Agenda 02/12/2013 Item #16D142/12/2013 16.D.14.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to renew the Memorandum of Understanding between Collier County and the
Collier Community Cat Coalition to coordinate a community -based Trap - Neuter- Return Program
for feral cats
Objective: To diminish the number of feral cats in Collier County.
Considerations: On January 26, 2010, the BCC approved changes to the animal control
ordinance that included revisions to accommodate trap- neuter - return of feral cats when a
community agency is contracted with Collier County to monitor and manage such a program. In
addition, the BCC approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Collier
Community Cat Coalition (Coalition) to monitor and manage the trap- neuter -return program.
Under the MOU, the Coalition assures best management practices are observed by caregivers,
collects and reports statistical data regarding their activities, reclaims any managed feral cat
impounded by Animal Services, and intervenes to correct general nuisance violations created by
managed feral cats. The MOU stipulates that the program be reviewed after a three -year time
period to assess its success and the MOU was set to expire three years from the date of
execution.
n The relationship between Collier County Domestic Animal Services and the Collier Community
Cat Coalition has been very successful. To date, the Coalition has 1014 cats managed in 84
colonies. The Coalition works to remedy nuisances if citizens have complaints about colony cats,
and reclaims managed cats impounded at Domestic Animal Services. To date the Coalition has
reclaimed over 150 cats that would otherwise have been euthanized at DAS, and has sterilized
over 3000 cats in the community, preventing the proliferation of thousands of homeless animals.
Cat intake at DAS has been reduced by 20% in the past two years, and the live release rate for
cats has improved by 8 %. Based on the success of the relationship with the Coalition, DAS is
recommending that Collier County enter into another MOU with the Coalition for an additional
three years.
n
The MOU being recommended has incorporated the same terms as the prior MOU with the
exception of a few minor changes. Section IV has been amended to state, "If BCC obtains
custody of an ear notched/tipped/otherwise marked cat, CCCC will be notified and given 120
hours to reclaim; [ ... ]." Also, Section V was amended to
reflect the new President and notification information of the Coalition. These are the only
changes from the January 26, 2010 MOU with the Coalition to the MOU being recommended
today.
Advisory Board Recommendation: At its January 15, 2013 meeting, the Domestic Animal
Services Advisory Board (DASAB) voted to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners
that the Memorandum of Understanding with the Collier Community Cat Coalition be renewed
with the above - mentioned changes.
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Fiscal Impact: No Fiscal Impact is associated with this action.
Growth Manaaement Impact: No Growth Management Impact is associated with this action.
Legal Considerations: The proposed action has been reviewed by the County Attorney's
Office and is legally sufficient for Board action. - ERP
Recommendation: That the Board of County Commissioners renews the Memorandum of
Understanding between Collier County and the Collier Community Cat Coalition to coordinate a
community -based Trap- Neuter -Return Program for feral cats.
Prepared bV: Amanda Townsend, Director, Domestic Animal Services
Attachments: Memorandum of Understanding
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2/12/2013 16.D.14.
^ COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.16.D.16.D.14.
Item Summary: Recommendation to renew the Memorandum of Understanding between
Collier County and the Collier Community Cat Coalition to coordinate a community -based Trap -
Neuter- Return Program for feral cats
Meeting Date: 2/12/2013
Prepared By
Name: GuevaraEkna
Title: VALUE MISSING
1/17/2013 4:36:57 PM
Submitted by
Title: VALUE MISSING
Name: GuevaraEkna
1/17/2013 4:36:59 PM
Approved By
Name: TownsendAmanda
Title: Director - Domestic Animal Services,Domestic Anima
Date: 1/23/2013 3:41:58 PM
Name: BetancurNatali
Title: Operations Analys, Parks & Rec -NCRP Admin
Date: 1/25/2013 8:40:13 AM
Name: BetancurNatali
Title: Operations Analys, Parks & Rec -NCRP Admin
Date: 1/25/2013 8:47:35 AM
Name: CarnellSteve
Title: Director - Purchasing/General Services,Purchasing
Date: 1/25/2013 9:41:34 AM
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Name: PepinEmily ^
Title: Assistant County Attorney, CAO Litigation
Date: 1/31/2013 1:27:35 PM
Name: FinnEd
Title: Senior Budget Analyst, OMB
Date: 1/31/2013 3:33:55 PM
Name: KlatzkowJeff
Title: County Attorney
Date: 2/1/2013 10:25:32 AM
Name: OchsLeo
Title: County Manager
Date: 2/3/2013 12:11:51 PM
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TNR Proeram
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)
between
Collier Community Cat Coalition, a Florida Not for Profit Corporation
hereinafter ( "CCCC ")
and
Collier County Board of County Commissioners
hereinafter ( "BCC ")
L PURPOSE & SCOPE
The purpose of this MOU is to clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of each party as they
relate to the implementation of a trap, neuter, and return .program ( "TNR") as described in the
Collier County Animal Control Ordinance. To support this goal, CCCC and BCC will work
cooperatively to ensure that all appropriate safeguards and regulations are performed and
implemented. Both CCCC and BCC should ensure that TNR program activities are conducted in
compliance with all applicable Federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
H. BACKGROUND
Collier County has determined that the optimal method to manage and limit the number of feral
cats is to utilize a community based TNR program. The CCCC is an entity that has been
established to coordinate and lead the community effort.
