(a) To redeem an impounded animal from a city animal shelter, the owner of the animal must provide proof of ownership and pay to the director the following fees for services rendered before redemption:
(1) on all animals held at least one full day a redemption fee of:
(A) $25 for an animal delivered for impoundment to a city animal shelter by a person other than a city employee in the performance of official duties; or
(B) $25 for an animal delivered for impoundment to a city animal shelter by a city employee in the performance of official duties;
(2) on all animals held at least one full day, $10 for each night the animal is housed in a city shelter;
(3) $10 for a rabies vaccination of a dog, cat, or ferret if the owner cannot show either:
(A) a current certificate of vaccination for the animal; or
(B) a letter from a licensed veterinarian on office stationery dated prior to impoundment stating that the animal was not vaccinated due to health reasons;
(4) $10 for a microchip implant and initial national registration of a dog or cat unless:
(A) the animal was injected with a microchip implant prior to impoundment;
(B) a letter from a licensed veterinarian on office stationery dated prior to impoundment stating the animal should not be injected with a microchip implant for health reasons; and
(5) $40 for sterilization of an animal, unless:
(A) the animal was spayed or neutered prior to impoundment;
(B) the animal is under six months of age;
(C) the owner provides a letter from a licensed veterinarian on office stationery dated prior to impoundment certifying that the animal should not be spayed or neutered for health reasons or is permanently non-fertile as confirmed by a health examination within 90 days prior to impoundment.
(b) The redemption period for an animal impounded in a city animal shelter, other than for quarantine or pursuant to a court order, is:
(1) three days after the date of impoundment, unless Paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection applies to the animal;
(2) five days after the date of impoundment if:
(A) the animal is wearing a legible tag or has a microchip implant identifying its owner with contact information; or
(B) the director has reason to believe the animal has an owner; or
(3) 10 days after the date of impoundment if the animal is being held for protective custody.
(c) The redemption period for an animal impounded pursuant to a court order is the time set forth in the court order or, if no provision is made in the court order, five days after the court proceedings are final.
(d) Except as provided in Section 7-5.3(c), the redemption period for an animal, with an identified owner, impounded for quarantine is the same day as completion of the quarantine period.
(e) Kitten litters, puppy litters, and mothers nursing litters impounded in the city's animal shelter cannot be redeemed and immediately become the sole property of the city and are subject to disposition as the director deems appropriate.
(f) If an animal is not redeemed within the appropriate time period specified in Subsections (b) through (d), the animal will become the property of the city and may be placed for adoption, euthanized, or otherwise disposed of as recommended by the director.