Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending Olympia Municipal Code Sections 6.04.030 and 6.04.040 Relating to Joint Animal Services and Regarding Definitions, Licensing and Registration Requirements to Support the Community Cat Program
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to adopt on second reading, the Ordinance relating to Animal Services regarding definitions and licensing and registration requirements by amending OMC 6.04.030 and 6.04.040 to support the Joint Animal Services community cat program.
Report
Issue:
Whether to adopt on second reading, the Ordinance relating to Animal Services regarding definitions and licensing and registration requirements by amending OMC 6.04.030 and 6.04.040 to support the Joint Animal Services community cat program.
Staff Contact:
Mark Barber, City Attorney, 360.753.8338
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Background and analysis have not changed from first to second reading.
“Community cats” are outdoor, free-roaming cats that live in and are cared for by the community. While cared for by individuals, a community cat is not a pet and is not owned by any individual. For decades, community cats have been trapped and removed in a failed attempt at population management, which causes shelters to struggle with resources, staffing, and space to keep up with the number of cats coming into the shelter.
The most common approach for managing community cats is the catch-and-kill method which relies on an ineffective and expensive model where animal control officers round up cats (generally based on nuisance complaints), attempt to adopt out the cats as appropriate, and then euthanize the remaining cats at the local animal shelter. However, data continues to demonstrate that the catch-and-kill method does not work to control cat populations as cats reproduce faster than a typical animal control department can catch them.
To address the failures of the catch-and-kill method, communities have increasingly turned to Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR), which has proven effective for managing community cat population. TNVR is a non-lethal, decentralized technique employed by community members for managing community cats. The cats are humanely trapped, spayed, or neutered by a licensed veterinarian, ear-tipped (to signal that the cats have been sterilized and vaccinated for rabies), and returned to where they were trapped. In addition to being a more humane option, TNVR can also reduce the costs required for animal control and sheltering.
Municipalities that have implemented TNVR have successfully controlled community cat populations, and the Olympia Municipal Code Chapter 6.04 should be amended to update definitions and language to support a new, lifesaving cat program at JAS called the community cat program.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
TNVR programs are community-based, with residents typically bringing community cats to a local clinic, and successful community cat programs lead to a dramatic decrease in nuisance complaints.
Options:
1. Move to adopt on second reading, the Ordinance amending OMC 6.04.030 and 6.04.040 to support the Joint Animal Services community cat program.
2. Direct staff to modify the Ordinance and adopt on second reading, as amended.
3. Do not approve the ordinance. The community cat program will not be implemented in the Olympia Municipal Code.
Financial Impact:
TNVR programs have been found to reduce costs required for animal control and sheltering. Any cost savings for the City are unknown.
Attachments:
Ordinance