III. CCCC RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS MOU
CCCC shall undertake the following activities:
1. Where a feral cat colony exists and is not being managed, the CCCC will attempt to establish
management of the colony.
2. Where a colony is being managed, the CCCC will ensure that the colony has a Caregiver and
a back -up Caregiver and that the Caregiver will:
2.1. Regularly feed and water, and provide shelter if possible to the cats in the colony;
2.2. Vaccinate and re- vaccinate the cats in the colony against the rabies virus as appropriate;
2.3. Spay and neuter the cats in the colony;
2.4. Once they are vaccinated and spayed or neutered, a veterinarian will also ear notch or ear
tip the cats in the colony;
2.5. Obtain written approval of the property owner on which cats live and the owner of any
property the Caregiver must traverse;
2.6. Ensure that the colony is not on public park, school, or conservation land;
2.7. Remove adoptable cats and kittens from the colony with the objective of placing them in
permanent homes to live as domesticated cats;
2.8. Use humane means to decrease the overall number of cats in a colony; and
2.9. The CCCC will not create new feral cat colonies.
3. Caregivers will report the following data to the CCCC on an annual basis:
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3.1. Location of each colony,
3.2. Proof of property owner's permission to access private property;
3.3. Number of cats in each colony managed by the Caregiver;
3.4. Number of cats spayed and neutered in each colony for the prior year, and for the current
reporting period;
3.5. Number of cats vaccinated in each colony for the prior year, and for the current
reporting period;
3.6. Any significant medical care administered to cats in the colony;
3.7. Number of cats born to the colony and their status /dispositions;
3.8. Number of cats introduced to the colony;
3.9. Number of cats that have died and/or left the colony;
3.10. Time in hours spent on colony care giving activities;
3.11. Any change in management of the colonies; and
3.12. The schedule of routine care giving activities.
4. CCCC will report aggregate information as outlined above to BCC on an annual basis.
5. CCCC will report information on individual colonies upon BCC request. Individual records
must be kept for each cat indicating dates of vaccination, revaccination, spay /neuter or any
other significant care given. Records for individual cats must be accurate and specific enough
to allow the health officer or designee to make determinations regarding rabies quarantine
protocols as contemplated in the Collier County Animal Control Ordinance Section Six.
6. Where a colony is being managed and is not registered with the CCCC, the Caregiver will be
given ninety (90) days to register the colony with the CCCC. Thereafter, standard
enforcement protocols will apply.
7. If a colony is being managed and its numbers are not decreasing, CCCC will intervene to
improve management.
BCC RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS MOU
BCC shall undertake the following activities:
1. In the event that BCC receives a complaint alleging a violation of Section Eight of the
Ordinance, the CCCC will be given fifteen (15) days to remedy; thereafter, standard
enforcement will apply.
2. In the event that BCC receives a complaint alleging a violation of Section Nine of the
Ordinance no duty to notify CCCC exists, and regular enforcement rules apply.
3. If BCC obtains custody of an ear notched/tipped/otherwise marked cat, CCCC will be
notified and given 120 hours to reclaim; thereafter all normal provisions apply. For
subsequent impoundments of the same cat fees will apply. Upon the third impoundment of
the same cat, citations may apply.
4. BCC assumes no liability for Caregivers.
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V. NOTIFIICATION
All notifications and communications regarding activities covered by this MOU will be made in
writing to the parties as follows:
1. For the CCCC:
Megan Sorbara, President
Collier Community Cat Coalition
PO Box 990908
Naples, Florida 34116
2. For the BCC:
Amanda Townsend, Director
Collier County Domestic Animal Services
7610 Davis Blvd.
Naples, Florida 34104
VI. IT IS MUTUALLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTIES
THAT:
1. The program will be reviewed in three (3) years to determine its success.
2. This MOU does not include the reimbursement of funds between the two parties. In all
instances where fees apply, the CCCC is responsible.
3. All records must be retained for three (3) years. This requirement applies to all records,
reports, and colony information.
4. For the purpose of this MOU a feral cat's Caregiver shall be considered its owner.
5. Either party may terminate this agreement for any reason with thirty (30) days written notice
to the other party.
VII. EFFECTIVE DATE AND SIGNATURE
This MOU shall be effective upon the signature of CCCC and BCC authorized officials. It shall
be in force for three years from date of execution.
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CCCC and BCC indicate agreement with this MOU by their signatures.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: By:
Deputy Clerk , CHAIRMAN
COLLIER COMMUNITY CAT COALITION
BY:
Date: % .-
Approved as to form and
legal sufficiency: n
b4d -—u
Assistant County Attorney
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