Antioch Finalizes Ban on Feeding Feral Cats on Public Property

After months of debate, the Antioch City Council has voted 4-1 to approve an ordinance that includes the banning of feeding feral cats on public property.

Under the new ordinance, which goes in effect in 30 days, anyone seen feeding feral cats on public property may get fined. The ordinance does allow the feeding of feral cats on private property. The new ordinance also states that residents will also be required to get a special permit should they keep more than five cats or three dogs on one’s property.

Prior to the council discussion, 30-speakers spoke on the topic with a majority asking the council to rescind the ordinance and instead go with a trap, neuter, and release program (TNR).

Stephanie Sterling argued that even with the ordinance, people will still feed the cats.

“I don’t think this law should pass because people will still feed the cats, but if you work with us we can do it on the side streets and out of sights,” Stephanie Sterling.

Others urged the city to take a stance on “kindness to animals” while working with the groups on a solution.

Councilman Tony Tiscareno was the lone vote against the ban stating they should wait six-months to see if the groups can come together and work with the city to reduce the feral cat problem.

“I have heard today that there is a few more folks who want to get involved. I didn’t hear so if they were willing to do so if the ban was imposed. I still believe that there is a possibility within window of time we can get something done,” said Tiscareno. “I stick with my plan that if we are not able to get anything done in the next 6-months I would support a ban.”

Mayor Pro Tem Mary Rocha urged the city to begin working with the animal groups on a solution while the ban is in place—specifically creating designated feeding stations in a controlled area. This would be on a trial for six months.

“I am in favor of the ban but I want the feeding to be organized in working with the City,” said Rocha.

Prior to the vote, council asked the City Manager Steve Duran what would happen without the ban in place while should they work with animal groups and he responded there would continue to be a “Free for all” on feeding cats.

Council voted 4-1 which makes this the first update to the animal ordinance since the early 1980s. This ordinance has been under debate since January.

Here is a look at the ordinance:

The Feeding of Free Roaming Abandoned and Feral Cats
The policy essentially says it is unlawful to feed feral cats off one’s own property. People are free to feed cats on private property with permission.

Highlights of the proposed Animal ordinance

• It’s unlawful to keep more than 5-cats without a permit.
• It’s unlawful to feed feral cats off one’s own property
• It’s unlawful to allow a dog to bark unabated
• It’s unlawful to keep a roster without a permit.
• Redeeming impounded animals: Animals will now be micro-chipped before release to an owner and now will include a $22 fee.  For a second offense, the dog or cat must be spayed or neutered before release to an owner.
• Multiple Pets or Kennel Permit: Animal Control will notify adjacent property owners and tenants within 300 feet of the applicant’s property. Adjacent property owners and tenants will now be given 10-days to provide Animal Control with any written/verbal comments regarding any animal nuisances. The applicant may now appeal the Animal Control Supervisors decision to deny a permit.  No more than 10-dogs are allowed.
• Barking Dog: a dog that barks, bays, cries, howls or makes noise for 30-60 minutes within a 24-hour period may be impounded by Animal Control.
• Updated the Authority, Entry on Private Property, Procedures, Violations and Remedies for Animal Control and Antioch Police when going onto Private Property.
• Keeping Animals & Bees
  • Number of dogs – unlawful to keep more than 3-dogs that are required to be licenses
  • Number of cats – It is unlawful for a person to keep more than 5-cats without a permit
  • Number of fowl – its unlawful for a person to keep or maintain more than 10 each of ducks, geese, chickens or other fowl. No person may keep a rooster without a permit under section 6-1.601.
  • Number of rabbits – no more than 10 domesticated rabbits may be kept on any parcel within the city.
  • Bees – Bees may only be kept in an agricultural or open space zoning district and with a permit from the Animal Control Supervisor.

Limits on the Number of Pets
At the January 12 meeting, the public spoke out against the idea of the proposed limit of pets in a home. Specifically, there were objections to the limit of 5 cats, 10 fowl, 10 rabbits, and 15 animals total. Staff has now reviewed those limitations and now recommends no overall limit on animals and that the limit on fowl and rabbits provide that a permit can be sought for more than that number, just like the limit on 3 dogs or 5 cats. Ultimately, there is a proposed “no restriction” on the number of pets, but with a permit process to allow additional pets, is a rational approach to protect the public health, welfare and safety of Antioch residents to protect animals from overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

Highlights of the proposed Animal ordinance

• It’s unlawful to keep more than 5-cats without a permit.
• It’s unlawful to feed feral cats off one’s own property
• It’s unlawful to allow a dog to bark unabated
• It’s unlawful to keep a roster without a permit.
• Redeeming impounded animals: Animals will now be micro-chipped before release to an owner and now will include a $22 fee.  For a second offense, the dog or cat must be spayed or neutered before release to an owner.
• Multiple Pets or Kennel Permit: Animal Control will notify adjacent property owners and tenants within 300 feet of the applicant’s property. Adjacent property owners and tenants will now be given 10-days to provide Animal Control with any written/verbal comments regarding any animal nuisances. The applicant may now appeal the Animal Control Supervisors decision to deny a permit.  No more than 10-dogs are allowed.
• Barking Dog: a dog that barks, bays, cries, howls or makes noise for 30-60 minutes within a 24-hour period may be impounded by Animal Control.
• Updated the Authority, Entry on Private Property, Procedures, Violations and Remedies for Animal Control and Antioch Police when going onto Private Property.
• Keeping Animals & Bees
  • Number of dogs – unlawful to keep more than 3-dogs that are required to be licenses
  • Number of cats – It is unlawful for a person to keep more than 5-cats without a permit
  • Number of fowl – its unlawful for a person to keep or maintain more than 10 each of ducks, geese, chickens or other fowl. No person may keep a rooster without a permit under section 6-1.601.
  • Number of rabbits – no more than 10 domesticated rabbits may be kept on any parcel within the city.
  • Bees – Bees may only be kept in an agricultural or open space zoning district and with a permit from the Animal Control Supervisor.