DEPARTMENT: Animal Care Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Kathy Davis
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance amending Chapter 5 of the City Code.
SUMMARY:
Staff briefing on a proposed Ordinance amending Chapter 5 of the City Code of San Antonio, Texas, by requiring that a registered microchip replace a pet license tag as part of the City's licensing program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In FY 2012, ACS began implementing its newly revised Strategic Plan by incorporating the three strategic priorities of: (1) enhanced enforcement; (2) controlling the stray animal population and; (3) increasing the live release rate.
This initiative is not just an aspect of the ACS strategic priority of Increasing Live Release rate. ACS is able to Enhance Enforcement through allowing Animal Care Officers the opportunity to educate and have critical conversations about responsible pet ownership and modify behaviors of residents with their owned pets roaming City streets and subsequently reunited from the field or the shelter and provide additional enforcement, if needed, for repeat offenders. This initiative also allows us the ability to return owned pets from the shelter sooner, freeing up valuable kennel space for Officers to impound "lost pets and true strays."
History of ACS Licensing Program
Like many cities across the country, San Antonio utilizes a licensing program with the intent to assist ACS with returning pets to their owner, gauge the number of pets in our community and ensuring pets are vaccinated for rabies. Current ordinance requires any cat or dog 4 months and older be licensed with the City and requires a tag worn on the pet's collar or harness. Pet owners are also required to keep a corresponding certificate as part of their pet's paperwork. City licenses are purchased on a tiered-pricing schedule to incentivize and reward pet owners who have sterilized pets. Residents who own sterilized p...
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