Thanks, Nina - I have a pretty good networking with rescue groups here, but at the same time, they can be political, too and I have to be careful whom I speak with.. I left a couple of messages to some influential people - so I am also waiting for their calls.. things is that .. I have had a permit for two years now.. but the officer who had given me and others never really enforced this stupid law in the past. He was kind of a person who understands the reality of situation and always looked at the big picture so he ignored the damn ordinance.. now they are sort of trying to enforce it.
As far as non profit.. they told me that as far as the zoning is concerned, I am not allowed to have an animal sanctuary because I live in residential area.. if I want to do so, I need to buy a commercial property -(who has that kind of money,,, huh..) Anyway, we also talked to the city attorney - he said that if the animal services division does not give me the permit, to request a hearing.. he has seen these cases all the time, and if the person who originally made a complaint does not show up at the court, they should probably let me have 15 animals (this is not a law, but a policy) --- so that's a good news, sort of..but still, I just don't know what's going to happen for sure. In the middle of this.. I am still thinking that "everything will work out" ---I panicked two years ago when someone reported me and I really thought that it was the end of the world -----but it worked out --- again I might be too optimistic.. but again, if the worst come to worse, I will hide everyone to my friend's house -----but still.. I would like not to have to do that, then I would always have to worry about it..if you know what I mean.. The meantime.. I am hoping that my Hannibal will get better very very soon. Hideyo -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Nina Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 2:03 PM To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Re: OT:PLS help for two things.. 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! >
