Hi Sonya,
The neighbor that threatened to shut you down. What are the laws re a non profit on your property?
Re some of her concerns:
Increased foot traffic............no more than her family or daughter having people in. There are 3 of them and only 1 of you! People are on your property and not theirs. They may want to put up a fence if it bothers them that much. Bags of cat litter in the garbage.............well, there are not too many homes that do not have pets, and where else might the cat litter go? Verbal abuse from them is not called for. You are on your property and not theirs. Who and how many people are at your place should be nothing to them. If the verbal abuse and harassment keeps up you will; maybe have to look at a restraining order.Maybe your neighbors would prefer to see hundreds of cats running around, tearing up their flowers beds, etc..
I think you are doing a great job.
Denise
> Hello to all the wonderful supporters of Healing Animal SCARS,>> When I sent a mass email requesting help to insulate and drywall my shelter, I had many encouraging responses and ended up with 4 wonderful men who gladly volunteered their time. I cannot thank them and their families enough! I could never have done it myself, and am truly grateful for their community spirit. They ended up not only providing their construction services; one family decided to take 2 mother cats in to foster, and other volunteers joined the Simply Delicious Fundraising Sales Team - best $2 chocolate bar around! So I need to thank Bill Flowers, Marc Chenier, Marc Perron, Mike Power, Michael Pollett and Matthew for their help again today, trying to complete the job out in the shed.
However, as my city councillor, Becky Kent predicted, a neighbour has threatened to "get it shut down" because I don't have the right to do this next door to her home. This neighbour exploded at me today, and said she won't live next to a cat house. She seems to feel I am running a business - Ha! As if there were money to be made in rescuing cats! I am requesting your individual feedback. She has some valid concerns to be addressed, such as increased foot traffic and privacy issues, bags of cat litter in the garbage and so on. I did not want to impose upon my neighbours, just to help a few cats.
One of my volunteers was so taken aback by her verbal barrage of me that he spoke up to help, only to be physically threatened by the husband! I would really appreciate if my Board of Directors members can attend the meeting 7pm Wed, Sept 27th, as it is the only night we have available. I want to invite Becky Kent to attend our meeting so that she can address her concerns.
I also need help from anyone who wants to write to our councillor and local politicians to ask them to support a new animal rescue, instead of preventing it from doing good work, help find ways to do that work unobtrusively to my hostile neighbours. Time for campaigning! I can never thank you enough for helping get these cats off of the streets, away from misery, starvation and certain death. You can be proud knowing you have made a difference in saving real lives - 16 adoptions so far and counting. Let people know that pets are not disposable. Please pass your opinions to the politicians below, and any others you can think of! Email can be sent to Becky Kent here: mailto:kentb@halifax.ca> mailto:info@kevindeveaux.com is the way to reach Kevin Deveaux.
Please pass along your own opinion to our politicians and ask what they intend to do about the growing cat population in HRM. Shutting down a fledgling new rescue is not going to help - do they want to be seen as co-operative or non-supporting?
Thanks so much,
Sonya D. Higgins
Friday, December 08, 2006
Forwarded by Edna on 09/19/2006 09:16 AM -----
"Kevin Deveaux" 09/19/2006 10:07 AM
To Edna
Subject Re: Stray cat population
Thanks for the e-mail. I appreciate your concern with regard to the need to have a better system for dealing with stray cats. As a "cat person" I have always been concerned with the need for a cat bylaw, but your description of how difficult it is to deal with stray cats may change my mind. As for a short-term solution, I would suggest asking some of the service clubs in the community (Lions, Buffaslo, Legion, KoC) if they would help fund a program through Dr. Steele so she has the funds to address this problem. In the longer term, as noted above, a bylaw may allow animal control to deal with such animals. Also, there may be a role for the Province in passing a law dealing with irresponsible owners and the need to spayed or neuter. I would be glad to discuss this in more detail with you, but I wanted to send you some early thoughts to see which direction you would like to proceed. Kevin Deveaux, MLA Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage
----- Original Message ----- From: edna. To: info@kevindeveaux.com ; kentb@halifax.ca Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 3:38 PM
Subject: Stray cat population Hi, My name is Edna, I live on 15 Serop Cres., Heritage Hills. I have talked to Becky earlier this summer about the over population of stray cats. I wanted to drop you a quick line now, before I formally write to you and others. Late in July, I discovered that a stray cat had made a home under my deck and had a litter of kittens. The first week of August, I found another stray cat on my property and she too had a litter of kittens. I was basically stuck with these 2 mother cats and 9 kittens. I started making phone calls to various agencies to see what could be done, this is what I found:
The SPCA was full - and if they aren't you need to "trap" and bring in the cats yourselves - there is no assistance for this. (rent trap from MacFarlands and try and trap the cats). Liz from the SPCA actually recognized my voice I called day after day.
