society where they would be killed. Cats deemed adoptable would be held depending on space. A group of volunteers, with the assistance of the Palo Alto Humane Society, developed a plan offering a humane alternative to proposed eradication. Most of the volunteers had already been acting to trap, spay/neuter, and vaccinate the http://teltnetriendsnetwork.orgiabout-:4/ Page 1 of di ABOUT US - Feline Friends Netwo,k 811608, 803 AM cats on their own. But by forming an organization, these people developed a plan for a long term solution to the problem of abandoned pets. The founding members of the Feline Friends Network presented information and research on the management of homeless cat populations to University representatives. Together, the Network volunteers and the University came to the decision that the best long term solution was to implement a trap, spay/neuter and release program. in 1989, this strategy had already begun to gain support as the most effective and humane method of controlling homeless cat populations. The Feline Friends Network (then known as the Stanford Cat Network) was one of the first organizations to promote this strategy, which has since become a national model. Back to Top What We Do The Feline Friends Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for the homeless cats who live on Stanford University property. It is comprised of Stanford staff, students, faculty and community volunteers. By agreement with the University, the Feline Friends Network is responsible for the care of all free -roaming cats on campus. A registry of the Stanford cats and established feeding stations and schedules enable caregivers to monitor the health and well-being of the cats and identify hungry newcomers, before they are assimilated into the Campus population and reproduce. Unsocialized cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and released back into their Campus territory, where they are fed and monitored daily by Network volunteers. Every effort is made to find the owners of stray tame cats. Unclaimed tame strays and any kittens are boarded or fostered, until adoptive homes are found. No cats are euthanized, except as warranted by a veterinarian to relieve suffering. http:fifelinefriendsnetwork.org,labout-usi Page 2 of tit ABOUT US— Feline Friends Network 8;16118, 8:03 AM Studies have proven that trap -vaccinate -alter -release or "1-VAR" is the single most successful method of stabilizing and maintaining healthy feral cat colonies with the least possible cost to local governments and residents, while providing the best life for the animals themselves. Back to Top Why We Do It Advantages of the Trap -Vaccinate -After -Return (TVAR), Education and Adoption Programs: 1 TVAR stabilizes the population at manageable levels. The presence of the neutered/spayed and vaccinated Stanford cats helps to stabilize the Campus population. Cats are territorial, and they may not welcome newcomers. 2. TVAR is humane to the animals and fosters compassion in the neighborhoods. 3. TVAR is more effective [1] and less costly than repeated attempts at extermination. The costs for repeatedly trapping and killing feral colonies are far higher than promoting stable, non -breeding colonies in the same location. Vacated areas are soon filled by other cats who start the breeding process over again 4. Monitoring the population for health, and vaccinating cats prevents the spread of infectious diseases. All the cats are observed on a daily basis by volunteers familiar with the individuals, and unusual behavior or appearances are reported. Sick cats can be trapped and transported for treatment. 5. Education of the public helps reduce abandonment of animals, encourages spay/neuter of pets, and helps students consider interacting with animals by volunteering without taking on a commitment they may not be prepared for. 6. Adoption helps place tame cats in need of new homes, so they do not end up homeless and reproducing on campus. http//feIinetrencenetwork or/about-us/ Page 3 of ABOUT US - Feline Friends Network 8/16/18, 8:03 AM Implementation of this program and its diligent upkeep have resulted in a healthy cat population, which is not reproducing and is steadily declining through natural attrition (death of aged cats) and adoption into homes. This successful program has been recognized nationally as a model for the care and management of homeless cats. References 1. Zaunbrecher, K., Smith, R., "Neutering of Feral Cats as an Alternative to Eradication Programs". Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), Vol.203, No.3, August 1, 1993:449-452. 2. Jochle, W., Jochle, M., "Reproduction in a feral cat population and its control with a protactin inhibitor. 2nd International Symposium on Canine and Feline Reproduction, Belgium. 3. Pedersen, N., Feline Husbandry. American Veterinary Publications, 1991:3-12. 4. Berkeley, E.P., Maverick Cats. New England Press, 1982. 5. Handy, F.L., "Measuring your community's pet population, owner attitudes". Shelter Sense, Vol.16, No.5, May 1993:3-12. 