OK, I know you are all tired of me hammering on you about San Antonio, but this is it! Please take a few minutes to help fight this ordinance.
Thanks,
Ward

December 9, 2007
FROM: AKC's Canine Legislation Department
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3374
The San Antonio City Council will decide on proposed major revisions to its
animal ordinance at the Thursday, December 13th, "A Session" meeting. Public
comment will be accepted at this hearing prior to the council's vote. It is
imperative that all concerned San Antonio-area breeders and owners strongly
voice their opposition to this proposal.

The American Kennel Club and its Texas federation of owners, the Responsible
Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA), support reasonable and enforceable laws that
govern dog ownership. However, we believe that the San Antonio
proposal is wrongheaded. Not only are the proposed changes unreasonable and
unenforceable, but because they are unfunded, they will also be a drain on
existing and future animal control efforts in San Antonio. Specifically,
the proposed ordinance will:

a.. Require the mandatory spay/neuter of all dogs over six months of age,
unless an Intact Dog Permit is acquired. The AKC opposes the concept of
breeding bans or mandatory spay/neuter of purebred dogs as would be
imposed by the proposal. Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable
laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not
restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities
seriously.

b.. Classify most kennels as a "commercial kennel" and impose considerable
regulations upon such facilities. As currently defined by the
proposal, most places where dogs are kept could reasonably qualify as
commercial kennels, including homes of many hobby breeders and rescue
groups. Such facilities will be subsequently subject to unreasonable
building standards that will be impossible for smaller breeders and dog
owners who maintain dogs in their own residential premises to comply with,
and unproven animal husbandry standards that risk transfer of infectious and
contagious diseases.

c.. Limit breeders by requiring them to acquire Litter Permits. The AKC
opposes the concept of breeding permits.

d.. Impose new limit laws. Owners with more animals than the limit laws
allow will be required to acquire an excess animal permit, and will
require the mandatory spay/neuter of all animals kept over the limit amount.
The AKC opposes unreasonable limitations on pet ownership. Instead, we
strongly endorse the right to own, keep, and breed dogs in a responsible and
humane manner.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Contact San Antonio city officials and tell them you oppose the proposed
changes to the San Antonio Animal Ordinance. Encourage them to
develop animal policies that are reasonable and enforceable.

Contact information for San Antonio officials (address for all):
City of San Antonio
PO Box 839966
San Antonio, TX 78283

Mayor Phil Hardberger
Phone: (210) 207-7060
Fax: (210) 207-4168
E-mail: mayorphilhardberger@sanantonio.gov

City Manager Sheryl Sculley
Phone: (210) 207-7080
Fax: (210) 207-4217
E-mail: citymanager@sanantonio.gov

Deputy City Manager Pat DiGiovanni
Phone: (210) 207-6912
Fax: (210) 207-4122
E-mail: PDiGiovanni@sanantonio.gov

Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros
Phone: (210) 207-7279
Fax: (210) 207-6931
E-mail: maryalice.cisneros@sanantonio.gov

Councilwoman Sheila McNeil
Phone: (210) 207-7278
Fax: (210) 207-4496
E-mail: district2@sanantonio.gov

Councilman Roland Gutierrez
Phone: (210) 207-7064
Fax: (210) 534-1931
E-mail: district3@sanantonio.gov

Councilman Philip Cortez
Phone: (210) 207-7281
Fax: (210) 678-0099
E-mail: district4@sanantonio.gov

Councilwoman Lourdes Galvan
Phone: (210) 207-7043
Fax: (210) 212-4860
E-mail: vsalazar@sanantonio.gov

Councilwoman Delicia Herrera
Phone: (210) 207-7065
Fax: (210) 207-8760
E-mail: district 6@sanantonio.gov

Councilman Justin Rodriguez
Phone: (210) 207-7044
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: district7@sanantonio.gov

Councilwoman Diane Cibrian
Phone: (210) 207-7086
Fax: (210) 949-0439
E-mail: diane.cibrian@sanantonio.gov

Councilman Kevin Wolff
Phone: (210) 207-7325
Fax: (210) 341-2092
E-mail: kwolff@sanantonio.gov

Councilman John Clamp
Phone: (210) 207-7276
Fax: (210) 207-7027
E-mail: john.clamp@sanantonio.gov