BideAwhile will not take feral cats,
Animal Control will not come and take cats as they do not fall under the ByLaw,
Of the approx. 30 vets I called only about 4 have cat shelters and they were full,
I called the SPCA in Truro also, although they were full they don't service our area,
Then I began calling the few cat shelters that I could find, Sonya - Healing Animal Scars was full at the time but very supportive and provided alot of information to educate and help me. She is a very energetic, caring, wonderful person who has helped so many people in the past, as I have found out from talking to people in the community. She couldn't take the kittens and cats in from my yard at the time, but offered help in calling people, to assist in trapping etc. Sonya is the only person that I found that is willing to deal with feral cats, to put the time into them that they need so they can be adopted.
I called Dr. Steele (Eastern Passage Vet) who has been so supportive through this whole process, before I called Becky to see what the cost would be if worse case I had to have the Stray cats and kitten euthanized. Most vets have a "no kill" policy so this is not even an option. Dr. Steele is very educated and has experience in the past with stray cats, she has some ideas that should be considered. They are cost efficient and provide easy ways to follow up on offenders.When I called Becky, the first thing she recommended was to contact Sonya, I updated her on all of the avenues I had already done as stated above as I had already called Sonya. At that point there was nothing that she could do for me. She did say to write her a letter. There has been an obviously high population of stray cats in Heritage Hills for several years and it would seem that it is continuing to grow. Everyone knows as you can see the cats running at large when you walk down any street. I don't have many answers or suggestions at this point, which is why I will write to you again soon but want to bring to your attention that there is a problem and something needs to be done. I would not like to see any harm done to the cats; if they can be tamed and adopted that would be great, seeing a greater level of responsibility on the part of the owners in having their animals spayed or neutered. There isn't enough help presently to deal with the number of stray cats. I called the SPCA and some other places again today just before I emailed this to you and currently no one has any space to take any cats or kittens. At the very least, I feel, funding and support should be given to our vet Dr. Steele, as she is a registered Vet and has the skills to make sure that money is spent the best and most efficient way it can be. She is in contact with all of the general public in Eastern Passage and the connections with the "cat shelters". She has years of experience. More support has to be given to shelters - who from my experience are truly caring people who seem to put huge effort into humanely taking care of the cat population, using their personal time and money in response to other peoples carelessness. Owners need to be held more accountable for their animals. I think people should have a choice if they have there cats loose but they should be spayed or neutered. People need to be educated about this. So many people that I have been talking to had no idea how little help there is out there when you find yourself in a predicament like I did this summer. Some are not surprised but something that I found very disheartening is that Becky never called to follow up to see how I made out. I have lived on Serop for nine years, we've had stabbings, murders, the increased number of RCMP calls to my street, 6 or 7 a weekend (and now more even during the week), the vandalism of my personal property with windows being smashed in my car, a boy being beat up and robbed right in front of the house next to me yesterday in the middle of the afternoon, I'm not asking for your help with those things. My request should be easier to address. Please help our Vet Dr. Steele and cat shelters with the stray cats, give them the support they need. Thank you for your consideration, Edna
"Kevin Deveaux" 09/19/2006 10:07 AM
To Edna
Subject Re: Stray cat population
Thanks for the e-mail. I appreciate your concern with regard to the need to have a better system for dealing with stray cats. As a "cat person" I have always been concerned with the need for a cat bylaw, but your description of how difficult it is to deal with stray cats may change my mind. As for a short-term solution, I would suggest asking some of the service clubs in the community (Lions, Buffaslo, Legion, KoC) if they would help fund a program through Dr. Steele so she has the funds to address this problem. In the longer term, as noted above, a bylaw may allow animal control to deal with such animals. Also, there may be a role for the Province in passing a law dealing with irresponsible owners and the need to spayed or neuter. I would be glad to discuss this in more detail with you, but I wanted to send you some early thoughts to see which direction you would like to proceed. Kevin Deveaux, MLA Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage
----- Original Message ----- From: edna. To: info@kevindeveaux.com ; kentb@halifax.ca Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 3:38 PM
Subject: Stray cat population Hi, My name is Edna, I live on 15 Serop Cres., Heritage Hills. I have talked to Becky earlier this summer about the over population of stray cats. I wanted to drop you a quick line now, before I formally write to you and others. Late in July, I discovered that a stray cat had made a home under my deck and had a litter of kittens. The first week of August, I found another stray cat on my property and she too had a litter of kittens. I was basically stuck with these 2 mother cats and 9 kittens. I started making phone calls to various agencies to see what could be done, this is what I found:
The SPCA was full - and if they aren't you need to "trap" and bring in the cats yourselves - there is no assistance for this. (rent trap from MacFarlands and try and trap the cats). Liz from the SPCA actually recognized my voice I called day after day.
BideAwhile will not take feral cats,
Animal Control will not come and take cats as they do not fall under the ByLaw,
Of the approx. 30 vets I called only about 4 have cat shelters and they were full,
I called the SPCA in Truro also, although they were full they don't service our area,
Then I began calling the few cat shelters that I could find, Sonya - Healing Animal Scars was full at the time but very supportive and provided alot of information to educate and help me. She is a very energetic, caring, wonderful person who has helped so many people in the past, as I have found out from talking to people in the community. She couldn't take the kittens and cats in from my yard at the time, but offered help in calling people, to assist in trapping etc. Sonya is the only person that I found that is willing to deal with feral cats, to put the time into them that they need so they can be adopted.
