Meetings to be held July 9; Aug. 6 & 22
The City of Kansas City, Missouri, is inviting residents to attend a series of public meetings so that they can weigh in on the pros and cons of an ordinance being developed to improve the way the City takes care of animals in distress.
An audit released last year concluded that the Animal Health and Public Safety Division (AHPS) can better achieve its goal to improve animal welfare and public safety by focusing more on education and field resolution, rather than code enforcement.
More than two thirds of animals impounded for cruelty-neglect violations in KCMO are not reclaimed by their owners. These owners, the audit states, might be empowered to break the cycle of neglect if they are educated on responsible pet ownership.
Animal Health and KC Pet Project (KCPP), which provides shelter services for the City, are working with Spay and Neuter KC and other animal welfare stakeholders to revise the ordinance.
“We believe a shared vision of the City’s animal health and public safety approach will emerge from a collective revision of the ordinance,” said Patrick Egberuare, Animal Health and Public Safety Division Manager.
Those who attend the meetings will be asked to comment on a number of questions including modifying restrictions of the number of pets KCMO residents can own, mandatory spay or neutering of dogs and cats and revisions in neglect and abuse ordinances.
Once the meetings are complete, citizen input will be reviewed and a recommendation will be presented to the City Council for a vote.
The meetings will start at 6 p.m. and are scheduled for:
Monday, July 9, at Gregg/Klice Community Center, 1600 John "Buck" O’Neil Way
Monday, Aug. 6, at Southeast Community Center, 4201 E. 63rd St.
Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Northlands Neighborhood Incorporated, 4420 NE Chouteau Trafficway, Suite 100
For more information, contact Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department Communications/Community Liaison John Baccala at (816) 513-3202.