6. Mosier, J.E., Williams, L.W., Nassar, R., "Study of feline and canine populations in the Greater Las Vegas Area." Am. J. Vet. Res., VoI.45, No.2, 1984:282-7. 7. Johnson, K., Lewellen, L., Lewellen, J., "National Pet Alliance's Survey Report on Santa Clara County's Pet Population." The CFA Almanac, Jan. 1994. 8. Holton, L., Manzoor, P., "Managing and Controlling Feral Cat Populations". Veterinary Forum, March 1993. 9. Clifton Merritt, Editor, Animal People on AOL, Dec. 1, 1994, Pet Care - Animals and Society Board. Back to Top htto://fel,nefriendsnetwork.orglabout-usi Page 4 of lit Hertz Hertz + Hotel Gift Offer. E am A 550 Hotel Gift Card When You Rent A TiptidS'ize Car Or Larger For 3+ Days. Terms Apply. About From a Cat's Point of View The Disneyland Cats have been around for as long as any of us can remember. Our ancestors lived in Sleeping Beauty Castle before we were unceremoniously evicted. Ever since then, we've prowled the streets and walkways of Disneyland (and more recently Disney California Adventure). When it comes right down to it, we run the place. Without us, rodents would run amuck and the entire population of Disneyland would be a lot less cute, We put up with the humans visiting our quarters, but only because they leave at night. There are magical food stations positioned for us ail around the property, and we get to eat whenever we like. Nowhere is off limits to us. Disneyland is OUR land, And we try our best to forget it was "all started by a mouse." From a Human's Point of View* (* Note: Remember to take everything humans say with a grain of salt. They're not the brightest.) It's impossible to pinpoint exactly when the first cats started to appear on Disneyland property, but there have been sightings going as far back as 1955. Soon after Disneyland opened, Walt decided that there should be an attraction inside of the park's most prominent "weenie," Steeping Beauty Castle. When he brought imagineers into the castle to begin the planning littplidisneylandcats.corniabouti Our Recent Tweets Tweets by '11>Olsneyiandnals Coto of Disneyland ecilimaylancicais If you are doing anything other than sleeping under a bush today, you we truly insane Jui f3, 2 410 Cats of Disneyland Odg:wleyland(.:atz Thanks to @saraknoonan94 for this photo of Emmett chilling around Trade Sams. Remember to email your pictu o cstsofdisneyland@gma.corn Embed View on Two Order a T-Shirt Page 1 of "eliminate" the problem without considerable uproar from guests. The immediate solution was to adopt out all the cats to cast members, ensure them good homes, and so free up some valuable real estate. They dealt with the flea problem as quickly as possible too. •mratectcl FUN, EEL-0000 ritAICALV Meanwhile, being an outdoor theme park with lands meant to simulate rustic situations, Disneyland had developed a bit of a rodent problem. While the irony was lost on no one in the company, Disneyland had mice running around —and we're not talking about Mickey and Minnie. There were also still pienty of feral cats on property who hadn't set up shop in the castle. The cats were smart and realized they'd found a decent hunting ground on a property that was free of all the typical dangers stray cats have to face. They were able to emerge at night to a relatively empty park, and they could hunt in peace (https;fiteespring,comistoresidlcats)lt was around this time that someone in the Disney company must have had a pretty brilliant idea. The cats weren't bothering anyone —feral cats, by nature, are scared of humans —and they were doing a much better job with pest control than any human exterminators were likely to do. So the cats were put to work. More accurately, they were allowed to continue doing the work they were already doing, but now it was with Disney's blessing, and some payment. A relationship between the company and the Disneyland Cats was established tnat still operates in basically the same fashion today. Feeding stations were set up around the property where the cats could get their fill when they couldn't subsist on hunting alone. The cats were all captured and spayed/neutered before being released back out onto the grounds so that the cat population would remain under control. The cast members at Circle D Ranch (the same cast members who iook after the Main Street trolley horses hi to! //clisieylandcats.corrtabouti atri .corn/p181m0b9 Like Us on Facebook (https&JAvww.facebook.corni 1111111.1711.11rHe ftglie111111.11.11111 Be t.he first of your !sends to like tilts Sponsored by Young Mouse ' 20f a L6dion ?Tie (https://wAw amazon (.