I called Dr. Steele (Eastern Passage Vet) who has been so supportive through this whole process, before I called Becky to see what the cost would be if worse case I had to have the Stray cats and kitten euthanized. Most vets have a "no kill" policy so this is not even an option. Dr. Steele is very educated and has experience in the past with stray cats, she has some ideas that should be considered. They are cost efficient and provide easy ways to follow up on offenders.When I called Becky, the first thing she recommended was to contact Sonya, I updated her on all of the avenues I had already done as stated above as I had already called Sonya. At that point there was nothing that she could do for me. She did say to write her a letter. There has been an obviously high population of stray cats in Heritage Hills for several years and it would seem that it is continuing to grow. Everyone knows as you can see the cats running at large when you walk down any street. I don't have many answers or suggestions at this point, which is why I will write to you again soon but want to bring to your attention that there is a problem and something needs to be done. I would not like to see any harm done to the cats; if they can be tamed and adopted that would be great, seeing a greater level of responsibility on the part of the owners in having their animals spayed or neutered. There isn't enough help presently to deal with the number of stray cats. I called the SPCA and some other places again today just before I emailed this to you and currently no one has any space to take any cats or kittens. At the very least, I feel, funding and support should be given to our vet Dr. Steele, as she is a registered Vet and has the skills to make sure that money is spent the best and most efficient way it can be. She is in contact with all of the general public in Eastern Passage and the connections with the "cat shelters". She has years of experience. More support has to be given to shelters - who from my experience are truly caring people who seem to put huge effort into humanely taking care of the cat population, using their personal time and money in response to other peoples carelessness. Owners need to be held more accountable for their animals. I think people should have a choice if they have there cats loose but they should be spayed or neutered. People need to be educated about this. So many people that I have been talking to had no idea how little help there is out there when you find yourself in a predicament like I did this summer. Some are not surprised but something that I found very disheartening is that Becky never called to follow up to see how I made out. I have lived on Serop for nine years, we've had stabbings, murders, the increased number of RCMP calls to my street, 6 or 7 a weekend (and now more even during the week), the vandalism of my personal property with windows being smashed in my car, a boy being beat up and robbed right in front of the house next to me yesterday in the middle of the afternoon, I'm not asking for your help with those things. My request should be easier to address. Please help our Vet Dr. Steele and cat shelters with the stray cats, give them the support they need. Thank you for your consideration, Edna
MLA response to request for help
An email from Kevin Deveaux on Sept 25/06:
Thank you for your e-mail. To be clear, I have always tried to direct people to HRM, as the rules with regard to operating a business are HRM rules.
That said, as noted in my earlier e-mail to your supporter, I am glad to provide some advice on how to formalize the shelter in a way that ensures it can operate legally.
if you believe it can operate legally at your house (and HRM agrees) then that is good. if you wish to discuss how to raise funds or gain support for a shelter located in another location, I would be glad to provide advice.
I apologize if there is some confusion as to my position. Let me clear, I support compliance with HRM Land Use Bylaws and I support the need for a cat shelter in the community. If that cannot be done at your house, then the community needs to find a place that is suitable.
Kevin Deveaux, MLACole Harbour-Eastern Passage
From: Sonya HigginsTo: deveaux.mla@ns.sympatico.ca, 'Becky Kent' <kentb@halifax.ca
Subject: please help Healing Animal SCARS - Sonya's Cat & Animal Rescue Society
Hello Kevin,> First of all let me thank you for your donation to my auction held back in July, to fundraise for Healing Animal SCARS, a new cat rescue group that has been formed in Eastern Passage. I have assembled a Board of Directors and we are in the process of completing the paperwork to get registered with Joint Stocks. We did send in the application earlier this summer, but it was returned asking for clarification, which we gladly provided. We have also obtained a letter of support from the NS SPCA. There has been an enormously positive response from the community, and I feel I am providing a much needed service. However, my neighbours have suddenly turned on me! She complained to the city that I was running an illegal business, which is not the case. I have spent well over $6000 at the vet alone, and my various fundraisers and adoption fees have only earned about $4000, so it is obvious I am doing this for charity, not to get rich. I have always covered the costs for the many stray cats I take in, out of my own pocket. I have met with my city councillor, Becky Kent, and the Office and Recognized agent for the N-P society will be at one of the other directors homes, so that my neighbour cannot complain that I am running a business here. The angry neighbour has even accused me of misappropriating funds raised by the neighbourhood children, and has been slandering my good name in the community. Her daughter was corresponding with another of my volunteers, via MSN messenger on Friday, and wrote something to the effect that Kevin Deveaux had already told her Mom that Sonya is not allowed to have cats in her shed anymore. If this family or any other complainant does continue to ask questions of you regarding my cat rescue, I would appreciate if you would refer to Becky Kent and the 2 Land Use officers listed below, to clarify the solution that has been suggested. I would appreciate any advice you have to offer, and am requesting that you telephone me at home to further discuss my options. Thank you very much from myself and the cats who have been given a new lease on life, Sonya D. Higgins, Director & Chairman> Healing Animal SCARS -
