San Marcos — The San Marcos City Council, using a fast-track option approved by voters in November, unanimously approved sweeping changes in San Marcos' animal control ordinances Tuesday night.

The measure passed on its second reading, as allowed by an amendment to the City Charter passed Nov. 4, rather than the three readings that were previously required.

To get the public up to speed on the big changes ahead, there will be public meetings to explain the new rules at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, and Monday, Jan. 26. A Saturday session was also discussed at Tuesday's meeting, but no time has yet been set.

At least one of those sessions will be videotaped so it can be used as a teaching tool, according to Mark Brinkley of the city's Environmental Health Department.

Under the ordinance, all San Marcos pets more than four months old will be required to be microchipped; and without a specific Multi-Pet Permit, households may have no more than four adult dogs "and no more than seven total animals" excluding fish or "birds other than fowl." Households also cannot have more than one litter of puppies or kittens.

Dangerous animals and public nuisances are defined with specific sanctions. Owners of animals in abuse or neglect situations or those who have repeatedly been caught running loose would be responsible for a number of fees and be required to undergo an owner education program.

Other provisions of the new rules call for trapping, altering, vaccinating and maintaining feral cat colonies and making it illegal to sell pets on public property, die baby ducks or chickens or sell or give away ducks, chickens or rabbits two weeks prior to Christmas and Easter.

Animal Services Director Bert Stratemann told the council that microchipping would be performed for $20 in most cases, with the fee structure set to help provide funds for low-income households that cannot afford even a reduced rate.

He said the benefits of microchipping include the quick return of lost pets. "We potentially can return that animal to you immediately in the field versus having to transport it back to the shelter," he said. "If we have a chip there's a 99 percent chance we're going to get (your pet) back to you."

Not included in the measures is a restriction that would have outlawed transporting animals in vehicles without being tethered. "That was such a hot button issue years ago that we wanted to avoid it," said veterinarian Dr. Jeff Jorgensen, who advised the council on the issue.

Jorgensen and Stratemann said while dogs do fall and jump out of pickup trucks, the rule was initially considered due to the risk to people who might walk by a vehicle with an overly-protective dog.

"This is an issue that's come up before," said council member John Thomaides. "It's a very emotional issue." Thomaides suggested the Animal Shelter Advisory Board continue to seek public input on the new regulations. "It's real easy to become emotional about it on both sides."