Jerry Pikulinski - Mayoral Candidate

Arlington is a city of pet lovers, as can be seen on any city street, park, or neighborhood on a daily basis. Arlington citizens care about animals in their city so we are compiling information about our candidates for the animal loving citizens to make informed decisions during this election.

1. Currently, the city ordinance does not allow for outdoor/free roaming cats. The proper management of community cats in Arlington through rescue groups such as FAAS and others who are willing to assist, would decrease costs to the city and keep these cats out of the shelter. Trap-Neuter-Return is a proven method of sterilizing community cats with caretakers, that eventually reduces and stabilizes populations. Would you support changing the current ordinance to allow for cats to live outdoors and programs to reduce the number of feral cats?

My view is that the City’s responsibilities regarding pets are defined by public health and safety needs. The city should cooperate with volunteer groups that raise funds and provide additional services. Public facilities can be made available to volunteer groups to assist them in meeting their objectives, including animal sterilizations at their expense. I favor any action that reduces the number of feral cats. I do not support the concept of encouraging stray animals even if sterilized because of the city’s public health and safety responsibilities

2. To increase adoptions, the shelter needs to have a visible presence in the community. As a city leader, would you encourage increased mobile adoptions and community involvement with our shelter?

A city program of adoptions supported by volunteer groups is the most humane way to manage the stray animal population. I would support events and promotions that bring the public to city and private shelters to increase adoptions.

3. How important do you think animals and their care and safety are to the citizens of Arlington?

Household pets are important members of most owning families. The ordinance provides basic provisions for their care and safety. In the past, the community has been supportive of providing animal shelter expansions and improvements. As in every city program, there is competition for limited funds.

4. Would you support shelter programs and efforts by staff to increase the Live Release Rate (the percentage of animals that leave the shelter alive) to over 90%? The rate for March 2013 was 70% thanks to adoption increases.

It is all a matter of the availability of funds and cost-benefit analysis. Within the preceding constraints, it is highly desirable to achieve higher Live Release Rates to the maximum extent possible.

Kathryn Wilemon - City Council Incumbent District 4

Arlington is a city of pet lovers, as can be seen on any city street, park, or neighborhood on a daily basis. Arlington citizens care about animals in their city so we are compiling information about our candidates for the animal loving citizens to make informed decisions during this election.

1. Currently, the city ordinance does not allow for outdoor/free roaming cats. The proper management of community cats in Arlington through rescue groups such as FAAS and others who are willing to assist, would decrease costs to the city and keep these cats out of the shelter. Trap-Neuter-Return is a proven method of sterilizing community cats with caretakers, that eventually reduces and stabilizes populations. Would you support changing the current ordinance to allow for cats to live outdoors and programs to reduce the number of feral cats?

Yes.

2. To increase adoptions, the shelter needs to have a visible presence in the community. As a city leader, would you encourage increased mobile adoptions and community involvement with our shelter?

Increased awareness and encouraging adoptions is important to the community.

3. How important do you think animals and their care and safety are to the citizens of Arlington?

Pets enrich the lives of our citizens and are an important part of our community.

4. Would you support shelter programs and efforts by staff to increase the Live Release Rate (the percentage of animals that leave the shelter alive) to over 90% ? The rate for March 2013 was 70% thanks to adoption increases.

I support increasing the Live Release Rate at Arlington Animal Shelter.

Lana Wolff - City Council Incumbent District 5

Arlington is a city of pet lovers, as can be seen on any city street, park, or neighborhood on a daily basis. Arlington citizens care about animals in their city so we are compiling information about our candidates for the animal loving citizens to make informed decisions during this election.

1. Currently, the city ordinance does not allow for outdoor/free roaming cats. The proper management of community cats in Arlington through rescue groups such as FAAS and others who are willing to assist, would decrease costs to the city and keep these cats out of the shelter. Trap-Neuter-Return is a proven method of sterilizing community cats with caretakers, that eventually reduces and stabilizes populations. Would you support changing the current ordinance to allow for cats to live outdoors and programs to reduce the number of feral cats?

Yes, I will consider TNR for Arlington. I would need information and opportunity to discuss specifics such as ‘budget impact’.

2. To increase adoptions, the shelter needs to have a visible presence in the community. As a city leader, would you encourage increased mobile adoptions and community involvement with our shelter?

Absolutely.

3. How important do you think animals and their care and safety are to the citizens of Arlington?

Major importance. Concern relative to stray animals ranks very high in citizen surveys.

4. Would you support shelter programs and efforts by staff to increase the Live Release Rate (the percentage of animals that leave the shelter alive) to over 90% ? The rate for March 2013 was 70% thanks to adoption increases.

I welcome the opportunity to view and discuss successful programs in other communities.

Richard Weber - City Council Candidate District 8

Arlington is a city of pet lovers, as can be seen on any city street, park, or neighborhood on a daily basis. Arlington citizens care about animals in their city so we are compiling information about our candidates for the animal loving citizens to make informed decisions during this election.