-----Original Message-----> From: Sonya Higgins [mailto:katsonya@accesswave.ca]> Sent: September 23, 2006 5:16 PM> To: 'stoffp1@parl.gc.ca'> Cc: 'Becky Kent'> Subject: Healing Animal SCARS - Sonya's Cat & Animal Rescue Society> > > Hello Peter,> > I have received 2 phone messages from you this summer, commending me on my work in animal rescue. I would love to speak with you on the phone, because I am seeking your support in writing this time. I have been getting harassed and threatened by a nasty neighbour, who has called the city and tried to get me "shut down". It is very unfortunate that one bad apple can make a lot of grief for the many other caring citizens who have helped me with the fundraising over the past 4 months. I met with my city councillor, Becky Kent, and 2 Land Use officers, Shawn Audas and Marc Ouellete, at my home on Thursday, Sept. 21st to discuss how I can legally keep operating without breaking any by-laws. We are in the process of registering with Joint Stocks, and would like to have letters of support from politicians to show that there is a need for more animal rescues, to deal with the enormous problem of stray cat colonies in HRM. Please phone me at your earliest convenience,> > Thank you so much,> > Sonya D. Higgins
Thank you for your e-mail. To be clear, I have always tried to direct people to HRM, as the rules with regard to operating a business are HRM rules.
That said, as noted in my earlier e-mail to your supporter, I am glad to provide some advice on how to formalize the shelter in a way that ensures it can operate legally.
if you believe it can operate legally at your house (and HRM agrees) then that is good. if you wish to discuss how to raise funds or gain support for a shelter located in another location, I would be glad to provide advice.
I apologize if there is some confusion as to my position. Let me clear, I support compliance with HRM Land Use Bylaws and I support the need for a cat shelter in the community. If that cannot be done at your house, then the community needs to find a place that is suitable.
Kevin Deveaux, MLACole Harbour-Eastern Passage
From: Sonya Higgins
Subject: please help Healing Animal SCARS - Sonya's Cat & Animal Rescue Society
Hello Kevin,> First of all let me thank you for your donation to my auction held back in July, to fundraise for Healing Animal SCARS, a new cat rescue group that has been formed in Eastern Passage. I have assembled a Board of Directors and we are in the process of completing the paperwork to get registered with Joint Stocks. We did send in the application earlier this summer, but it was returned asking for clarification, which we gladly provided. We have also obtained a letter of support from the NS SPCA. There has been an enormously positive response from the community, and I feel I am providing a much needed service. However, my neighbours have suddenly turned on me! She complained to the city that I was running an illegal business, which is not the case. I have spent well over $6000 at the vet alone, and my various fundraisers and adoption fees have only earned about $4000, so it is obvious I am doing this for charity, not to get rich. I have always covered the costs for the many stray cats I take in, out of my own pocket. I have met with my city councillor, Becky Kent, and the Office and Recognized agent for the N-P society will be at one of the other directors homes, so that my neighbour cannot complain that I am running a business here. The angry neighbour has even accused me of misappropriating funds raised by the neighbourhood children, and has been slandering my good name in the community. Her daughter was corresponding with another of my volunteers, via MSN messenger on Friday, and wrote something to the effect that Kevin Deveaux had already told her Mom that Sonya is not allowed to have cats in her shed anymore. If this family or any other complainant does continue to ask questions of you regarding my cat rescue, I would appreciate if you would refer to Becky Kent and the 2 Land Use officers listed below, to clarify the solution that has been suggested. I would appreciate any advice you have to offer, and am requesting that you telephone me at home to further discuss my options. Thank you very much from myself and the cats who have been given a new lease on life, Sonya D. Higgins, Director & Chairman> Healing Animal SCARS -
-----Original Message-----> From: Sonya Higgins [mailto:katsonya@accesswave.ca]> Sent: September 23, 2006 5:16 PM> To: 'stoffp1@parl.gc.ca'> Cc: 'Becky Kent'> Subject: Healing Animal SCARS - Sonya's Cat & Animal Rescue Society> > > Hello Peter,> > I have received 2 phone messages from you this summer, commending me on my work in animal rescue. I would love to speak with you on the phone, because I am seeking your support in writing this time. I have been getting harassed and threatened by a nasty neighbour, who has called the city and tried to get me "shut down". It is very unfortunate that one bad apple can make a lot of grief for the many other caring citizens who have helped me with the fundraising over the past 4 months. I met with my city councillor, Becky Kent, and 2 Land Use officers, Shawn Audas and Marc Ouellete, at my home on Thursday, Sept. 21st to discuss how I can legally keep operating without breaking any by-laws. We are in the process of registering with Joint Stocks, and would like to have letters of support from politicians to show that there is a need for more animal rescues, to deal with the enormous problem of stray cat colonies in HRM. Please phone me at your earliest convenience,> > Thank you so much,> > Sonya D. Higgins