-..ornigp, iseUTF88,camp- I 789&creati lilinkCodeH&tag.wanderingr 208(linkld=l Ilinkidll) Page 2 of 10 3 About 1 The Cats of Disneyland 8/30/18, 9:37 AM and the goats at Big Thunder Ranch, etc.) help manage the cats. They give them medcal treatment if necessary, keep the food refilled, and generally look after Disneys herd. The cats actually live a pretty mundane life, similar to most other feral cats you might have in your neighborhood Of course, they do so in the Happiest Place on Earth. They generally stay hidden out of sight during the day and only come out at night. There are exceptions, of course., and guests have been known to spot cats sleeping in the parks or otherwise slinkng around property As a general rule, Disney doesn't encourage guests to get too close to the cats In addition to the simple fact that it's never smart to try to pet a cat you aon't know, these cats are often better off remaining solitary If cats start to appear too comfortable around humans, Disney will adopt them out to cast members. Tne same is true of any new itters of kittens that are accidentally born on property It is estimated that the current cat population on Disneyland property is about 200. Some of the feeding station locations where guests are most likely to spot a cat include ones near the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Disneyland, Taste Pilot's Grill at DCA and White Water Snacks at the Grand Californian. Cats can also otter) be spotted in the Rose Court Garden at the Disneyland Hotel and in the ditch that runs parallel to the path for the Mickey and Friends Tram. Shop Here (http://arnzn.tof2i86hPW) to Support Our Site (and Buy Something for Your Cat!) Shop Related Products Go West. Yourg Mouse The thermal ts;ttr:.t,aaz�s artsysters i33�1!r,,cc�ri Yv,.ro4-"kx:ae Share m Follow m htt p: //di sney l a ndcats. com /about t Bias Butra,o Wtidien-Ress High P •41 AmazonBasta Pet Oster Sunny Seat Training arc Puppy Wmiav-Morena Pacts, Fresh Scent, i—irtp rear-os. rrtr feat -us- SUAltiVS>rt- coot9120) sielt e:on- e09ystem coiSli b) ,k<x ss-r'roteu-:i edsystem rmihr rci, S.:i rN-Wnclow- reruakerMp%3Rsia re0JRt=nrw.63A n2 ,efUR1. ittt::s53 F•i2 apt -Ater Disneyian* t`atoring Boot. Euratsatrenhebe:ago .. hianiiton Coloring Boot. P•i Ei itatastrophteGesigr. Pretty titer Lisrs Cot' nnq 8-. "c ucatast;rphsDesign Etsy or mx west elm good SHOP Page 3 of $ 3 The-Colosseum.net:The cats of the Colosseu 8130/18, 12:22 AM 0 Loadin Ima . e... 11? TH 1i�.net the resourceful sr"te on the Colosseum T -C Show 111 • tlistur FE LI S :.E / M .net 300.000 cats live in the Eternal City; 180.000 in the houses and 120.000 in the streets. The latest animal census was commissioned by the Office for Animal Rights of the capital, and counted more than 4.000 colonies of cats. Cats are omnipresent in Rome; they can rightly be considered citizens and a symbol of the Eternal City. They are so popular that a regional law states that a group of more than 5 cats in the natural urban habitat constitutes a protected feline colony. There the animals are entitled to food, shelter and protection, and cannot be evicted. In exchange. cats have to accept hygienic rules and ... sterilization. This latter measure should keep the feline population under control, so that it can thrive. Romans generally love cats, because they are gradetal4 k. clean and keep the rats at bay, but they are not always welcome and there are some criminals (now it is a crime) who poison or beat them. In Rome there are thousands of people who voluntarily feed, provide medical care and sterilize cats. Once they used to be mainly women (so-called "gattare"), but now both sexes are represented. Some of them have created an association, the ARCA, that counts 1000 members. See this site for an example. About 200 cats live in the Colosseum. They are rather happy and healthy. One of the gattare who feed and pamper them appears in the pictures on the right. She is a shy lady who knows all of her friends by name. As you can see the cats not only receive canned food, but also fresh liver and meat, and lots of loving care. htto://www.the-colosseum_netlaround/gatti en.htm Page 1 of Antioch feral cat feeding ban proves futile - The Mercury News 8/29/18, 9:50 PM Antioch feral cat feeding ban proves futile By NATE GARTRELL I ngartrell@bayareanewsgroup.com Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: December 24,2014 at 10:58 am I UPDATED: August 12, 2016 at 4:54 am ANTIOCH — Take a walk down Antioch's waterfront, and you're sure to be greeted by a motley crew of feral felines. For years, hundreds of these free -roaming cats have permeated the city, many of them unwanted pets dumped during the housing crisis. https://www.mercurynews.ctlm/2U14/12/24/antioch-feral-cat-feeding-ban-proves-futile/ Page 1 of 61 Antioch feral cat feeding ban proves futile - The Mercury News 8129118, 9:50 PM Everyone agrees the cats are overpopulated, and volunteers from various homeless animal rescue groups have trapped and neutered hundreds of them as a form of population control. But now those volunteers have acquired an "outlaw" status themselves, over their refusal to abide by a city ordinance banning feeding of feral cats on public land. "I guess we're supposed to stop feeding the cats and watch them all die," said Homeless Animal Response Program volunteer Ray Zeeb, who was issued a warning citation this fall for