For two years, Various city officials would tell people that as long as no neighbors complained, there was no ordinance against it. Now in 2013, we are suddenly being told that there are such ordinances disallowing chickens and that after 2 years we must now find another place for them. Meaning we must get rid of our family pets that our children have raised from 2 years old and grown to love. We want the government to realize that our chickens are important not only to us but to many citizens of Terre Haute.Major cities across the United States are coming to realize that Chickens bring a greener initiative to their cities. Raising local chickens increase food awareness, reduce transportation cost, and supply the community with a level of sustainability. One example of this would be during emergency situations where government assistance can focus on other pressing issues as was the case in 2005 with the massive flooding that decimated so much farm land along the Wabash River and dislodged so many local citizens. Chickens aren't farm animals they are beautiful and entertaining pets that provide many benefits. Homegrown eggs are without hormones or chemicals, are higher in nutrients, lower in cholesterol, and taste 10 times better that store-bought. Chickens will eat anything that moves, meaning they eat ticks (that carry lyme disease), fleas, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, stink bugs, slugs, and even mice, baby rats, and small snakes. Chickens are fun, loving, and really should be considered domestic pets. The city of Terre Haute says (as quoted by city legal's email): "The City classifies chickens as "farm animals." While the Code does not provide a specific definition for farm animal, the City relies upon the following ordinances: Sec. 10-240 b.(3) provides that the appropriate zoning classification for "farm animals" is O-1 Agricultural. Your property is currently zoned R-3. The permitted uses for an R-3 are identified at Sec. 10-180 d. Sec. 6-69 n. provides the definition of a companion animal - these would be the types of animals allowed in a residential zoning classification. A chicken does not fall within the City's definition of a companion animal." While a classification may be considered it is not a written classification defining the nature of Farm animal. We seek to define this term and exclude chickens as they are an incredibly intelligent trainable companion pet that is much quitter then most dogs and even cats. The city allows feral cats and dogs to roam the streets and even has set aside a feral cat sanctuary where the poisonous feces is not controlled. Chickens however generally do not stray far from coops and runs, provide entertainment, recycling of scraps into a small protein source and alleviate land fill issues by creating manure for composting as well as their educational benefits are prohibited This needs to change if Terre Haute wishes to become a greener community and solidify itself as a level above.