HomeMy WebLinkAbout6773 ORDINANCE NO. 6773
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AUBURN, WASHINGTON, RELATING TO TEMPORARILY
SUSPENDING AUBURN CITY CODE 6.01.110 REQUIRING
SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF IMPOUNDED ANIMALS
THAT ARE ADOPTED DURING THE EMERGENCY
DECLARED TO ADDRESS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
WHEREAS, the coronavirus identified as COVID-19 has reached pandemic
proportions and the United States, the State of Washington, and King County have each
proclaimed emergencies to exist as a result; and
WHEREAS, on March 5, 2020, the Mayor proclaimed an emergency to exist in
Auburn as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the city council ratified the
proclamation on March 12, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the facts giving rise to that proclamation continue to exist as the
country, state, and county still suffer deaths from coronavirus; and
WHEREAS, due to a series of actions taken by the Governor to help slow the
spread of the virus, most notably ordering individuals to quarantine in their homes unless
needing to perform essential activities, the Auburn Valley Human Society has operated
with a reduced staff, an absence of volunteers, and while practicing social distancing, all
of which delay accomplishment of the organization's mission; and
WHEREAS, to address the emergency, the National Animal Care & Control
Association recommends that shelters limit surgeries to emergency operations, and
reduce the number of animals in custody by adopting or fostering animals without
conducting spay or neutering surgeries first; and
Ordinance No. 6773
DATE April 15, 2020
Page 1 of 3 Rev.2019
WHEREAS, Auburn City Code 6.01.110 requires that as a condition of adopting
an animal from the Auburn Valley Humane Shelter, an unaltered animal be spayed or
neutered; and
WHEREAS, the authority to temporarily suspend the aforementioned obligation to
spay and neuter prospective adoptive animals should be of limited duration expiring on
the date the Governor rescinds the Stay Home - Stay Healthy order.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN as follows:
Section 1. Unaltered adoptive animals. The Auburn Valley Human Society is
temporarily authorized to offer unaltered animals for adoption during the time the
prohibitions in Governor's proclamations 20-25 and 20-25.1, as amended or extended,
are in effect.
Section 2. Suspension of ACC 6.01.110. This ordinance will not be codified
but will nonetheless temporarily supersede Auburn City Code section 6.01.110.
Section 3. Implementation. The Mayor is authorized to implement those
administrative procedures necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation.
Section 4. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are declared to be
separate and severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision,
section, or portion of this ordinance, or the invalidity of the application of it to any person
or circumstance, will not affect the validity of the remainder of this ordinance, or the validity
of its application to other persons or circumstances.
Ordinance No. 6773
DATE April 15, 2020
Page 2 of 3 Rev.2019
Section 5. Effective date. The City Council finds that an emergency exists
necessitating that this ordinance take effect immediately upon passage.
INTRODUCED: APR 2 0 2020
PASSED: APR 2 0 2020
APPROVED: APR 2 0 2020
rANCIn'I ?:'166"PICY B S, MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Shawn Campbell, MMC, City Clerk liedra Comeau, City Attorney
Published: Ok•Vr it 7 ism ‘w%t taA4t
Ordinance No. 6773
DATE April 15, 2020
Page 3 of 3 Rev.2019