9.2. SR 07-17-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Elk — River Request for Action To Item Number Mayor and City Council 9.2 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Work SessionJuly 17, 2017 Chris Leeseber , Senior Planner Item Description Reviewed by Feeding Wildlife and Feral Animals Zack Carlton, Planning Manager Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Action Requested Receive information and provide staff with direction regarding the feeding of wildlife and feral animals within city limits. Background/Discussion In February 2017, Linda Lee contacted the Mayor and city staff regarding the issue of feeding feral cats. She wanted an ordinance drafted prohibiting this activity. A feral animal is an animal living in the wild descended from domestication and survives on their own in the wild. A feral cat is a cat who has either never had any contact with humans or contact with humans has diminished over time. Harboring Staff indicated to Ms. Lee the city can address the harboring of the cats with the two definitions of kennels outlined in the ordinance. Kennel, commercial, means any premises where more than three animals over six months of age are boarded, trained or bred for compensation or are offered for sale, except for animals being raised as agricultural livestock, an animal hospital, a veterinary clinic or a pet shop. Kennel, private, means any premises where more than three dogs or three cats over the age of six months are harbored or kept, except for a commercial kennel. Any premises of ten acres or more that are used to harbor or keep up to ten cats over the age of six months shall be excluded from this definition as long as all of the cats have been spayed or neutered. The key number in both definitions is three. If a property owner has more than three cats (the types of cats are not specified), they would be considered either a private or commercial kennel. The city could then regulate the number of cats, over three, through a land use process. The term kennel does not mean a physical barrier to contain animals, it is a term associated with defining private vs commercial. Other sections of the ordinance address animals running at large but this would only pertain to animals owned by someone. P a w E R E U 6 Y NaA f RE]