HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7264 INFORMAL REPORT M CITY COUNCIL ME`%A;3ERS No. 7264
G110)?? To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
X Subject: ANIMAL VACCINATION CLINIC March 8, 1988
071
Fort Worth City Code Sec. 6-43 states "it shall be unlawful for ay person to
own, keep, harbor or have custody or control of a dog or cat over four (4)
month of age unless such animal has been immunized against rabies
Sec. 6-25 states "it shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, or harbor
or have custody or control of any dog over four (4) months of age within the
city without first obtaining a val-9--license for each such animal
City license tags cannot be issued without a current valid rabies certificate
issued by a license veterinarian. Current regulations require annual rabies
immunization and annual city license. Both are valid for one (1 ) year from
date of issuance.
The City of Fort Worth has an animal population estimated at 150,000 of which
90,000 will require an annual license. In 1987 the city issued 2,115
licenses. Staff has evaluated several alternatives for increasing the number
of licensed animals. Among those have been educational presentations at
local schools, working with local veterinarians to encourage them to inform
their clients to obtain a city license and providing local clinics for low
cost rabies immunization and city licensing.
In an effort to increase the number of rabies immunizations and provide
education to pet owners, staff has been working with the Hearts of. Texas
Foundation which sponsors a mobile vet clinic. The clinic has operated in
Dallas County for the past five years , and expanded into the Tarrant County
areas in 1987.
The clinic operated approximately 30 days at K-Mart parking lots in the Fort
Worth area from April thru September of 1987. During this period of time the
clinic served 1 ,371 clients (out of an estimated 208,000 or 0.66% of the
total clients available to be served by local veterinarians). Out of the
1 ,371 clients served in 1987, 51% stated they did not use local veterinarians
and could not have had the pet immunized if the clinic was not available.
Staff has received phone calls from local veterinarians stating they do not
approve of this clinic operating in Fort Worth. Local veterinarians have
stated they will loose clients and the services provided by the mobile clinic
verterinarian are not according to regulations. Staff has received no
information to support the claim that the services which are proposed are not
according to regulations.
Staff contends this is a service which can provide citizens with low cost
animal care and education on responsible pet ownership. Aimal Control staff
would be available at each clinic during their operating times to issue city
licenses and to discuss the role of animal control.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7264 (pq-- P-)
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
CO Subject:
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Animal Vaccination Clinic March 8, 1988
Staff has been in contact with local veterinarians regarding this program.
We have agreed to meet and discuss the needs of the community and how the
veteriniarians can help the city meet those needs. The proposed program will
not be implemented until the meeting with the veterinarians take place.
Should the City Council desire additional information, it will be provided.
414e--Douglas Harman
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS