[Adopted 4-6-1998]
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.[1] 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: The current fee schedule is included as Chapter A251, Fee Schedule, in the Appendix of this Code.
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.