AGENDA TITLE:
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Public Hearing to Consider Waiving the First Reading and Introducing an Ordinance Amending Lodi Municipal Code, Title 1 (General Provisions) Chapter 1.10 “Administrative Enforcement Provision” and Title 6 (Animals) Section 6.04.030 “Redemption of Impounded Animals”; Chapter 6.08 “Prohibited Animals”; Section 6.12.010 “License-Required”; Section 6.12.060 “Vaccination-Required-Certificate-Exceptions”; Section 6.12.070 “Business of Breeding or Raising”; Section 6.12.110 “Animal Noise”; Section 6.12.120 “Animals at Large”; Section 6.12.150 “Mandatory Microchipping of Dogs and Cats”; Section 6.14.020 “Sanitation of Premises”; Section 6.14.030 “Removal of Animal Waste”; Section 6.14.050 “Management of Cat Population; Permitted Acts”; Section 6.15.010 “Definitions”; and Section 6.15.020 “Behavior Prohibited. (PD/CA)
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MEETING DATE:
December 17, 2025
PREPARED BY:
Meghan Ramczyk, Animal Services, Rick Garcia, Chief of Police, and Kevin Kent, Police Captain
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Public hearing to consider waiving the first reading and introducing an ordinance amending Lodi Municipal Code, Title 1 (General Provisions) Chapter 1.10 “Administrative Enforcement Provision” and Title 6 (Animals) Section 6.04.030 “Redemption of Impounded Animals”; Chapter 6.08 “Prohibited Animals”; Section 6.12.010 “License-Required”; Section 6.12.060 “Vaccination-Required-Certificate-Exceptions”; Section 6.12.070 “Business of Breeding or Raising”; Section 6.12.110 “Animal Noise”; Section 6.12.120 “Animals at Large”; Section 6.12.150 “Mandatory Microchipping of Dogs and Cats”; Section 6.14.020 “Sanitation of Premises”; Section 6.14.030 “Removal of Animal Waste”; Section 6.14.050 “Management of Cat Population; Permitted Acts”; Section 6.15.010 “Definitions”; and Section 6.15.020 “Behavior Prohibited.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Lodi Animal Services Division (“Animal Services”) provides care and services for Lodi residents and pets alike. From field response to animal shelter care, help finding adoptable animals new homes, providing humane education, and investigating violations or Lodi Municipal Code (LMC) and animal cruelty cases, the Animal Services staff work to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and animals in Lodi.
To better perform their regular duties, Animal Services staff members have reviewed the LMC regulations and worked with the City Attorney’s office to propose amendments to the current LMC text to clarify definitions, authority, and procedures. Additionally, the proposed amendments would establish a new trap, neuter, and return (TNR) program to help address the growing feral cat population.
The proposed revisions are intended to make the LMC animal code provisions clearer for the community and allow Animal Services staff to better perform their duties. To accomplish this, the proposed ordinance includes the following key changes in the LMC Chapters as follows:
• Chapter 1.10 - Defining an “enforcement officer” and clarifying LMC enforcement authority.
• Chapter 6.08 - adds definitions, prohibits feeding feral cats, and clarifies that violations of the chapter are infractions rather than misdemeanors.
• Chapter 6.04 and 6.12 - clarifies and limits permissible breeding and sales of dogs and cats, adds the microchipping requirement for impounded animals to contain current owner information, so owners can easily be identified and contacted if the animal is impounded in the future, and clarifies that violations of the LMC chapters are infractions rather than misdemeanors.
• Chapter 6.14 - establishes the TNR program, and clarifies that violations are infractions rather than misdemeanors.
• Chapter 6.15 - clarifies the definitions of “potentially dangerous dog” versus a “vicious dog” and adds a reference to “permitted poultry” when considering impacts to domestic animals.
The two main substantive additions in the proposed ordinance are related to microchipping requirements and the TNR program. A microchip is a form of permanent identification with countless benefits. Pets that are microchipped are far more likely to be reunited with their owners, whether they have become lost or have been stolen. Microchipping is a state requirement for any dog or cat exiting the shelter, and this amendment would bring Lodi Animal Services into state compliance.
TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) has become the industry standard for managing outdoor cat populations. Research has shown that it is the most humane and effective way to manage the populations of outdoor/ free-roaming cats. TNR practices prevent reproduction, and thus hundreds of homeless kittens in need. It drastically reduces unwanted behaviors such as spraying, mating, yowling, and fighting. A sterilized colony will help to prevent new, unsterilized cats to enter the area, and reduces the strain placed on local animal welfare organizations. TNR is the compassionate approach to managing outdoor cat colonies, as well as the best long-term solution to reducing the overall numbers of outdoor cat populations.
The clean version of the proposed amendments (Attachment 1) and redlines showing the changes (Attachment 2) are included for Council consideration. Therefore, staff requests that the Council consider waiving the first reading and introducing the proposed ordinance in Attachment 1 amending the LMC as noted above.
STRATEGIC VISION:
7G. Public Safety: High levels of community involvement by public safety employees.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not Applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not Applicable.