Mary Ann Robinson Spay Neuter Assistance Program
The Mary Ann Robinson Spay Neuter Assistance Program was founded to promote responsible pet ownership and reduce the overpopulation of animals in McPherson County. Guided by the belief that every animal's life is precious and valuable, MARSNAP holds that the most humane and responsible solution to overpopulation is prevention, not euthanasia.
REVISED ANIMAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED BY CITY
A First Step to Ending Animal Overpopulation
On October 17, a very important and progressive ordinance will be considered by the McPherson City Commission. This revised city animal ordinance covers nearly all facets of the health and safety of our animal population. Most importantly, the new ordinance will mandate spay and neuter of all pets 6 months of age and older (with noted exceptions).
Cats
Cats are now included within the definition of "animal" for the purposes of the law. This is important because dogs and cats are now regarded equally in terms of licensing and vaccinations, and now cats can be accepted into and cared for at the McPherson City Animal Shelter. Up until now, only dogs have been permitted into the City Shelter.
Licensing
All animals kept, harbored or maintained in the city shall be licensed and registered if they are over six months old. Licenses shall be issued by the city clerk or designated agent. Applicants much show proof of current rabies vaccination and that the animal has been spayed or neutered. Administrative fees will be set for those who have failed, neglected or refused to obtain such a license. Every owner shall be required to provide each Animal with a collar to which the license tag must be affixed.
Rabies Vaccination
It shall be unlawful to own, possess or keep in the city an animal over the age of six months that has not been vaccinated against rabies. No license or tag shall be issued to the owner of any animal who has not complied with this requirement.
Spaying and Neutering
It shall be unlawful to own, possess or keep in the city an animal over the age of six months that has not been spayed or neutered, except in these situations:
1. If a licensed veterinarian states in writing that an animal is unfit to undergo the spay or neuter procedure due to an extreme health condition of the animal.
2. If the owner if the animal holds a current annual license from the McPherson Animal Shelter to possess an animal that is not neutered.
3. If the animal is temporarily in McPherson to participate in a show or event sponsored by a sanctioned animal organization.
4. If the animal is owned, possessed or kept in the city for fewer than thirty days in a one year period.
Noise & Nuisances
Owners are responsible for controlling noisy animals and are not permitted to let their animals run at large or deposit waste on public grounds. This law has always been in effect for dogs, but now cats are included as well. It is generally understood that indoor/outdoor cats cannot be confined to one's yard. As long as the cat's activities do not disturb a person or the neighborhood then they will be permitted to roam.
No person having the care, custody or control of an animal shall permit such animal to defecate in any public park, or on any other public grounds; or on any private property without the consent of its lawful occupant, unless such person having the care, custody or control of such animal immediately removes such feces.
Note: The above provision shall not apply to a blind person accompanied by his seeing-eye dog.
Dogs must be kept confined indoors, unless on a leash or secure tether device, or restrained in a well-constructed and maintined fenced enclosure. Electronic fences are permitted, but they cannot allow the dog to come within 15 feet of the closest public sidewalk or street, and if used, the burden is on the keeper of the dog to demonstrate to a degree of reasonable certainty that the fence is an effective restraint of the dog.
Animal Kennels / Breeders
No person shall operate a commercial or for profit Animal kennel within the city unless such person shall have first obtained an annual license for such kennel.
Animals kept by the operator of a licensed animal kennel shall not be subject to payment of an animal license as provided by this article, provided such animals are kept in pens or enclosures so they cannot run at large.
Animal kennels shall be kept free of dirt and filth, and in a sanitary condition, and shall be operated so as not to be offensive to the health, safety and general welfare of the public or the residents of the vicinity in which the animal kennels are operated.
Impoundment
Law enforcement officers or animal control officers may apprehend any dog found running at large or any cat appearing to be unlicensed (i.e. without a collar and tag), and to impound such animal in the city animal shelter or other suitable place. Any animal found running at large that appears dangerous, fierce or vicious, and cannot be safely apprehended and impounded, may be killed by any law enforcement officer.
