A Mandate for Starvation

On February 24, 2026, at 2:00 PM, the Kern County Board of Supervisors will vote on an amendment to the parks ordinance. This proposal seeks to prohibit the public from feeding any "wild animal", including domestic cats, within all County parks and buildings.

While the stated goal is to manage raccoon populations, the reality is a starvation mandate that creates several dangerous unintended consequences:

• Aggressive Wildlife: Depriving raccoons of a consistent food source will force them into high-traffic public areas in search of scraps, leading to increased aggression toward park visitors.
• Predation of Cats: Starving raccoons are significantly more likely to hunt and kill the park's cat population, creating a gruesome environment for families and children visiting the park.
• Inhumane Treatment: Abandoning known, managed colonies to slow starvation is a violation of the spirit of California Penal Code § 597 (Animal Cruelty).

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The Fiscal Reality: A $332,000 Revenue Leak

The County is focusing enforcement on compassionate volunteers while ignoring the actual crime: illegal animal abandonment (California Penal Code § 597s).

• 332+ Cats abandoned annually (based on recent data).
• $1,000 Minimum Fine per abandonment under state law.
• $332,000 Potential Revenue for the County if they cited dumpers.
• $0.00 Revenue gained by targeting volunteers and park visitors.

By targeting those who feed, the County is leaving over $300,000 in potential annual revenue on the table—funds that could be used for proper TNR programs and public education.
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Unintended Consequences of Enforcement
Current enforcement by Park Rangers has already led to:

• Excessive Force: Documentation of Rangers placing hands on firearms during routine interactions with 65-year-old disabled volunteers.
• Retraumatization: Harassment of residents with documented law-enforcement-related PTSD.

Lack of Transparency: No public accountability for incidents involving the shooting of animals on park grounds by officials.
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Our Demand

We, the residents of Kern County, demand the Board of Supervisors:

1. Reject the feeding ban and support expanded, authorized TNR locations.
2. Redirect Enforcement: Focus Ranger efforts on citing animal abandonment ($1,000 fine per offense).
3. Mandate Training: Require de-escalation and trauma-informed training for all Park Rangers.

By signing, I signify I am a Kern County resident in opposition to this ordinance.

URGENT: CONTACT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TODAY!
Signing this petition is the first step, but we need you to speak up directly. Please contact the Board members before the February 24th hearing to tell them you oppose the feeding ban and support humane TNR and criminal abandonment enforcement.

Visit the Kern County Board of Supervisor's contact page at:
https://www.kerncounty.com/government/board-of-supervisors/general-board-information/contact-board-of-supervisors

and say:

Subject: Opposition to Proposed Parks Ordinance Amendment (Feb 24th Meeting)

"Dear Supervisor, As a Kern County resident, I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed amendment to the parks ordinance that would prohibit the feeding of cats. This 'starvation mandate' is inhumane and ignores the real problem: criminal animal abandonment.

Please reject the feeding ban and instead focus enforcement on citing those who illegally dump animals (CPC 597s). We want a county that prioritizes humane management and public safety over the harassment of volunteers."