Big changes ahead forPV animal control laws? Big changes ahead forPV animal control laws? (April 03, 2002)

**Cats may require licensing and neutering; town to preside over dangerous-animal hearings.

By Sharon Driscoll

Almanac Staff Writer

Portola Valley residents will be required to license and neuter their cats if proposed changes to the town's Animal Control Ordinance are approved.

The Town Council will consider adopting a new, much revised ordinance when it meets on Wednesday, April 10, at 8 p.m. in the Historic Schoolhouse at 765 Portola Road.

According to Town Administrator Angela Howard, the big changes under consideration are: **A new licensing requirement for cats (already applies to dogs). **Rules that would require all cat owners to spay or neuter their pets by the age of 6 months unless they obtain a special breeding permit. **Town control of dangerous-animal hearings.

In explaining why the town is moving toward the new requirements, Ms. Howard cited the growing feral cat problem in the county, and the recommendation of the county to regulate the local cat population.

Town Attorney Sandy Sloan said that there would be a grace period of several months for the new requirement for cat licensing, if adopted.

Dangerous-animal hearings would be controlled locally with the mayor, town administrator, and one council member presiding. Ms. Howard explained that the suggestion to change from the current practice of having the Peninsula Humane Society run the hearings came from a resident, and the council decided it made sense.