1. Currently, the city ordinance does not allow for outdoor/free roaming cats. The proper management of community cats in Arlington through rescue groups such as FAAS and others who are willing to assist, would decrease costs to the city and keep these cats out of the shelter. Trap-Neuter-Return is a proven method of sterilizing community cats with caretakers, that eventually reduces and stabilizes populations. Would you support changing the current ordinance to allow for cats to live outdoors and programs to reduce the number of feral cats?

I would consider supporting the change after more discussion and evaluation, including any opposition reasons.

2. To increase adoptions, the shelter needs to have a visible presence in the community. As a city leader, would you encourage increased mobile adoptions and community involvement with our shelter?

I am not opposed to more community exposure; however, and you may disagree [isn’t free speech wonderful], there are many city issues that have a higher priority.

3. How important do you think animals and their care and safety are to the citizens of Arlington?

I think citizens tend to have a lot higher concern regarding their own pet(s) vs. animal care in general. Your (Ms. Eaves) appearance before council is the only one I recall in quite awhile. Meanwhile, discussions of dog parks tend to generate considerably more participants

4. Would you support shelter programs and efforts by staff to increase the Live Release Rate (the percentage of animals that leave the shelter alive) to over 90%? The rate for March 2013 was 70% thanks to adoption increases.

Any program would need to be discussed, pros and cons, before I would be able to make a decision.

Joe Mchaney - City Council Candidate District 8

Arlington is a city of pet lovers, as can be seen on any city street, park, or neighborhood on a daily basis. Arlington citizens care about animals in their city so we are compiling information about our candidates for the animal loving citizens to make informed decisions during this election.

1. Currently, the city ordinance does not allow for outdoor/free roaming cats. The proper management of community cats in Arlington through rescue groups such as FAAS and others who are willing to assist, would decrease costs to the city and keep these cats out of the shelter. Trap-Neuter-Return is a proven method of sterilizing community cats with caretakers, that eventually reduces and stabilizes populations. Would you support changing the current ordinance to allow for cats to live outdoors and programs to reduce the number of feral cats?

YES I BELIEVE THAT 1.) CATS LOVE TO BE OUTDOORS AND I SEE NO DOWNSIDE TO TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN.2.) YES

2. To increase adoptions, the shelter needs to have a visible presence in the community. As a city leader, would you encourage increased mobile adoptions and community involvement with our shelter?

YES WE NEED TO MAKE THE PROGRAM MORE VISIBLE TO ARLINGTON RESIDENTS .

3. How important do you think animals and their care and safety are to the citizens of Arlington?

THEY ARE FAMILY AND WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM AS SUCH. THAT SAID ONE WHO OWNS ANIMALS HAS A RESPONSIBILITY ALSO FOR THEIR CARE AND SAFETY AS WELL.NOT JUST A CITY PROBLEM. THE CITY IS THERE TO HELP.

4. Would you support shelter programs and efforts by staff to increase the Live Release Rate (the percentage of animals that leave the shelter alive) to over 90% ? The rate for March 2013 was 70% thanks to adoption increases.

YES. I’M PRO LIFE..

Michael Glaspie - City Council Incumbent District 8

Arlington is a city of pet lovers, as can be seen on any city street, park, or neighborhood on a daily basis. Arlington citizens care about animals in their city so we are compiling information about our candidates for the animal loving citizens to make informed decisions during this election.

1. Currently, the city ordinance does not allow for outdoor/free roaming cats. The proper management of community cats in Arlington through rescue groups such as FAAS and others who are willing to assist, would decrease costs to the city and keep these cats out of the shelter. Trap-Neuter-Return is a proven method of sterilizing community cats with caretakers, that eventually reduces and stabilizes populations. Would you support changing the current ordinance to allow for cats to live outdoors and programs to reduce the number of feral cats?

I am open to managing feral cat population with programs such as Trap-Neuter-Return. Our objective should be to manage the feral cat population in the most humane, cost-effective manner possible.

2. To increase adoptions, the shelter needs to have a visible presence in the community. As a city leader, would you encourage increased mobile adoptions and community involvement with our shelter?

It makes sense for us to match pets with those who would like to adopt pets. Mobile adoptions and increased community engagement should aid visibility of pets that are available for adoption. I would encourage such an approach.

3. How important do you think animals and their care and safety are to the citizens of Arlington?

There are many citizens who are very concerned about the safety and care of pets in our City. Accordingly, it is important to provide services that help citizens take care of their pets.

4. Would you support shelter programs and efforts by staff to increase the Live Release Rate (the percentage of animals that leave the shelter alive) to over 90% ? The rate for March 2013 was 70% thanks to adoption increases.

I would support increasing the Live Release Rate, however, whatever strategies that are used should be cost effective.