Conference misery::feline

    This Thursday, December 12, 1991, there will be a meeting by the Animal
    Advisory Commission to discuss Breeding Permits and Cat Registration in
    Santa Clara County, CA.  If you are a resident of Santa Clara county,
    this applies to you, whether you are a breeder or a pet owner.  The
    meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the County Government Center, 70
    West Hedding (at First Street) in the Board of Supervisors Chambers.
    
    The group will be discussing the San Mateo ordinance, and making
    recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors for possible similar
    ordinances in Santa Clara county.  They have already listed Breeding
    Ban on their agenda for this meeting.
    
    There has been quite a bit going on in our county lately.  The Board of
    Sups recently turned down a proposal to increase property taxes in our
    county to fund the Animal Control program.  They are currently looking
    for alternate ways to fund the program.  These alternate ways may end
    up including things like cat registration fees, cat licensing fees,
    breeding permit fees, litter registration fees, etc. etc.  I plan to be
    at the meeting to ensure that the Board of Sups knows how I feel about
    this.
    
    Jo
    

    I attended the meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission last night. 
    The commission meets the 2nd Thursday of the month and I plan to
    rearrange my at club schedule so that I can attend every month.  They
    have every intention of addressing the pet overpopulation issue in Sant
    Clara County, so I plan to be involved enough to help in the drawing up
    of a ordinance that will actually help with the problem.
    
    Noters who are also Santa Clara County residents might consider
    attending these meetings.  One of the things that they are planning to
    do is require registrations of cats.  Currently, the county only allows
    each resident to have TWO animals, either two dogs, *or* two cats, or
    one of each.  Mandatory registrations would be a problem for those of
    us that have more than two pets.  The county limit law would have to be
    either rescinded, or the legal number of pets you could own in the
    county would have to be raised.  The Animal Advisory commission needs
    to know how we feel about these things.  Their job is to put together
    an ordinance, and then introduce it to the Board of Supervisors.  They
    want input from the residents.  This does not affect just the breeders
    in the county, it affects every pet owner in the county. 
    
    They are also introducing a microchip implantation program at the
    humane societies in Santa Clara and South County.  Every animal that
    comes through the humane societies will be implanted with a microchip
    so that it can be identified if it ever returns to the shelter.  While
    this is a good idea, it seems to be a bit impractical since the only
    way the animal can be identified and returned to it's owner is if it
    ends up at either the Santa Clara Humane Society or the South County
    shelter.  No other shelters in the area have the device that can read
    the chip, and some of the chip readers in other counties are not on the
    same frequency as Santa Clara county is.  Also, the chip has no visible
    signs once it is in the animal, other than if it is scanned by the
    reading device, so rescue groups would have to take the animals they
    rescue to the Humane Society in Santa Clara, and other locations to
    have them scanned to see if they have the chip.  There are no outward
    signs that the chip is there.  They have put a lot of money into this 
    program, and it is already in place, so we can't change it or modify 
    it in anyway.  
    
    I would much rather see them put their money into an early spay/neuter
    program where each animal would be altered *before* they left the
    shelter, and then a massive education program to teach the public about
    pet ownership and responsibility.  I think that the emphasis should be
    on keeping the animals out of the shelter in the first place, before we
    start trying to address the issue of how to identify them once they are
    there (not that identification isn't important, you understand)
    
    Currently, the Humane Society of Santa Clara county has the county's
    Animal control contract too, and they want out of that.  The county has
    to come up with funding in order to open their own animal control
    services center.  The money for that has to come from somewhere. 
    Expect the cost of registrations to go up for dogs, and the
    implementation of a cat registration program.  Fees for unspayed and
    unneutered dogs and cats will be much higher than for altered animals.   
    They are also considering a special fee for residents that have an
    "animal menagerie", or more than a certain number of animals, and a
    special fee for "breeders".  They are also considering adding a
    mandatory rabies vaccination for cats (which CA currently does not
    have).
    
