As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
CATS
Any member of the animal species "Felis catus" six months
or more in age, both male and female.
OWNER
Any person providing care and sustenance to a cat for a period
of 15 days or longer shall be deemed the owner of such cat.
SPAY or NEUTER
A surgical procedure done by a licensed veterinarian to render
female/male cats incapable of reproducing.
No person shall own or harbor within the City
of Corning any cat over the age of six months which has not ben spayed
or neutered, unless such person holds either a permit to keep an unaltered
cat or a permit for breeding cats issued by the City Clerk.
A permit shall be issued by the City Clerk for
an unaltered cat owned or harbored in the City of Corning for the
following reasons:
A. Medical. A licensed veterinarian has determined that
a cat is medically unsuited to undergo the surgical procedure. A signed
statement from a licensed veterinarian is required and shall state
specifically the medical grounds for the exemption.
B. Temporary medical. When the cat's medical condition
is temporary in nature, the licensed veterinarian shall sign a written
statement as to the prognosis of when the surgery may be performed.
The date given on that prognosis shall become the expiration date
of the temporary medical exemption. After the period of the temporary
medical exemption, spaying or neutering shall be required, unless
a licensed veterinarian provides another temporary medical exemption
and prognosis of when surgery may be performed.
[Amended 10-5-1998 by L.L. No. 32-1998]
No person shall cause or allow any cat owned
or harbored in the City of Corning to breed without first obtaining
a breeding permit issued by the City Clerk. Each applicant who is
issued a permit to breed cats shall pay a breeding permit fee as set
forth from time to time by resolution of the City Council. Breeding permits shall be valid for 12 months, renewable
on an annual basis. All breeding permits shall contain the following
terms and conditions and be subject to all of the following requirements.
A. No offspring may be sold or adopted and permanently
placed until reaching an age of at least eight weeks.
B. No offspring may be sold or adopted until immunized
against common disease.
C. Any permit holder advertising to the public the availability
of any cat for sale or adoption must prominently display the permit
number. Further, the permit number must be provided to any person
purchasing or adopting any cat or kitten bred by the permit holder.
D. All offspring will be sold or adopted on a written
spay/neuter agreement between the new owner and the breeder in which
the new owner agrees to have offspring spayed or neutered upon reaching
the age of six months, unless the new owner obtains an unaltered cat
permit or a breeding permit.
Any violation shall be punishable as an infraction,
the penalty for which shall be a fine. Any fine for a first violation
may be dropped if the cat is spayed or neutered within 60 days. All
fines collected shall be set aside for use in a spay/neuter program
for cats in the City of Corning. Fines shall be as follows:
A. First violation: not less than $50 nor more than $100.
B. Second violation within five years: not less than
$100 nor more than $150.
C. Each additional violation within five years: not less
than $200.
[Added 9-6-2022 by L.L. No. 2-2022]
The City Manager shall establish administrative procedures to
provide for voluntary spaying and neutering of cats owned by residents
of the City of Corning, the cost of which shall be borne by the City.
These costs shall include any vaccinations required before the cats
can be returned to the owner. At a minimum, such procedures shall
require the owners of such cats seeking spay and neuter services to
provide the following information:
A. The owner's
name and address of the cat to be spayed and neutered.
B. A description
of the cat, including gender, color, and breed, if known.
C. A notarized
statement indicating the applicant is the owner of the cat to receive
spay and neuter services.
D. A notarized
authorization signed by the owner thereof consenting to such alteration
and agreeing to hold the municipality, its agents, servants and employees
harmless for any damages arising therefrom or incidental thereto.
E. Any other
information the City Manager deems necessary for the effective administration
of the spay and neuter services.
[Added 9-6-2022 by L.L. No. 2-2022]
The City Manager shall procure a third-party vendor(s) to provide
spay and neuter services. Such procurement shall provide for the regulation
of the facilities with respect to the terms and conditions, including
compensation, under which any animal will be maintained while the
animal remains in the custody of the facility.