Demand that these cats be returned to there home !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was after they cleaned up the mess the animal control did by catching the cats with poles and tearing down the tarps

 

 

 

§ 91.021 - LIMITING THE NUMBER OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS.
 
 
(A)

It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to possess, own or otherwise keep within the city more than 4 animals of the same species in any developed, residential zoned section or to keep more than 6 animals of the same species, excluding livestock, in an area zoned agricultural-residential which exceeds 1 acre except in cases of newly born or hatched litters or clutches under the age of 3 months old.

(B)

Exception shall be made for fostering of animals by a Humane Society or Animal Shelter meeting the following criteria:

(1)

Letter from sponsoring agency;

(2)

Total of 6 animals of any species including personal pets;

(3)

Must have proof of rabies vaccination for each fostered animal over 4 months of age; and

(4)

Fostered animals allowed on premises no longer than 12 months.

(C)

This section shall not apply to commercial kennels, veterinary establishments or animal hospitals operated by a licensed veterinarian or pet shops and grooming shops located on property zoned for such purposes. Such establishments must meet sanitation requirements and keep animals securely caged or penned.

(D)

This section shall not apply to any feral cat caregiver managing a registered feral cat colony as part of an authorized trap, neuter, and return program.

(E)

This section shall not apply to any municipally owned or operated shelter.

(Ord. 2013-731, passed 2-14-13)  

After they took custody of the 10 that were surrender they took 5 days to have them looked at by a vet and the vet said they

1. They were malnourished 
2. Fleas
3. Dirty and matted fur 
4. Covered in Feces
5. Severe URI  

I had called animal control officer Mike without telling him who I was or that I was assisting Mr. Lawrence with the feral cats that were on his patio  and getting them into a TNR Program (trap, neuter, release) I told him that I was interested in moving to Kirby, but I wanted to know what the rules and regulations were for a cat colony and the cat caregiver, and if there were rules where if they were allowed to roam free, or if they need to be any catio of some sort like a patio so they weren’t roaming free and causing a public nuisance or if they even had any laws for feral cats (even tho I already knew they had laws they adopted) 

He told me he’s never had anyone ask him about feral cats or if they were allowed and I then asked them if they had a TNR program   Since it states in the codes that they adopted it states one would be established but I guess the funds aren't there because he said they don't which I already knew of course but I then offered to get one established and run it for them and he said that would be great but he would have to talk to another person who I guess is his boss and that he would get back to me. I spoke to him on a Friday he didn't call me until Wednesday by then I had already spoken with my contact at SAFCC and she let me know that mike had told her that he adopted out 7 of the 10 cats and the other 3 were euthanized due to being sick and unable to be adopted out (then why did they say it cost 300 for each of those cats) and why didn't they keep them as evidence since Do they want to take Mr. Lawrence to court? Since they used those 10 cats that were surrendered to them were healthy

I even talked to the neighbors and asked them what could be done to prevent the cats from going to animal control told them about TNR and that I wanted to get a  program started in Kirby. They seemed okay with it but they tried to convince me that he was a hoarder and that he was sick because of the cats and that they made a promise to his mom so this is what they had to do. 

They called Mr Lawrence when one of the mama cats was giving birth in their backyard and asked him to take the cat because of their dogs  & the other mama cat brought her kittens from 2 doors down to Mr. Lawrence's door when they were old enough and he showed proof that the cats were clean and healthy and that's why I believe he isn't a hoarder. he loves those cats the neighbors didn't fix the cats or offer to fix but they took one of the orange kittens and said they didn't want the rest the neighbors and told me that Mr. Lawrence stole the cats and they had to steal one baby back! Lies they should have offered to help fix the kittens that they had because they didn't get mamas fixed instead they let it happen and then turn around and report him that is just wrong!!

 

I've asked mike if I could relocate the cats and even had my contact at SAFCC send out an email to everyone to get them relocated but mike refuses to answer my calls

 Idk if the cats are even alive. 

They now are telling mr. Lawrence that he needs to have his home professionally cleaned in and out and that he needs to pay the city over 5000 for the surrender fee and care of the animals. 

 

I am trying to save these cats and bring light to a town that does what they want even tho they have laws they make everyone else follow. 

Cats are not for everyone but they are amazing cats and TNR Should be somewhere when they get released they are safe and not able to cause problems and be looked over by a caregiver. 

