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Council amends downtown zoning to allow cat adoptions at Cat’s Cradle and similar operators
Summary
Harrisonburg council approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance to permit pet adoptions limited to cats in the B-1 central business district, allowing Cat’s Cradle to complete adoptions at its downtown location rather than relying on off-site handoffs.
HARRISONBURG — The city council on April 8 approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow pet adoptions limited to cats in the B-1 central business district, a change proposed by Cat’s Cradle of the Shenandoah Valley.
City staff said the zoning code previously defined “pet shop” but did not separately define “pet adoptions,” and that pet shops were permitted in the B-2 district but not the B-1 downtown district. The ordinance amendment creates two definitions (pet adoption and pet shop) and adds pet adoption — limited to cats only — as a permitted use in B-1. The change leaves pet shops and broader animal exchange regulated in B-2.
Sherry (executive director of Cat’s Cradle) told council the nonprofit does about 600–650 adoptions per year, runs a foster‑based operation with roughly 100–125 cats in its inventory at any time, and relies heavily on volunteers to transport cats to off-site transaction locations such as PetSmart. She said allowing adoptions to be completed at the downtown location would simplify the process and reduce missed adoption opportunities, although the organization said it would continue foster-based placement for most animals.
Planning staff and the planning commission supported the amendment; the planning commission recommended approval without dissent at its hearing. At council, a motion to approve the ordinance amendment carried on a unanimous roll call vote.