Email of support from an adopter
----- Original Message ----- From: <deveaux.mla@ns.sympatico.ca> To: "Rita " Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 8:38 AM Subject: Re: SCARS
> Thanks for the e-mail. I am glad to hear testimonials about SCARS. > > Kevin Deveaux, MLA
> From: "Rita Date: 2006/09/25 Mon PM 12:13:37 EST >> To: <kentb@halifax.ca>, >> <deveaux.mla@ns.sympatico.ca>, >> <stoffp1@parl.gc.ca> >> Subject: SCARS >> >> Hello , I thought I would drop a line in the defense if Sonya Higgins and the wonderful work she is doing to save so many innocent cats lives and to make many people very happy ourselves included. I adopted a cat from Sonya last Feb. Hendrix is our cat's name and he is an absolute gem, I cannot began to tell you how much happiness and love this little guy has brought to our lives. I brought Hendrix home on Feb. 17 / 06 and being a feral cat as he and his two siblings were living at the Tim's drive through and after three consecutive nights Sonya was able to rescue all three. This is where I come into the picture four months later. I brought Hendrix home, he was of course very nervous and hid out . I spoke with Sonya daily and on the 10th. day Sonya came to our house and crawled in a very small space and was able to get him out, we then closed the space and he started to trust us a little more each day and now we have the most wonderful cat in the entire world "sorry all other cat owners"
I do hope Sonya can carry on with her work as she is making a huge difference and I do hope her neighbour can find it in her heart to be a little patient and understanding and everyone will be happy in the end as we are with our beautiful cat. Rita, John Garett and Hendrix
> Thanks for the e-mail. I am glad to hear testimonials about SCARS. > > Kevin Deveaux, MLA
> From: "Rita Date: 2006/09/25 Mon PM 12:13:37 EST >> To: <kentb@halifax.ca>, >> <deveaux.mla@ns.sympatico.ca>, >> <stoffp1@parl.gc.ca> >> Subject: SCARS >> >> Hello , I thought I would drop a line in the defense if Sonya Higgins and the wonderful work she is doing to save so many innocent cats lives and to make many people very happy ourselves included. I adopted a cat from Sonya last Feb. Hendrix is our cat's name and he is an absolute gem, I cannot began to tell you how much happiness and love this little guy has brought to our lives. I brought Hendrix home on Feb. 17 / 06 and being a feral cat as he and his two siblings were living at the Tim's drive through and after three consecutive nights Sonya was able to rescue all three. This is where I come into the picture four months later. I brought Hendrix home, he was of course very nervous and hid out . I spoke with Sonya daily and on the 10th. day Sonya came to our house and crawled in a very small space and was able to get him out, we then closed the space and he started to trust us a little more each day and now we have the most wonderful cat in the entire world "sorry all other cat owners"
I do hope Sonya can carry on with her work as she is making a huge difference and I do hope her neighbour can find it in her heart to be a little patient and understanding and everyone will be happy in the end as we are with our beautiful cat. Rita, John Garett and Hendrix
Cat rescue against residential by-laws
Hi Sonya,
I don't have much time to write but I wanted to respond to your email. I am sickened by the whole thing and I cannot BELIEVE that it has turned out like this. I am very sorry, Sonya. I am in shock. How could someone be annoyed with construction when it is just a shed?! I will draft a letter of some kind in support of this.
Honestly!! Good luck. Kathleen
On Sun, 01 Oct 2006 22:16:59 -0300, "Sonya Higgins" <katsonya@accesswave.ca> said:> Hi there, I ran into a huge problem - the neighbours complained to the city. They apparently didn't appreciate the construction on my shed, ( 4 different days over a few weeks) and complained to the city that I was running an illegal business. Long story short, I met with my councillor and 2 Land-use by-law officers and I am not allowed to have a non-profit that involves the keeping of animals here at this zoning address, because the city views it as a business. I am seeking legal advice, and will always keep cats here and rescue them. I cannot believe the burocracy that sees a non-profit society as a home business! Nonsense! I strongly urge you to write to city council to express your views on their lack of action on behalf of homeless cats ( there is currently NO by-law in place to deal with cats, the city just doesn't do anything unless they are already dead or near dying...) Tell them they need to consult with local animal rescuers to get feedback/input on their new by-law for animal control. Tell them about all the pets who were saved because of a good-hearted rescuer who is now in peril of being charged as a criminal for trying to help cats... Please speak out on this ridiculous interpretation of the law, I need to keep helping cats only because the city is not doing their part. HRM has no affiliation with the local branch of the SPCA. When the SPCA and Bide-Awhile are full ( every day) there is absolutely no other option for ordinary citizens who find a stray cat. So when a person like me tries to start a new animal rescue league of foster homes, I am accused of nonsense by one bitter individual and forced to stop the good work I am doing... How does that show support for the animals?