Mr Lawrence was approached by animal control and code compliance officer and he was asked to surrender 10 cats who were healthy when he surrendered them . He was then told they would be back in 7 days to check the house that's when they tore up the flooring and moved the cats outside onto the huge patio. They didn't impound the cats then either or say anything about it except that he had to many domestic animals and that they weren't fixed or had rabies They then got 6 of them into a program and they were TNR but they lost contact with the girl who was helping them do that. 
They said they were going to come impound the cats when they came back in 7 days  they just took pictures of the home
They then had another meeting which was MR Lawrence first meeting and at that meeting they said the cats that were surrendered to them were sick which cost them 300.00 each cat the cats were being treated for uri and that he had more cats in his home and it was a violation of to many domesticed animals and was told to get rid of the cats within 20 days or the animal control would do it.....

Thats when I saw the video in January and I went to Mr Lawrence home and asked if I could help and he said yes.... I then reached out to SAFCC and explained what was going on and that we only had 30 days to relocate the cats
Mr Lawrence then surrendered 5 more kittens and we began fixing the cats in a TNR program and ones that got approved for adoption would go to a foster with SAFCC and the ones who didn't would be returned to Mr Lawrence and we would try to find a place they could relocated. The lady at SAFCC contacted animal control officer Mike and told they had someone who was assisting Mr Lawrence in getting the cats TNR and I sent him a email with her Contact info and feel free to contact her if he had any questions or concerns.  She spoke with him and told her the 10 he had adopted out 7 and euthanized 3 and told her that if they impounded the cats they would euthanized except 4 that's when she stopped scheduling but she sent out a plea email to a bunch of rescues to get thr cats relocated and said that SAFCC would pay for the surges if someone would take them but only one person said the would but they were full so couldn't do it before they impounded. I had talked to Mike same day she did but I pretended to be thinking about moving to Kirby but I was curious of the rules when it came to cats and feral cats. If they could roam free or if they needed to be safe secure structure 
I also asked if they had a TNR program when he said no I offered to get one started and maintain it and he said he would call me back.  
The following week he did and he told me that they do need one because he turns along people's way because he usually ends up euthanizing cats but he had to speak with the police chief 

 

Well after not hearing from him and knowing he had spoken with the SAFCC. He told me that they were helping with a house he was investigating 

I then told him I was the trapper who was helping Mr Lawrence and asked him about if it was OK to tnr his cats that didn't get approved for adoption and he said no they needed to be relocated and that they would get the cats if he didn't 
Well the day went by that they said they would be there so I thought he had a change of heart and I was going to start the TNR on the rest of the cats and even got SAFACC on board again but 2 days later they showed up with a warrant affidavit to seize the animals and they traumatized the cats and destroyed his home and didn't given him any paperwork or a court date but they gave him another violation 
They even took the 4 cats that he was told he could keep but he said no (not true )for them to take the cats so they had to use the warrant which said to remove all the cats and that he would be charged with animal cruelty they had another meeting but still have not given him a written notice of court date and it been almost 10 days since they impounded and they are trying to charge him a surrender fees for the cats 

 

 

 

§ 91.041 - TRAP, NEUTER AND RETURN PROGRAM.
 
 
In order to effectively and humanely control the feral cat populations within its jurisdictional boundaries, the city shall sponsor and support a trap, neuter, and return program in an effort to reduce the feral and free-roaming cat population over time without necessity of wholesale capture and euthanasia. The city may establish a fund or provide services to offset the costs of trapping, neutering, and vaccinating captured free-roaming cats that can be returned to an appropriate, controlled, protected, and authorized colony site. Registered feral cat caregivers for feral cat colonies, whether of 1 or several free-roaming cats, may be aided by the city in providing traps and transportation to a spay/neuter facility and off-setting costs, to the extent that funding is available. Left ear tipping shall be used on these cats in order to be identified as spayed or neutered and a vaccinated member of a managed colony. A photographic record adequate to identify the cat shall be obtained for all cats. This is part of the city trap, neuter and return program and maintained by the registered feral cat caregiver.

(Ord. 2013-731, passed 2-14-13)

§ 91.042 - REGISTERED FERAL CAT CAREGIVERS.
 
