Fostering pets in St. Peters would be easier under a proposal toamend an ordinance that limits how many animals can be in onehousehold at a time.
The current ordinance allows three cats or dogs per residence,with no exemption for kittens or puppies. Fostering pets in St.Peters is legal, but homeowners who add foster pets still must meetthe pet limit.
A proposed ordinance would allow residents to have three cats ordogs and at least two foster pets. the foster pets would have tocome from a shelter registered with the Missouri Department ofAgriculture.
“We’re not trying to advocate having a lot more animals inhomes, but we wanted to do something for the people that fosteranimals,” Alderwoman Judy Bateman, Ward 2, said during the Board ofAldermen’s work session Thursday night.
The board voted to put the proposal on the agenda for its Sept.8 meeting.
Alderman Patrick Barclay, Ward 4, said the key to a newordinance is that rescue shelters would conduct background checksof residents who want foster pets.
“They’re not going to give (foster pets) to just anyone,”Barclay said.
Residents who have pets that have litters of kittens or puppieswould have more flexibility, too. Kittens or puppies birthed fromthe same mother in a home would be exempt from the pet limitcalculation up to 4 months old. Only one pet litter at a time wouldbe exempt.
City spokesman Dave Kuppler said five animals in a home wouldnot affect the quality of life in a subdivision and that the citystill has ordinances regulating barking dogs and failure torestrain pets.
“This protects the integrity of our pet limit and allowsresidents to do what is a noble thing, which is fostering,” Kupplersaid.
Regulation of group homes
During Thursday’s work session, the board also discussed whetherto modify an ordinance related to the city’s rental inspectionprogram. the discussion focused on whether the city’s regulation ofthe density of group homes is adequate.
City Administrator Bill Charnisky said the city’s requirementthat group homes not be closer than 2,500 feet apart is comparableto that of other cities, such as Rock Hill and Manchester, and isas restrictive as it can be. Charnisky said a new ordinance wouldchange the definition from rental units to non-owner-occupiedunits. It would encompass more single-family homes but wouldrequire an inspection of any home not lived in by the owner of theproperty.
“Group homes cannot be treated any differently thansingle-family homes,” Charnisky told the board. “We have to be verycareful not to discriminate against people because of a disability,with the only exception being density.”
The city’s legal counsel, Randy Weber, agreed withCharnisky.
“This is not about group homes,” Weber said. “So to say this issomehow related to them is not true. It is about owner-occupancy.all of us would acknowledge that people take care of things betterwhen they own them.”
Charnisky said that taking another look at the city’s rentalinspection program is not akin to registering group homes. He saidthe board should consider re-inspecting any home not occupied bythe owner every three to five years.
“What I’m suggesting is that we do an inspection program for allnon-homeowner-occupied homes; that includes group homes, nursinghomes, day-care centers — anything not lived in by the owner,”Charnisky said. “Through the inspection program, the city wouldknow what kind of business is there.”
The board agreed to close the subject for now and discuss it ata later date.