Sonya D. Higgins, Director & Chairman> Healing Animal SCARS - Sonya's Cat & Animal Rescue Society> Phone: 469-MEOW (469-6369)> Eastern Passage, NS> katsonya@accesswave.ca > http://scars-sonyascatandanimalrescuesociety.blogspot.com/> www.petfinder.org/shelters/NS28.html
I don't have much time to write but I wanted to respond to your email. I am sickened by the whole thing and I cannot BELIEVE that it has turned out like this. I am very sorry, Sonya. I am in shock. How could someone be annoyed with construction when it is just a shed?! I will draft a letter of some kind in support of this.
Honestly!! Good luck. Kathleen
On Sun, 01 Oct 2006 22:16:59 -0300, "Sonya Higgins" <katsonya@accesswave.ca> said:> Hi there, I ran into a huge problem - the neighbours complained to the city. They apparently didn't appreciate the construction on my shed, ( 4 different days over a few weeks) and complained to the city that I was running an illegal business. Long story short, I met with my councillor and 2 Land-use by-law officers and I am not allowed to have a non-profit that involves the keeping of animals here at this zoning address, because the city views it as a business. I am seeking legal advice, and will always keep cats here and rescue them. I cannot believe the burocracy that sees a non-profit society as a home business! Nonsense! I strongly urge you to write to city council to express your views on their lack of action on behalf of homeless cats ( there is currently NO by-law in place to deal with cats, the city just doesn't do anything unless they are already dead or near dying...) Tell them they need to consult with local animal rescuers to get feedback/input on their new by-law for animal control. Tell them about all the pets who were saved because of a good-hearted rescuer who is now in peril of being charged as a criminal for trying to help cats... Please speak out on this ridiculous interpretation of the law, I need to keep helping cats only because the city is not doing their part. HRM has no affiliation with the local branch of the SPCA. When the SPCA and Bide-Awhile are full ( every day) there is absolutely no other option for ordinary citizens who find a stray cat. So when a person like me tries to start a new animal rescue league of foster homes, I am accused of nonsense by one bitter individual and forced to stop the good work I am doing... How does that show support for the animals?
Sonya D. Higgins, Director & Chairman> Healing Animal SCARS - Sonya's Cat & Animal Rescue Society> Phone: 469-MEOW (469-6369)> Eastern Passage, NS> katsonya@accesswave.ca > http://scars-sonyascatandanimalrescuesociety.blogspot.com/> www.petfinder.org/shelters/NS28.html
cat by-law
There is a new by-law that will be proposed to HRM City Council in Feb. 2007. Below is an excerpt from the minutes of the HALIFAX REGIONAL COUNCILCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTESOctober 25, 2005
4. PROPOSED HARMONIZED BY-LAW A-300 - RESPECTING ANIMALS
• A report dated June 29, 2005 was before Council.
• Four suggested amendments submitted by Councillor Younger were before Council.
• An e-mail dated October 25, 2005 from Councillor Sloane was before Council.
Mr. Brad Anguish, Director, Environmental Management Services, presented the report assisted by Mr. Allan Waye, General Manager, Community Projects, EMS, Ms. AndreaMacDonald, Manager, Animal Control/Taxi & Limo Services, and Ms. Stefanie Turner,Operations Coordinator, Animal Control Services.
MOVED BY Councillor Hendsbee, seconded by Councillor Harvey that Council give first reading to By-Law A-300, Respecting Animals (attached as Appendix “A”), and set a public hearing date to adopt the By-Law and repeal the existing animal related By-Laws to come into effect June 1, 2006. Mayor Kelly left the meeting at 2:19 pm. Deputy Mayor Goucher assumed the Chair at this time. Mr. Waye and Ms. MacDonald advised that staff were not looking for a recommendation today as there are minor refinements to be made to the draft By-Law.
Deputy Mayor Goucher suggested the motion be to approve in principle in order to move the item forward for a notice of motion at this evening’s Council session. Councillor Younger suggested an increase to the fees to make the program more cost recovery.
MOVED BY Councillor Younger, seconded by Councillor Uteck that the four following amendments be included in the by-law:
1. Replace Section 14 with the following: NOISE 14 (1) No owner of an animal shall knowingly or not knowingly allow any animal to make noise excessively. (2) For the purposes of this section, a dog shall be deemed to be making noise excessively if it barks or howls repeatedly for a period of twenty (20) minutes.
2. Add the following to Section 17:(9) The municipality may, by Administrative Order, establish a committee to monitor shelter operations and establish guidelines on humane treatment and euthanasia.
3. Add and/or modify Section 18 as follows:Amend (1) by adding:“business” between “three (3)” and “days”Amend (a) to read:(a) be sold, adopted; or
Add a new section (3) as follows:(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this by-law, no animal kept by the shelter keeper may be sold, adopted, or otherwise disposed of for laboratoryor any other experimental purpose.
