Sec. 3-60. - Findings, purpose and intent.

(a)

The city council finds and determines that:

(1)

Due to the large number of stray and abandoned cats, euthanasia is not a cost effective, acceptable or ethical solution to the threats of public health and safety posed by large populations of stray domestic animals.

(2)

Stray and abandoned pets, specifically cats, create numerous public health and safety problems, including transmission of disease and traffic hazards created by cats running loose on public streets.

(3)

A permit system for breeding of cats owned or harbored in the city combined with a program for spaying/neutering is a reasonable and effective means of reducing the population of abandoned or stray cats, and for eliminating the practice of euthanizing homeless cats except those for whom euthanasia is an escape from suffering or necessary to protect people and/or other animals from vicious behavior.

(b)

Declaration of intent. The city council hereby finds and declares that it intends to provide for the public health, safety and welfare through a program requiring spaying and neutering cats unless appropriate permits are acquired.

(Ch. 449, § I, 5-6-08)