ATTENTION PORTERDALE PET OWNERS

The City of Porterdale is in process of making significant changes to its Animal Control Ordinance.  These changes include provisions regarding the type of shelter and the amount of space required for animals kept outdoors, provisions for registration of animals with the City, and provisions limiting the number of animals that may be kept by a household.  The purpose of this flyer is to acquaint you with some of the changes included in the new Animal Control Ordinance

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS FLYER DOES NOT SET OUT THE SPECIFIC LEGAL REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE NEW ORDINANCE, BUT IS BEING PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.  YOU SHOULD ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH THE SPECIFIC LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEW ORDINANCE BY OBTAINING A COPY OF THE ORDINANCE AT CITY HALL.

Restraint while on owner’s property

Owners of animals, including those keeping an animal for 3 or more days, will be required to restrain the animal while on the owner’s property.  Animals left outdoors must be kept in an enclosure that prevents the animal’s escape.  Also, if the animal is kept outdoors, the Ordinance provides for the type of shelter and the space required for each animal.  Tethering of animals (that is, tying an animal to a stationary object) is prohibited.

Restraint while off owner’s property

When off the owner’s property, animals must be secured by a leash or lead.  This leash law is applicable to all animals, including cats. Owner’s of animals must clean up after the animal should the animal relieve itself on the public street or right of way.

Required identification and Registration

An important addition to the City of Porterdale’s efforts at Animal Control requires the owner of animals to register with the City each dog, cat, or ferret owned.  Registration is required annually, and requires presentation of a current rabies vaccination certificate for the animal.  Registration forms will be provided by the City.  Payment of a $5.00 registration fee to the City is required, which fees will be utilized solely in connection with the City’s Animal Control efforts.  The City currently is arranging for a mobile veterinarian unit to be available on several days in the month of February 2009 to facilitate obtaining rabies vaccinations, so that owner’s may register their animals with the City.

Limitation on number of pets per household

The new Animal Control Ordinance places a limit of 3 animals that may be kept and maintained in any single household.  A “grandfather” provision is included for those citizens who currently keep more than 3 animals, so that no owner will be required to dispose of an animal currently owned above the limit of 3 animals.  There are restrictions upon replacing an animal, however, if the replacement of the animal would cause there to be more than 3 animals in the household.  Also, on lots of 3 acres or more in size, the limit of animals is raised to 7 animals.

It is contemplated that the effective date of the new Ordinance will be March 1, 2009.  A third and final reading of the Ordinance is expected to take place at the February meeting of the City Council, to be held on February 2, 2009, beginning at 6:30 pm, at Porterdale City Hall.  A public hearing will be held at that time concerning the Ordinance.  You cordially are invited to attend.