4. In Section 20 replace the minimum fine of $100 with a minimum fine of $200.
As the four amendments were distributed just prior to today’s Council session without anopportunity for staff/Councillors to review the information, Ms. Donovan suggested that staff provide a supplementary report that would speak to Councillor Younger’s four proposed amendments before the draft by-law goes forward for first reading. The supplementary report could provide some refinement in the language to achieve the objective of the amendments without causing prosecution problems. Ms. Donovan clarified for Councillor Younger that no notice of motion has been given therefore,Council may approve in principle what has been presented then give notice of motion this evening. The supplementary report would be available at the first reading stage. Councillor Younger stressed that the information contained in the supplementary report be included in the by-law in advance of the public hearing.
Various members of Council expressed concern with the inability of HRM to enforce some of the regulations in the proposed by-Law such as: not feeding waterfowl on HRM property, requirement for certificates of spaying/neutering of cats, licensing of cats. Concern was also expressed that some aspects of the by-law would set false expectations and that the limitationof three dogs/three cats would be taking rights away from responsible pet owners.
Councillor Snow commented that By-Law Enforcement (animal control) is the most underfunded department in HRM and there is no point in having a by-law if we do not have the resources.
Councillor Kent suggested the wording be reviewed as some of the definitions are confusing.
Councillors Wile, Adams and Harvey suggested that there be some provision in the by-lawregarding citizens who deliberately feed pigeons (waterfowl) on private property.Ms. Donovan suggested the concern of feeding pigeons on private property be included in the supplementary report.
Deputy Mayor Goucher recommended that Councillor Younger’s amendments and additional comments of Council heard today be considered by staff. He clarified that the current motion is to include the licensing and limitation of cats in the by-law. Mr. Anstey responded to Councillor Smith that the February 8, 2005 minutes show that Council approved in principle the section respecting cats. Additional issues such as limitation and licensing are now to be considered. Mr. Anguish explained that the licensing of cats will be part of the budget preparation as money will have to be invested to commence the program. He advised staff will return with more information on that matter at a later date.
Councillor Murphy expressed concern that the public have not been educated on spaying/neutering/licensing of their pets nor have they been given information on how to be a responsible pet owner. Mr. Anguish responded that funds are being reclaimed in regards tothe current contract as the education aspect was not fulfilled. Mr. Anguish responded to Councillor Kent that the HRM website will be updated with information for the public once staff receive clear direction from Council on what it is Council would like to have included in the proposed by-law.
Councillor Hendsbee suggested that a fee and fine table be included with the by-law to provide clear reference to the registration fees as well as the fines for non-compliance. He further suggested that there be mandatory registration for all cats and dogs and that the penalization structure have incremental fines for repeat offenders. He encouraged the promotion of responsible pet ownership through the offering of a rebate on fees if the pet is spayed/neutered. He also suggested that addresses convicted of cruelty to animals be banned from the ownership of pets. Council agreed that this item be deferred and that staff provide a supplementary report at that time. Council was encouraged to forward additional comments to staff for review.
Please contact your city councillor to give your feedback. The new law limits a household to owning no more than 3 cats, and will no longer allow cats to roam at large. Residents will be able to rent a trap from Animal Control to catch the offending cat ( whether it is a suspected stray or a known neighbour's pesky cat) and give it to Animal Control to dispose of. The city currently does not have a contract with the SPCA so they have no place to bring the cats they would be catching... Why pass a By-law if the city cannot even afford the budget to enforce it?
Here are some suggestions I will be making to the people working on the propsed by-law:
I feel strongly that all pets going outside should wear ID tags and be licensed.
The new law should involve mandatory spaying and neutering of household pets, so unless you are a licensed breeder your pets cannot add to the growing population problem. If people would spay their cats, there would be less of them roaming on the streets, females in heat often escape and never return home, having their kittens in the wild. Male cats must be neutered, females don't get themselves pregnant. I am tired of hearing irresponsible owners of male cats say "well, I don't have any kittens" - think about how many babies your big boy has sired without your knowledge.
4. PROPOSED HARMONIZED BY-LAW A-300 - RESPECTING ANIMALS
• A report dated June 29, 2005 was before Council.
• Four suggested amendments submitted by Councillor Younger were before Council.
• An e-mail dated October 25, 2005 from Councillor Sloane was before Council.
Mr. Brad Anguish, Director, Environmental Management Services, presented the report assisted by Mr. Allan Waye, General Manager, Community Projects, EMS, Ms. AndreaMacDonald, Manager, Animal Control/Taxi & Limo Services, and Ms. Stefanie Turner,Operations Coordinator, Animal Control Services.
MOVED BY Councillor Hendsbee, seconded by Councillor Harvey that Council give first reading to By-Law A-300, Respecting Animals (attached as Appendix “A”), and set a public hearing date to adopt the By-Law and repeal the existing animal related By-Laws to come into effect June 1, 2006. Mayor Kelly left the meeting at 2:19 pm. Deputy Mayor Goucher assumed the Chair at this time. Mr. Waye and Ms. MacDonald advised that staff were not looking for a recommendation today as there are minor refinements to be made to the draft By-Law.
