SOB Hideyo. Here are two links that may be able to help.
http://www.petwork.com/rescue_cats_nm.html
http://www.aldf.org/
The first is a group listing of all rescues in NM, perhaps someone at
one of the rescues will be able to help in some way. The second link is
for animal legal defense fund. They have attorney's that may be able to
help. Sally says she's been through this too. Animal control came to her
house with a sheriff's deputy and a vet tech. She was told she had 60
days to comply with removing any animals over the limit, but he did
agree that all the cats under her were healthy and happy. As the 60 days
approached, Sally sent animal control an email telling them that she had
adopted out some, but needed more time. Sally also knew someone that
knew someone that agreed to speak on her behalf, but she doesn't know if
that was ever done. She doesn't know why they did not follow up, but
happily they didn't. If you know of a rescue in your area, (if not get
on the phone and get someone with clout on your side), see if they will
help you deal with this. At the very least, they may be able to help you
hide some cats for a while, until they stop coming back to check. When
you speak to them, find out if there is an online list or BB that you
could post this emergency to. Also, how far did you get with filing for
non-profit rescue? You could at least show them the paperwork to prove
it's in progress. http://www.nolopress.com/ has the forms necessary and
a book called "How to Setup a Nonprofit" (this is from Sally, she thinks
that's what it's called). Get a copy of the animal control regulations
for your county jurisdiction to see exactly what your options are. It
doesn't really matter what other other counties do, all they are going
to care about are the rules that apply to your area. Ask the other
rescue if there is somewhere in the area, maybe unincorporated, that you
would be allowed to have more animals, or a sanctuary. I would tell the
authorities that you have been looking to relocate to an area that you
would legally be allowed to have your animals. Sally is also suggesting
that if you know someone with horse stalls, you could screen in an empty
stall and keep some of your kitties there until things cool off.
I can not imagine what you are going through right now. You must be sick
with worry. Prayers for your situation and
Hannibal.
Nina
<http://www.petwork.com/rescue_cats_nm.html>
Hideyo Yamamoto wrote:
Hi, my dear friends on the list,
I am so sorry that I have not been posting or responding to your
postings – but please know that all of your babies who are having a
difficult time right now are in my thoughts and prayer.
I am facing a very difficult situation for my cats and I am trying to
fight back and I could use your help – If you know anything about your
city ordinance regarding having multiple animals in the residential
area or if you could look into it and email it to me, I would be very
grateful. The city may try to take all my furry babies away from me
due to the stupid ordinance which exist right now in my city (which
only allow 10% of your premise size as a defined area where you can
have animals, then each animal (if less than 30lb) will require 75 sq
– so for example, let’s say, I have 4,000 sq in my premise, they only
consider 400 sq as a limitation of the space where could be used for
animal site – so if I divide 400 by 75, I could only have 4 or 5
animals, which anyone can have (the number of animals one can have in
my city without permit is 4 anyway and will become 6 with new ordinace
this fall) – this is a stupid law, because it was originally written
for hobby breeders where they keep animals in kennels and cages, and
they just apply to multiple permit as well, but it does not make sense –
So I am working with a city councilor to revise this information so
that anyone in my situation won’t have to deal with it – but I would
like to know what other cities may have as there might be something
that I could learn –
In the meantime, please pray that they all will be able to stay with
me – as the city takes them, you know what’s going to happen – the
officers already inspected my house a couple of times, and they are
very fine with it ---- all animals are well taken care of.. they have
a very good life - - just the stupid ordinance.. if they don’t grant
me a permit, I was advised to request a hearing, which I will do for
sure.. but I am hoping that I won’t have to as I don’t want that much
visibility in this matter.
PS: also my Hannibal is not eating well – he is CRF kitty, and my vet
suggest that he may have FIV due to high globulin value, but I do not
agree – I have so many other cats with higher globulin value – but he
is becoming anemic, I think it’s due to CRF – please send a prayer for
Hannibal that he gets better very very soon! He is my very first feral
boy!