feeding ferals. "But my Christian attitude just won't allow me to do that." The City Council passed the ban on feeding feral cats back in April, hoping it would put a damper on the feral cat overpopulation. But the results haven't been satisfactory for anyone involved. ADVERTISMI Opponents of the ban have simply ignored it without much consequence, while city officials admit they don't have the resources to enforce the law. And feeders — many of whom are volunteers who used to work closely with animal services — now feel disenfranchised. "It was a poor business decision, it's unethical, it's immoral and it's cruel," HARP President Karen Kops said of the ban. https:l/www.mercurynews.com/2014/12/24/antioch-feral-cat-feeding-ban-proves-futile/ Page 2 of Antioch feral cat feeding ban Droves futile- The Mercu*'y News 8/29118, 9:50 PM Volunteers with HARP and the Homeless Animals' Lifeline Organization say the ban casts a negative light on the spay/neuter work they do to control feral populations. But Antioch Animal Services Supervisor Monika Helgemo said the public feeding helped attract more ferais to downtown and caused other problems. "If these groups would actually look at what they've done for the last 10 years, they'll know why this ordinance was put into place," Helgemo said. "You can't even enjoy the riverfront without raccoons and skunks coming out, and poles sprayed with urine, I think it's gotten out of hand." But Helgemo refused to say whether she thought the ban was a good policy, and admitted that her department was too underfunded and understaffed to enforce it. "We have better things to do than sit around there at 8 at night and wait for them to feed cats," she said, citing, for example, responding to animal abuse calls. San Jose Animal Care & Services Director Jon CicireIli, who lectures on feral cats, said cats don't usually form colonies unless they're fed by people, but that history has shown feeding bans are unenforceable. And even if the city was able to enforce it, feeders could simply move their stations to private land and bring the cat colonies with them, which does nothing to address the underlying issue of feral overpopulation. HARP volunteer Susan Smith said her group has several feeding stations on private property, with owner permission. "Banning feeding is pointless," Cicirelli said. "Human behavior is what it is, and people are not going stop feeding cats they've been feeding for 10 years because of a law." https://www.mercurynews.com/2014/12/24/ antioch-feral-cat-feeding• bar:-proves-tu tile/ Page 3 0 Antioch feral cat feeding ban Droves futile - The Mercury News 8/29/18, 9:50 PM To that point, many HARP and HALO volunteers have developed a bond with the cats over the years. Smith, who organized a small demonstration against the feeding ban in October, has named many of the cats, and keeps medical records and vaccine schedules for them. She says she doesn't like the "feral" label, and her fellow volunteers see themselves as caretakers of animals that have been abandoned by most of society. City Manager Steve Duran said the original problem wasn't folks doing trap -neuter -return, known as TNR, but rather "rogue feeders" who were indiscriminately throwing food around. He said that the city would do more to enforce the ban once more revenue comes in at the end of the year, and that he's hopeful for a compromise, if HARP and HALO volunteers can agree to work within the confines of the ordinance and abandon their public feeding stations. Smith says her group polices so-called "rogue feeders," and that members have met several times with police and city officials, but they weren't able to come to a consensus. Antioch police Lt. Tony Morefield, who sat in on the meetings, said folks doing TNR work won't be cited for baiting their cat traps with food. "Those are really different concepts — baiting a trap is not feeding on public property," Morefield said. "What we're talking about are the people who are continuing to go out and establish feeding stations on public lands, outside of actual good TNR work and baiting traps. I think there's a pretty clear distinction." Contact Nate Gartrell at 925-779-7174, and follow him on Twitter at Twiitter.com/NateGartreil. SPONSORED CONTENT https:f/www.mercurynews.corn/2014/12J24Jantioch-feral-cat-feeding-ban-proves-futile/ Page 4 of 4 Alley Cat Allies Letter to the Editor Feeding ban for Urbana's cats would fail 8/16/18, 803 AM Alley Cat Allies ABOUT searc PRESS Resources Our Stories Ways to Shop Work Give Omen %AP 4t, I uj m S4 Sa ‘." 