    The bottom line is that pet ownership is going to be more costly in
    this county, and that the pet overpopulation problem will be addressed. 
    If we get involved now at the start, we could help shape the upcoming
    ordinance into something that actually addresses the problem of pet
    overpopulation and not a blanket acceptance of the San Mateo
    Anti-breeding law.  Mandatory spaying and neutering doesn't have any
    affect on the thousands of homeless pets who have no owners to fine for
    not having them spayed and neutered.  
    
    Jo

    I'm especially concerned about the mandatory vaccination business as my
    Holly has reactions to vaccinations.  Does this commission have an
    address to write letters to?  Fortunately, I think their stuff may only
    apply to unincorporated areas, I hope.....
    

    And I hope they have a grandfather clause for people with > 2 animals
    of one kind.  They should start envisioning the newspaper articles as
    fluffy is dragged from the arms of a 6 years old.
    

    There has only been one case of cat rabies in this state this year, but
    many residents fear rabies and they are being very proactive about
    rabies vaccinations for cats.  What needs to be done is have residents
    express their concerns about mandatory vaccinations of rabies for cats. 
    The commission is there to carry out the needs of the people, and so
    far the "people's" views have been a bit inequitably represented because 
    so few residents get involved.
    
    On the subject of the two pet limit, someone asked the commision what
    happens to people that try to register more than two dogs or cats (the
    county currently has voluntary cat registration), and the director of
    the south county shelter said that the shelter workers "ask them to
    find another address for the third animal"!!!  Can you believe this?  This
    limit law obviously needs to be changed.  What is the point of
    registering your animal if you have to give an address that isn't
    yours?
    
    Anything that is inacted at the county level would only apply to the
    unincorporated parts of the county, until and unless the cities decide
    to adopt the same laws.  For instance, the county currently only allows 
    2 animals per resident, but the city of Palo Alto allows 3 AND 3 (three 
    of each), and the city of Morgan Hill allows 4 total.
    
    Karen, why not join us in January for the next meeting. There were a
    couple of residents of Palo Alto at the meeting, but perhaps your
    opinion needs to be heard too.  The next meeting is January 9th.
    
    Jo

    Another thing that I learned last night.  The county currently has a
    law in place that requires that pet owners keep their animals on their
    own property at all times.  If your animals leave your property and
    become a nuisance to other neighbors, then your neighbors can trap them
    and surrender them at the county shelter.
    
    This came up because of a Cupertino resident who feeds birds and
    squirrels and other wildlife.  The neighborhood cats are bothering the
    wildlife and this lady was told to trap the cats and surrender them at
    the pound.  Those of you that have outdoor cats may want to keep this
    in mind.
    
    Another thought, currently, the state of CA does not recognize cats as
    property even though they DO recognize dogs as property.  Seems to me
    that before they can put into law a mandatory registration program,
    they would have to first tackle this notion that cats cannot be owned.
    
    Jo

Can the basic directions to the blding and the nearest cross streets be
posted for those of us who wish to attend, please.  I'm not missing this
one.

Santa Clara county regulations, etc. can affect everyone who lives within
the county, regardless of city/town.  I want my two cents to be applied
to any final recommendations.

    Dian,
    
    The building is on Hedding between the Guadalupe Parkway and First
    Street.  
    
    Take 101 South.  Since the First Street exit from 101 South is closed 
    until 1/17, use the Guadalupe exit.  Pass the airport and head towards
    downtown on Guadalupe.  After you go over the overpass, the next light 
    is Hedding.  
    
    Turn left on Hedding.  Juvenile Hall and the County Jail will be on 
    your right.  There is one traffic light (don't remember the name of the 
    street) and the County Building is on your right after the light.  If 
    you get to First Street, you just passed it.  Most of us parked on the 
    street in front of or across from the building.  I think alot of the 
    parking lots in that area are permit only so be sure to check before 
    pulling into a parking lot. 
    
    As you enter the County Building, there is an information desk and the
    room we met in last time is right behind and maybe a bit to the left
    of the information desk (if memory serves me).
    
