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Police chief reviews animal-control code; council asks whether cats should be licensed
Summary
Lemoore’s police chief summarized the city’s animal-control ordinance — including mandatory dog licensing, impoundment, microchipping and a spay/neuter release requirement — and councilors asked staff to research whether the city should add a cat-licensing requirement or other community-based Trap-Neuter-Return options.
Chief Kendall reviewed Lemoore’s 15-page animal-control ordinance during a study-session review, telling the council that “every person who owns a dog in the city is required to obtain a license” and that unlicensed animals found at large are impounded until licensed and microchipped. He said the municipal code requires impounded animals to be implanted with a microchip and to be spayed or neutered prior to release if not already done.
Council members pressed staff about the ordinance’s different treatment of dogs and cats: Section 51-77 currently exempts cats from some controls, and at least one councilor said community frustration about roaming cats is substantial. “If we approach it that way and not charge them to get licensed…require them to show proof of microchip,” one council member said, urging staff to explore options to encourage responsible pet ownership.
Councilors discussed model approaches in other cities, including Long Beach, and local nonprofit or regional services that support Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) clinics. Staff and councilors noted limited local capacity for city-led spay/neuter clinics; several speakers referenced the SNIP mobile clinic in Fresno county and the past activity of Friends of Kings County Animal Control.
A member of the public observed that cats near the naval base can be a recurring problem because military transfers sometimes leave animals behind, and councilors asked staff to research grants or partnerships to support TNR or other mitigation steps. Chief Kendall confirmed that the California Penal Code requires the department to provide care for injured animals and reiterated that the ordinance’s licensing and impoundment provisions are intended for public health and safety.
The council made no formal change to the ordinance at the meeting but asked staff to review Long Beach’s policies, check regional resources (including mobile clinics), and return with options. Staff acknowledged they would do additional research and report back.