Deputy Mayor Goucher suggested the motion be to approve in principle in order to move the item forward for a notice of motion at this evening’s Council session. Councillor Younger suggested an increase to the fees to make the program more cost recovery.
MOVED BY Councillor Younger, seconded by Councillor Uteck that the four following amendments be included in the by-law:
1. Replace Section 14 with the following: NOISE 14 (1) No owner of an animal shall knowingly or not knowingly allow any animal to make noise excessively. (2) For the purposes of this section, a dog shall be deemed to be making noise excessively if it barks or howls repeatedly for a period of twenty (20) minutes.
2. Add the following to Section 17:(9) The municipality may, by Administrative Order, establish a committee to monitor shelter operations and establish guidelines on humane treatment and euthanasia.
3. Add and/or modify Section 18 as follows:Amend (1) by adding:“business” between “three (3)” and “days”Amend (a) to read:(a) be sold, adopted; or
Add a new section (3) as follows:(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this by-law, no animal kept by the shelter keeper may be sold, adopted, or otherwise disposed of for laboratoryor any other experimental purpose.
4. In Section 20 replace the minimum fine of $100 with a minimum fine of $200.
As the four amendments were distributed just prior to today’s Council session without anopportunity for staff/Councillors to review the information, Ms. Donovan suggested that staff provide a supplementary report that would speak to Councillor Younger’s four proposed amendments before the draft by-law goes forward for first reading. The supplementary report could provide some refinement in the language to achieve the objective of the amendments without causing prosecution problems. Ms. Donovan clarified for Councillor Younger that no notice of motion has been given therefore,Council may approve in principle what has been presented then give notice of motion this evening. The supplementary report would be available at the first reading stage. Councillor Younger stressed that the information contained in the supplementary report be included in the by-law in advance of the public hearing.
Various members of Council expressed concern with the inability of HRM to enforce some of the regulations in the proposed by-Law such as: not feeding waterfowl on HRM property, requirement for certificates of spaying/neutering of cats, licensing of cats. Concern was also expressed that some aspects of the by-law would set false expectations and that the limitationof three dogs/three cats would be taking rights away from responsible pet owners.
Councillor Snow commented that By-Law Enforcement (animal control) is the most underfunded department in HRM and there is no point in having a by-law if we do not have the resources.
Councillor Kent suggested the wording be reviewed as some of the definitions are confusing.
Councillors Wile, Adams and Harvey suggested that there be some provision in the by-lawregarding citizens who deliberately feed pigeons (waterfowl) on private property.Ms. Donovan suggested the concern of feeding pigeons on private property be included in the supplementary report.
Deputy Mayor Goucher recommended that Councillor Younger’s amendments and additional comments of Council heard today be considered by staff. He clarified that the current motion is to include the licensing and limitation of cats in the by-law. Mr. Anstey responded to Councillor Smith that the February 8, 2005 minutes show that Council approved in principle the section respecting cats. Additional issues such as limitation and licensing are now to be considered. Mr. Anguish explained that the licensing of cats will be part of the budget preparation as money will have to be invested to commence the program. He advised staff will return with more information on that matter at a later date.
Councillor Murphy expressed concern that the public have not been educated on spaying/neutering/licensing of their pets nor have they been given information on how to be a responsible pet owner. Mr. Anguish responded that funds are being reclaimed in regards tothe current contract as the education aspect was not fulfilled. Mr. Anguish responded to Councillor Kent that the HRM website will be updated with information for the public once staff receive clear direction from Council on what it is Council would like to have included in the proposed by-law.
Councillor Hendsbee suggested that a fee and fine table be included with the by-law to provide clear reference to the registration fees as well as the fines for non-compliance. He further suggested that there be mandatory registration for all cats and dogs and that the penalization structure have incremental fines for repeat offenders. He encouraged the promotion of responsible pet ownership through the offering of a rebate on fees if the pet is spayed/neutered. He also suggested that addresses convicted of cruelty to animals be banned from the ownership of pets. Council agreed that this item be deferred and that staff provide a supplementary report at that time. Council was encouraged to forward additional comments to staff for review.
Please contact your city councillor to give your feedback. The new law limits a household to owning no more than 3 cats, and will no longer allow cats to roam at large. Residents will be able to rent a trap from Animal Control to catch the offending cat ( whether it is a suspected stray or a known neighbour's pesky cat) and give it to Animal Control to dispose of. The city currently does not have a contract with the SPCA so they have no place to bring the cats they would be catching... Why pass a By-law if the city cannot even afford the budget to enforce it?
Here are some suggestions I will be making to the people working on the propsed by-law:
I feel strongly that all pets going outside should wear ID tags and be licensed.
The new law should involve mandatory spaying and neutering of household pets, so unless you are a licensed breeder your pets cannot add to the growing population problem. If people would spay their cats, there would be less of them roaming on the streets, females in heat often escape and never return home, having their kittens in the wild. Male cats must be neutered, females don't get themselves pregnant. I am tired of hearing irresponsible owners of male cats say "well, I don't have any kittens" - think about how many babies your big boy has sired without your knowledge.
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