Cabot needs to change ordinance

This is a petition in regards to the new ordinance No.14 amended on 10/19/2009 in regards to animals inside city limits of Cabot Arkansas. This new ordinance now states that you may not own any more than four animals inside city limits. This is cats or dog. Also all animals must have there rabies shot and be registered through the city animal control.
The reason I%u2019m starting this petition is there are several people inside city limits that did not know that you had to register them through animal control and also several people that have had more than four animals either before this new ordinance or before they where considered city limits. There was a statement in the newspaper from a city council member that did state as long as your animal was registered before this new ordinance they would be excluded but like I said earlier there is a lot of people that truly did not know their animals had to be registered through animal control. So what should happen to those people that did not know? Should they lose their pets?  I don%u2019t think so. I am one of those people that did not know you had to have your animals registered, and now must find homes for my loved pets many of them I have had for over five years. This was long before we became city limits. I love my animals and it hurts me to now have to give up my pets.
So, I am writing this not only in hopes of saving my own animals, but also to help others before they are in my situation. Most people that have pets love them like a member of their family and I want to help prevent anyone from losing their family member. I suggest that the ordinance No. 14 stay in place for people that move into Cabot city limits after this new ordinance or those who do not already have more than four animals. I feel an amendment needs to be made to the ordinance for people that did not know their animals needed to be registered, and they previously lived outside of city limits prior to being brought into city limits . A grandfather clause would accomplish this. An amendment needs to be in place for people that can prove that they have had their animals before they where made city limits. Thus, allowing ownership of more than four animals. They should have to show proof of owning their animals before becoming city limits by showing something from their veterinarian stating how long their animal has been in their care, and that they do have their rabies shot and are in good health.  Owners should have to have at least thirty days to get all their animals registered. Also there should be more allowances for  non profit rescues that have a 501(c)and animal control should not be allow to shut one down without first going to court and proving them unfit to be a rescue.  
I have been working with a rescue for the past three years. I got involved with them when my own personal pets where in danger.  Animal control agreed to let me work with the rescue and get some of my dogs adopted. Which I did. But working with the rescue I started to see how many animals where truelly out there that needed a second chance at a good home.  And that was when I started bringing more dogs in to help them. The dogs I brought in where given any medical attention they needed,shots and fixed and socialized in a loving enviroment.  Since starting with the rescue I have had over 150 dogs adopted into loving homes.  Many of the new owners still stay in touch with me to this day.  And now Animal control has taken my lisence saying I was over my limits but if you read the ordinance it states this      A)     For the purpose of this section, an animal shall be defined as a dog or a cat.
     (B)     It shall be unlawful for any person, household, or residence to own, keep or harbor more than four animals, which are over 16 weeks old, within the city limits, and the burden of proof shall be the owners to show the age of such animals.
     (C)     Any person(s), household(s), or residence(s) wishing to run an animal rescue group shall apply for a permit and provide the Animal Control Department with proof of their 501(c)(3) non-profit status and proof of all animals%u2019 current rabies vaccines. Providing this information will allow the group to house rescue animals and exempt them from city tags for the rescue animals. Each permit applicant shall submit to an inspection as needed. All personal pets shall be tagged in accordance with this chapter.
     (D)     This section shall not apply to animal hospitals or veterinarians when such animals are kept for normal business purposes.
     (E)     Any person(s), household(s), or residence(s) wishing to foster animals for the Cabot Animal Shelter shall apply for an animal foster home license and pass inspection of the residence prior to taking into care any animal(s). Upon approval, the animal foster home shall be allowed to house any number of foster animals up to 90 days as may be allowed by the Animal Control officer. No residential rental property shall be allowed an animal foster home license. Animal foster homes shall be exempt from city tags for foster animals. All personal pets shall be tagged in accordance with this chapter.
(Ord. 14, passed 10-19-09)
I never received any written papers stating how many dogs I could have.  But this is why I lost my lisences and now all my fosters now and in the future are in danger.  Helping animals is something I take great pride and joy in doing.  Please sign this and help me get this changed for myself and others that maybe out there trying to help our furry friends.