4 a Feesins ian for r ana's c.ts would ail January 30, 2018 Published in rhe Urbana Daily itiz n on January 26, 2018 We applaud the city of Urbana for taking a proposed feeding ban off the table, voting it down unanimously, and instead exploring implementing Trap -Neuter -Return (TNR). TNR has widespread community support, and the citizens of Urbana understand that it's a much better option for their community. TNR is the process in which community cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, eartipped (to indicate that they have https://wwwalleycatorgiletter-to-the-edito--feeding-ban-for-urbanas-Cats-would-fati News Categories Alley Cat Allies Our Work Take Action Becky's Blog Press Releases Plan to Scan Page 1 ofa. At:ey Cat Mies Letter to the Editor: Feeding ban for Urbana's cats would fail 8/16118, 8:03 AM been neutered and vaccinated). and returned to their outdoor homes. it is the only scientifically proven, humane, effective approach for community cats, also called feral or outdoor cats. Studies show that it effectively stabilizes community cat populations, reduces shelter intake and the number of cats killed, cuts down on calls to animal control, and saves taxpayers money. TNR is good for cats and the community. Starving cats through feeding bans is cruel, and it has proven ineffective. These bans deprive cats of their regular food source, increasing calls to animal control because cats become more visible scavenging for food. Punitive ordinances like feeding bans waste taxpayer money while punishing good Samaritan caregivers who are making the community a better place for cats and people. TNR is practiced in thousands of towns and cities, and we have tracked more than 650 communities that have adopted official TNR policies and ordinances. As the world's leading cat advocacy organization, Alley Gat Allies has helped hundreds of communities establish TNR programs, and would be happy to help Urbana do the same. Becky Robinson President and Founder Alley Cat Allies Letters to the Editor I Op-Eds Share this News https://www.alleycat.orgiletter-to-the-editor-reeding-ban-for-urbanas-oats-would-faill Page 2 of to„ Alley Cat Rescue 806/18, 8:05 AM HOME OUR WORK SPAY/NEUTER COMMUNITY CATS CAT HEALTH CAT BEHAVIOR DONATE ALLEY 3AT ESCUE Ali AL11IW I f L. CAr. "\DI Ci►()h► News Update (/news-update.html} Search Q --+ Cats available for adoption • Please visit our 0 http:ifwww.saveacat.org; Page 1 of 41 Why Feeding Bans are Ineffective 806/18, 8,04 AM HOME OUR WORK SPAY/NEUTER COMMUNITY CATS CAT HEALTH CAT BEHAVIOR DONATE http://w'ww.saveacat.erg; iews-update; why -feeding -bans -are -ineffective Why Feeding Bans are Ineffective 3/14/2018 Comment Proposed bans on the feeding of feral cats have come up time and time again as a potential solution to cat overpopulation. These bans incorrectly assume that if people stop feeding feral cats, they will simply leave the area and the problem will be over. This is not the case. Feeding bans are not only ineffective, but cruel. They suddenly cut off an expected source of food for cats and criminalize compassion. Alley Cat Rescue opposes feeding bans and is working towards ensuring more cities implement trap -neuter -return as a humane solution to cat overpopulation. Cats are scavengers and will search to find food. If 0 Page z(4- 1 Why seeding Bans are ineffective 8/16118, B:04 AM a feed ng ban is enacted, the cats often will stay in the area and find a new source of food. The cats will eat garbage, scraps or other animals which do not provide cats with the nutrients they need. Malnourished cats are more susceptible to diseases and parasites. Because feeding bans do not address reproduction at all, the malnourished cats will often give birth to sick kittens who will die at a young age. Feeding bans actually create more nuisance behaviors than they eliminate. The bans encourage cats to search through garbage, faits to spay/neuter cats and leads to the spread of diseases. Cats without a solid source of food will wander around towns more than cats who have an area where they know they will be fed at. The feeding bans also make :rap -neuter -return (TNR) almost impossible because the cat caretakers cannot lure the cats to the traps with wet food. TNR ends these nuisance behaviors white also stopping reproduction. Cat caretakers are compassionate people who want to help cats in their area. Compassion should not be criminalized but encouraged. Without cat caretakers feeding and TNRing cats, many more cats would suffer. Further, the enforcement of feeding bans is very difficult and resource intensive. Areas that want to address cat overpopulation should instead implement TNR. If your town or city is considering a feeding ban please reach out to your government and tell them: • Feeding bans punish compassionate people htip:i/www.saveacat.orgfnews-update vvny-feeding-bans-are-ineffective PagetAig 3- Why Feeding Bans are Ineffective 8/1608, 8:04 AM htt p://www.saveacat.org/news-updatetwhy-feeding-bans-are-ineffective • Feeding bans do not address reproduction and nuisance behaviors • Cats wilt not leave areas with feeding bans • You support TNR as a humane solution to cat overpopulation 1 Comment (//wvvw.saveacat.org/news-update/w+ry- feediho-bans-are-ineffective#carrirnents) Irene Mendoza 3/15:2013 1M0:15 am Best documented argument I've ever heard about TNR and being compassionate towards homeless cats. Thank you REPLY Leave a Reply. Page 9a( LI