Not later than two days after the impounding of any animal, the licensee, owner or keeper of the animal shall be notified (if known). The owner or keeper of any impounded animal may reclaim such animal upon payment of unpaid license fees, and impoundment and boarding fees charged by the city for impounding and caring for the animal.
It shall be the duty of the animal shelter director to keep all impounded animals for a minimum of six days. If, at the expiration of six days, the animal shall not have been redeemed, it may be destroyed or released by the animal shelter director. (In other words, it may be adopted at that time.) Animals will not be released unless they have been properly licensed and inoculated against rabies.
The animal shelter director may refuse to allow an animal to be redeemed if there is reasonable cause to believe that the animal will be used for other than as a pet or working animal.
Violations
The owner, keeper or harborer of any animal found running at large shall be guilty of a Class C violation, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment for a term of up to 30 days.
Aside from the exceptions noted within the ordinance, any person cited with violation of this articles shall have his or her citation dismissed if there is proof of compliance with the terms of this article within thirty days of the date of the summons or impoundment.
Please show your support of this ordinance by attending the city commission meeting on November 17th. The meeting is open to members of the public and the time will be announced on KBBE that morning. It is not necessary to speak out - your attendance shows that you are concerned enough to come and listen to all sides. For a complete copy of the proposed ordinance, please call us at 241-1106 or email us at marsnap2@aol.com.
Who is Mary Ann Robinson?
Mary Ann Robinson has dedicated her life towards the goal of fostering a public attitude of humane care and gentleness toward all animals, whether they are domestic, exotic, wild or livestock. Always acting as an advocate for the compassionate treatment of all animals, she has been devoted to educating the public about responsible pet care and the importance of spaying and neutering in the community. Mary Ann was the driving force behind organizing the McPherson County Humane Society over 30 years ago. Since then, countless animals in McPherson County have received food, shelter and medical care thanks to her tireless efforts. It is with Mary Ann's compassionate spirit that we go forward in our mission to protect the health of our animal friends.
Why should I Spay or Neuter my pet?
Chances are, if you have arrived at this site you already know why. But maybe you need to convince someone else that they should have their cat or dog fixed. Many people think that if they can find homes for their litters of puppies or kittens, then all is well. However, for every free puppy given away, there is one more dog in a shelter that could have been adopted and will not find a home.
PET OVERPOPULATION results in the deaths of millions of dogs and cats each year.
* Approximately 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. each day.
* An estimated 25 MILLION of these dogs and cats are left homeless each year.
* At least 17 MILLION dogs and cats are destroyed yearly in shelters.
* An estimated 7 to 11 MILLION of these homeless animals die alone, afraid and in pain from starvation, disease, traps, exposure and at the wheels of motor vehicles.
There is no good reason NOT to spay and neuter. Myths about spaying and neutering can be found
here.
Spay Neuter Assistance
MARSNAP provides financial assistance to those who cannot otherwise afford to have their pets spayed or neutered. To learn more about the program or obtain an application form for spay / neuter assistance, please contact Estelle Renberger at 241-1106, or
click here to download and print the application.
You Can Help!
Make a donation
Pet overpopulation is a problem, but every one of us can help! Please, if you have not already done so, have your pets spayed and neutered. If you would like to help our mission, please send your tax-deductible donation to the address below.
GoodSearch
One more way you can help is by using GoodSearch.com to search the Internet. Every time you do, money goes to your favorite charity or school. We hope you'll give it a try and support MARSNAP.
The site is powered by Yahoo!, so you'll get the same quality search results that you're used to. What's unique is that they have developed a way to direct money to your charity or school with every click. It costs nothing, and you are searching the internet as you normally would do.
The more people who use this site, the more money will go to those in need. So please spread the word to your friends and family.
Please go to http://www.goodsearch.com and select MARSNAP as your charity.
Adopting a friend
Primarily we exist to promote responsible pet ownership and provide spay neuter assistance. From time to time we may have adoptable pets in our care that will be posted here. Please also check with the
McPherson County Humane Society and the McPherson Animal Shelter
if you are interested in adopting a pet.
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Mary Ann Robinson Spay Neuter Assistance Program
P.O. Box 182
McPherson, KS 67460
Phone: 620-241-1106
Email
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