I'm sorry for the long post. This is my first time I've posted anywhere & I had trouble condensing it.
First, to give you a short background: Our condominium complex in California is in transition. A developer bought & upgraded the majority of units. Most of them are sold & new owners are still moving in. During this time, our property management company took a back seat.
The problem: We developed a feral cat colony after a few renters moved out and abandoned their unneutered cats. Our property management company said there was nothing they could do, the developer ignored the problem, and animal control will not come out to pick them up. Some of us that have been here a few years (including myself) want the cats to stay. At one time, our complex was actually rat infested & the problem has disappeared since we have had cats.
In early January, the few homeowners that were living in our complex met and agreed to a trap, neuter, and return program based on the suggestions from organizations experts that deal with this problem. The program’s success for control & reduction of the colony has been proven by several studies. I posted several notices with explanations, always with a contact number. I gave ample notice for a second meeting with a speaker; only 4 people showed up. The plan was to get the cats neutered, vaccinated & move their shelters, food outside away from our cars, living spaces, etc.
The program was starting to work, the cats were staying away from the people & the cars, until one couple (who attended the meeting) started giving me a hard time to the point of harassment. I can go on about everything they have done but I think it is suffice to say they try to sabotage everything and are managing to incite anger with a lot of the new residents. They have posted notes calling on all homeowners to “hold me accountable, & bring receipts for their cars to our first homeowner’s meeting because cats will be a “high priority”.
The homeowner meeting is in a week & a half. I have asked an officer from animal control and an expert to come speak. My question is this: Do I have a right to have speakers at the meeting on my behalf? I feel as if I’m going to encounter an angry mob. I’m not sure if the property management company will support the extra time.
Thank you for your help,
r14fun
First, to give you a short background: Our condominium complex in California is in transition. A developer bought & upgraded the majority of units. Most of them are sold & new owners are still moving in. During this time, our property management company took a back seat.
The problem: We developed a feral cat colony after a few renters moved out and abandoned their unneutered cats. Our property management company said there was nothing they could do, the developer ignored the problem, and animal control will not come out to pick them up. Some of us that have been here a few years (including myself) want the cats to stay. At one time, our complex was actually rat infested & the problem has disappeared since we have had cats.
In early January, the few homeowners that were living in our complex met and agreed to a trap, neuter, and return program based on the suggestions from organizations experts that deal with this problem. The program’s success for control & reduction of the colony has been proven by several studies. I posted several notices with explanations, always with a contact number. I gave ample notice for a second meeting with a speaker; only 4 people showed up. The plan was to get the cats neutered, vaccinated & move their shelters, food outside away from our cars, living spaces, etc.
The program was starting to work, the cats were staying away from the people & the cars, until one couple (who attended the meeting) started giving me a hard time to the point of harassment. I can go on about everything they have done but I think it is suffice to say they try to sabotage everything and are managing to incite anger with a lot of the new residents. They have posted notes calling on all homeowners to “hold me accountable, & bring receipts for their cars to our first homeowner’s meeting because cats will be a “high priority”.
The homeowner meeting is in a week & a half. I have asked an officer from animal control and an expert to come speak. My question is this: Do I have a right to have speakers at the meeting on my behalf? I feel as if I’m going to encounter an angry mob. I’m not sure if the property management company will support the extra time.
Thank you for your help,
r14fun