 
Registered feral cat caregivers shall attend 1 of the San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition workshops and shall provide information about the colony to the Animal Control Officer. Registered feral cat caregivers of a free-roaming cat or free-roaming cat colony shall be exempt under the provisions of license requirements and animal identification requirements by furnishing the Animal Control Officer with a statement agreeing to the following conditions:

(A)

Regularly feed the free-roaming cat(s) colony including weekend and holidays, ensuring sanitary conditions at all times. Colonies shall be fed using bowls, plates, pans or similar utensils to contain the food; food shall not be poured on the ground for the purpose of providing food. Food shall not be left out during hours of darkness to avoid attracting wildlife or vermin.

(B)

Regularly and frequently trap the colony cats over the age of 12 weeks for purposes of sterilization.

(C)

Identify all colony cats by having their left ear tipped when under anesthesia for sterilization.

(D)

All colony cats must be vaccinated for rabies, preferably with a 3-year vaccine.

(E)

All colony cats with illness and/or injury that cannot be provided with treatment shall be humanely euthanized by a veterinarian or animal shelter to prevent pain and suffering.

(F)

Feral cat caregivers are not permitted to release sterilized, free-roaming cats on private or public property without the permission of the property owner.

(G)

Any feral cat caregiver determined to be in violation of this section shall be issued a written warning and be permitted up to and including 30 days to achieve compliance. Failure to comply may result in the issuance of a citation.

(H)

Make every attempt to remove kittens from the colony before 8 weeks of age for domestication and placement.

(Ord. 2013-731, passed 2-14-13)

§ 91.043 - ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER/TRAP, NEUTER AND RETURN.
 
 
The Animal Control Officer shall maintain all records relating to authorized colony management in the trap, neuter and return program. Other duties shall include:

(A)

Monitor the managed cat colonies in the trap, neuter and return program, maintaining records of registered feral cat caregivers and determining the need of additional feral cat caregivers;

(B)

Help to resolve complaints over the conduct of a colony;

(C)

Maintain records and prepare quarterly reports on the following:

(1)

Number and location of managed colonies;

(2)

Total number of cats in colonies;

(3)

Number of cats and kittens spayed and neutered pursuant to the trap, neuter and return program; and

(4)

Number of cats and kittens placed in permanent homes.

(D)

After receiving the permission of the registered feral cat caregiver or a resident, the Animal Control Officer may set traps in the feral cat caregiver's/resident's yard to assist in trapping.

(Ord. 2013-731, passed 2-14-13)

§ 91.044 - ENFORCEMENT/TRAP, NEUTER AND RETURN.
 
 
(A)

The city shall retain the following rights:

(1)

The right to seize or remove cats from a colony that have not been vaccinated against rabies and/or which are demonstrating signs of the disease.

(2)

The right to seize or remove a cat or cats from a colony that are creating a public nuisance after the feral cat caregiver has been afforded 30 days to remove and relocate the cat(s) and has failed to do so.

(3)

The right to seize and remove a colony of cats when a feral cat caregiver or the Animal Control Officer is unable to provide care and management of the colony and has not been able to obtain a replacement or substitute feral cat caregiver.

(4)

The right to seize or remove cat(s) from a colony if medical care necessary to prevent pain and suffering has not or cannot be provided by a feral cat caregiver or if the Animal Control Officer has reason to believe that a cat in the colony has been cruelly treated.

(5)

The right to seize or remove cats from a colony suspected to have bitten a human being for the purposes of rabies quarantine and/or testing.

(B)

When the number of cats trapped and sterilized by the city or registered feral cat caregivers exceeds 400 in a calendar year, the city will reevaluate this program.

(Ord. 2013-731, passed 2-14-13)

 

FERAL CAT COLONY. A group of cats that congregates, more or less, together as a unit. Although not every cat in a colony may be feral, any non-feral cats that congregate with a colony shall be deemed a part of it.

FERAL CAT CAREGIVER. A volunteer, uncompensated person who agrees to facilitate the trap, neuter and return program in accordance with this chapter and any rules and regulations established by the Animal Services Manager.

FERAL CAT. A cat that exists in a wild or untamed state, either due to birth or reversion to a wild state from domestication. The usually and consistent temperament of a feral cat is extreme fear and resistance to contact with humans. Feral cats are completely or substantially unsocialized to humans

CAT COLONY. A colony of free-roaming (homeless, stray, wild or untamed) cats that has been registered with the department and is maintained by a colony caretaker (who provides food, water, and SHELTER) using trap, neuter, and return methodology.