    I don't know why but I had trouble seeing the name/address sign for 
    this building the first time I went there and I kept driving up and
    down Hedding looking for it.  Just remember it is in the small area
    area between Guadalupe and First.  Once I found it I was very surprised
    I'd missed it but, a pickup was blocking my line of sight from the car
    to the sign.
    
    Jan

    The meeting is tomorrow night, January 9th.  It would be great to have
    you there Dian.  Ken and I are planning on attending.
    
    Jo

    The meeting last night went well.  Most issues were tabled til next
    month.  The meeting next month will be February 13th.  Santa Clara
    county residents mark this date off on your calendars.  The meetings
    start at 7:00pm.
    
    Next month they will be discussing increasing the limit laws in the
    county.  The county currently allows 2 pets per household.  They will
    also be discussing cat registrations and mandatory rabies vaccination
    for cats.  The objective of the mandatory rabies is not for the health
    and well being of cats and the community, but rather as a means of
    increasing revenue in the county.  Let your voice be heard.  County
    Animal Control benefits all residents in the county, not just the pet
    owners.  We need to come up with ideas of how the county can raise
    money for animal control that would spread the burden to every member
    of the community.
    
    Jo

	How does the mandatory rabies vaccination raise revenue for anyone
	but the vets?  I'm curious about this because my rural county in
	Upstate New York just passed a law requiring rabies vaccination of
	all cats.  There has been exacly ONE case of rabies in a racoon
	which was 50 miles to the south.  If this is a fundraising
	scheme, I'm likely to become a scofflaw.  
	
	I have two cats who are allowed outdoors, and they are rabies
	vaccinated.  My other six never go out.  Is anyone aware of
	a case of rabies reaching an indoor cat, ever?

Bill

    There hasn't been any rabies in cats in California that we could find
    on the books.  The vets must register the rabies vaccination with the
    state (or county depending on locale) and a portion of the cost goes to
    the state (or county).  Once the rabies vaccine is registered with the 
    state (or county) then they have a mechanism to track you down for 
    registering your cats, which brings in more revenue.  Sneaky, eh?
    
    California currently does not require rabies vaccinations for cats, so
    I do not vaccinate my indoor cats for it for the most part.  I do
    vaccinate any cat that I will be showing in another state though. The
    reason for this is that if the cat should bite someone at the show, I
    wouldn't want to run the risk of my cat being quarantined, or worse 
    depending on the local laws regarding rabies. 
    
    I have decided that my approach will be to join forces with those that
    are fighting animal overpopulation and help them with the fight, if
    they will have me.  I think that my efforts will not only help fight
    the problem, but perhaps give me some credibility and/or protection if
    a ban occurs.  I am looking out for my own interests here, and I wish
    to be able to continue to breed my Birmans.  Plus, helping fight the
    problem of overpopulation will help my perspective I think.
    
    Jo

    For all those Santa Clara County residents who were planning to attend
    tonights Animal Advisory Commission meeting in San Jose, I received a
    call from the secretary saying that tonight's meeting had to be
    cancelled due to lack of a quorum.
    
    See you next month!
    
    Jo

If you live in New Hampshire, the following note is entered for your
information. 

Statistics released by the the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) 
indicate that last year more than 3000 dogs and 9000 cats were euthanized in
New Hampshire animal shelters.  HSUS supports two New Hampshire bills which 
they believe will lesson these numbers.

These two bills are as follows: 

SENATE BILL 403: will require all public animal shelters to spay or neuter all
cats and dogs they place.

SENATE BILL 400: will establish subsidized spay/neuter programs for low-income
animal owners and for those who adopt companion animals from public and private
shelters.  The subsidy will be from a license fee surcharge paid by those who
have dogs or cats that are not sterilized.

If you have an opinion on these bills, contact your State Senator in Concord 
to express your views.

The full New Hampshire Senate will probably vote on the bills on Wednesday,
February 19 or Thursday, February 20.  

