7/20/2010 - Attention Plano Customers! (revisited)

We're sorry to say that Cathy's Critters has decided to halt doing any parties or festivals in the city limits of Plano until and unless the city reviews its permit and inspection requirements for petting zoos. We attempted to play by their rules (see previous posting), but they have tightened the screws and made it clear that businesses like ours are really not welcome there without additional expenses that make it uneconomical to participate.

At first, we had a gentleman's agreement that they would let us bend some of the rules for residential customers. For example, one of the requirements was than an extra perimeter fence *around* our petting zoo (consisting of 10-11 fence panels that cost us over $100 each to manufacture and get powder-coated) must be erected at every event. This is a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control to prevent some unsuspecting member of the public from coming into contact with an animal and contracting a dreaded disease like e-coli, and not being in a position to access hand-washing facilities, or not being properly warned about the risks by not entering in the designated entrance gate. They were reasonable enough at first to waive this requirement for our non-institutional customers (birthday parties at your home). However, when one of our customers requested that we set up in the *front* yard, the animal control officer actually submitted a written warning that this constituted a "public" event, since hapless neighbors might stroll by and pet a llama without being duly warned about the risks.

They essentially said that any further "negative incidents" would result in stricter enforcement of *all* the requirements of the ordinance.

So, if you want cute fluffy animals in your back yard, here's the lengths to which the city of Plano would really like to see you go:

* $25 permit fee

* Extra perimeter fence making our setup actually too big for many suburban back yards, and adding an additional $1000 worth of equipment we'd have to maintain for each crew, plus designing a way to carry it on our trailers

* Handwashing station at each event with RUNNING WATER and integrated wastewater collection. These rent for about $200 a day, but can be more if you need to arrange for weekend pickup or delivery (most birthday parties are on Saturdays and Sundays)

* Signage warning the customers of the dangers of animals to pregnant women, the elderly, the young, and people with compromised immune systems

* Inspection at your house by a uniformed officer from Plano's Animal Control department, who has the power to tell you if you have the right to continue with the birthday party in your own yard.

This ordinance was passed by the Plano city council, and is therefore, in theory, the will of the voters. If you are a voter in Plano, why not call them and let them know that you didn't elect them to meddle in their private affairs and protect them from negligibly small risks at the expense of making a simple activity too expensive to provide.

Cathy's Critters is liability insured and licensed by the USDA, which means we have annual inspections to check on the health of our animals, the safety of our housing and fencing, and our procedures for transporting and caring for the animals. We also have a program of veterinarian care approved by the federal government. This, however, is not enough for your city council. Remember, Plano Animal Control, under Jamey Cantrell, is the organization caught releasing wild animals into the woods behind a citizen's property. http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Plano-homeowners-blame-city-for-armadillo-problem-90420154.html

Who do you trust with your child's birthday entertainment? All we're guilty of is wishing to be left alone to serve our customers. Jamey Cantrell's Animal Control Department sums up their position quite succinctly in a slide show (available at their web site):

"REMEMBER Animal Control" is a misnomer...nearly all problems we deal with are caused by people"

Source: http://www.planotx.org/City_Hall/agendas/CouncilAgendas/Lists/POMItems/Attachments/58/Health.pdf

Are we to infer from this that this body is actually in the business of controlling its citizens? Seems like it.

1/4/2010 - Attention Plano Customers!

Because of a recent city ordinance passed in Plano, Cathy's Critters has had to make some difficult business decisions regarding serving our Plano customers. The ordinance requires a permit and inspection process for every event featuring live animals. The cost of the permit is $25 to the city, and a $25 processing charge that we collect for handling the paperwork and scheduling the inspection with the Animal Control department. This fee will be added to your total due if your party will be held in one of the following ZIP codes: 75023, 75024, 75025, 75026, 75074, 75075, 75086, 75093, 75094

If you believe that your party is at a location that is under the jurisdiction of the city of Plano, but is not of the ZIP codes listed, contact us for clarification and we'll check with the city for you.

The ordinance also requires hand-washing stations (not just sanitizer) with running water and a wastewater collection system. Since our residential customers can specify that guests wash their hands inside with soap and water before eating, this requirement only affects festivals and parties in public places where there is not ready access to soap and water. Therefore, there will be an additional fee of $200 to rent this equipment for all events at schools, churches, daycares, and public parks.

We regret this additional cost but strive to be a good "corporate citizen" and follow all the rules in the towns in which we operate.

These regulations do not affect our customers in any other city or town in DFW (yet!). Our farm is located in Collin county and we are going to be opening for business later in 2010 as a place to bring your party, so please watch this space for details and pricing regarding having your party on a working 18 acre farm with space for the kids to run, and for the adults to relax.

Thanks for your continued business and confidence in Cathy's Critters!



Call us now at 972-562-0583 - ask for Cathy, or email us here.