(a)
Rules applicable to cats are as follows:
(1)
The feeding of cats outdoors shall take place primarily during daylight hours to minimize interactions between domestic and wild animals, which increase the risk of rabies exposure for cats. Any food provided outdoors after daylight hours shall be made available for no longer than 30 minutes, after which it shall be removed.
(2)
Feeding outdoors is only allowed when an appropriate amount of food for daily consumption of the cat being cared for is provided. Food must be appropriately placed in a sanitary container sufficient for the cat being fed. Automatic feeders that are properly maintained and secured may be used to dispense daily food rations and may be present during night hours, provided that any food so dispensed shall be removed after daylight hours.
(3)
Dumping excess quantities of food on the ground, placing excess quantities in bowls or other containers, and leaving open food packages is prohibited.
(4)
Outdoor feeding upon private property may take place only with the property owner's consent. Feeding on public property, road rights-of-way, parks, common land of a multifamily housing unit or any property without consent of the owner is prohibited.
(b)
Community cat management initiatives. The city recognizes the need for innovation in addressing the issues presented by feral, free-roaming and other community cats. To that end it recognizes that there are community care givers of cats, and acknowledges that properly managed community cats may be part of the solution to the continuing euthanasia of cats; and establishes the following requirements:
(1)
All managed community cat groups must be maintained on the private property of the caregiver, or, with permission, on the private property of another landowner (including city, state, and federal public property).
(2)
All cats that are part of community cat management programs (TNR) must be sterilized, vaccinated against the threat of rabies, and ear-tipped for easy identification. Upon meeting these requirements the community cat is exempt from licensing and from other provisions of this ordinance applying to owned animals, including the prohibition of stray and at-large animals.
(3)
A person providing care for community cats is required to provide certain necessities of care on a regular/ongoing basis, including, but not limited to, proper nutrition and medical care as needed.
a.
Food must be provided in the proper quantity for the number of cats being managed and is to be supplied no less than once per day. Food must be maintained in proper feeding containers.
b.
Water, if supplied, must be clean, potable and free from debris and algae.
c.
If shelter is provided, it shall be unobtrusive, safe, and of the proper size for the cat(s).