If you have further questions regarding this legislation, please direct them to
the National Humane Society in Washington, D.C. 

    There will be a public hearing tonight at 7:00pm in the County Building
    in San Jose, California (The County Building is located on Hedding 
    between Guadalupe Pkwy and First Street.)
    
    This hearing is with the County Board of Supervisors and the discussion
    will focus on the draft report from the Animal Advisory Committee Task
    Force.
    
    Jan

    There is a meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission tonight at 7:00pm.
    The meeting will be held in the County Building at 70 West Hedding
    (between Guadalupe Pkwy and First Street, on Hedding).
    
    The topics up for discussion tonight are:
    
    	Mandatory Spay/Neuter Program
    	Cat Licensing
    	Rabies
    
    If you are live in Santa Clara County, please try to attend.  We're
    trying to get as many people involved as possible.
    
    Jan

    Ooops, just got the word the meeting has been cancelled.
    
    Jan

    Just a reminder to residents of Santa Clara County, CA, your Animal
    Advisory Commission meets the 2nd Thursday of the month at the County
    Building, 70 W. Hedding, San Jose at 7:00pm.
    
    Currently in the works in this county:
    
    - mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for the county is currently on hold
      pending the outcome of the proposed spay/neuter ordinance being
      reviewed in the CITY OF SAN JOSE.  The folks behind the ordinance
      have decided to try a new tactic and pass this in the city first,
      then get the county to follow.  
    
    - mandatory cat licensing
    
    - mandatory rabies for cats
    
    - increase limit laws.  This one is a little tricky.  The current
      ordinance says you can have 2 cats and 2 dogs.  They are planning to
      increase the limit by changing the wording to say that you can have
      a total of 4 animals.  I would like to see this part of the current
      law dropped all together.  Many neighboring counties have no limits.
    
    - prohibit marine mammals in entertainment parks in the county
    
    - prohibit ritual animal sacrifice in the county
    
    - prohibit tethering of dogs for longer than X hours per day (the
      actual number of hours is still undecided)
    
    
    Any breeders living in San Jose, the proposed ordinance is much
    stricter than what they were able to pass in San Mateo county.  I
    haven't seen the text yet, but have been told by a member of NPA that
    it limits you to two unspayed females, and specifies a litter
    registration fee of $100.  I expect a copy of the proposed ordinance
    within the next few weeks.
    
    Jo

    There is currently an initiative petition being conducted to put
  a question on the 1996 Massachusetts ballot that would seek to do
  the following:
    
      1. Outlaw the use of leg hold and conibear traps used in Trapping. 
         These traps were outlawed for use on land in Massachusetts for 
         the past 22 years. Due to some recent court decisions, the use
         of leg hold traps on land is once again legal in the state. 
         The use of box and cage traps (already required during parts 
         of the season for skunk, opposum, and raccoon) would still be
         allowed. This initiative petition bans certain types of traps,
         not trapping, and would force trappers to use more humane traps.
    
      2. Outlaw the use of dogs in bear and bobcat hunting. Bear and Bobcat 
         hunting would not be banned. At least 9 states (including Alaska, 
         NY, and Pennsylvania) already have similar bans.
    
      3. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board currently consists of 7 members, 
         5 of whom must have held for at least 5 years a valid fishing, 
         hunting, or trapping license. This petition would remove that 
         requirement, in effect opening the board to non "sportsman" 
         individuals.
    
  This petition is being sponsored by the MSPCA, Mass Audubon, and ProPaw.
  
  Leghold traps are very non-selective and inhumane. Pets as well as wild
  animals do get caught in them. Self amputation of limbs has been known 
  to occur by trapped animals, almost always resulting in the death of the 
  animals

  If you support the banning of such forms of hunting and trapping, please 
  support this petition. In most major shopping malls this weekend
  volunteers will have tables set up to take your name. 65000 names of
  registered voters are needed by November 17. If you are not registered
  to vote, get down to your town hall or city hall and register!