A. Facility: The facility owned by the city of Deming for impounding dogs, cats, and potbellied pigs shall be kept open to the general public forty (40) hours per week as posted at the shelter. The shelter is open to the public from nine o'clock (9:00) A.M. to five o'clock (5:00) P.M. except on Tuesday mornings, Saturday afternoons and Sundays. The shelter is required to accept all animals brought to the shelter by individuals or animal control. It is the only facility for quarantine in Luna County. The shelter shall:
1. Be maintained according to standards set by the American Humane Society for cleanliness and safety;
2. Provide food, water and care for the animals;
3. Make every effort to find the owner of any animal in protection.
B. Competent Personnel: To staff the shelter and assure the employees are properly trained the board of Deming-Luna County Humane Society employs a manager who interviews and hires additional personnel and schedules their hours to cover seven (7) days a week. Employees are cross trained in all phases of the operation and given opportunity for continuing education training at seminars, etc., available.
C. Agreement: The Deming-Luna County Humane Society, under annually negotiated agreements with the county of Luna and the city of Deming, manages both the city shelter for dogs, cats, and potbellied pigs and animal control. The not for profit organization uses the shelter office as their headquarters to dispense educational information on the need for spay/neuter, the proper care needed for animals, etc. In addition, at their expense, the society is allowed:
1. To keep adoptable animals longer than mandated minimums;
a. Generally: Any person who desires to adopt an dog or cat may file an application for pet ownership. Animals will be available as soon as the required confinement period ends. Prospective adopters must have proper facilities to care for the animal.
b. Adoption Fee: The adoption fee will include payment for the antirabies vaccine which will be remitted to the veterinarian who redeems the certificate.
2. To require that all animals adopted at the shelter be spayed or neutered;
a. The adoption fee includes a deposit toward spay and neuter which will be remitted to the veterinarian who affirms the surgery has been done.
b. If verification of the spay/neuter operation has not been received within sixty (60) days the animal may be repossessed by the society.
3. To operate a pet cemetery for public use. The cemetery is platted and records are kept of all lots. Spaces may be purchased in advance of need. Burial plot purchase includes a small name marker;
4. To accept donations of all kinds to offset the expenses above the stipends received for services from the city and county.
D. Records: Shelter management shall maintain, for a reasonable period of time or as required by statute, a record of all animals impounded. At least the following information shall be included:
1. A complete description of the animal;
2. The manner and date of its acquisition;
3. The date, manner, and place of impoundment;
4. The impoundment number;
5. The date and manner of disposition of said animal.
E. Disposition Of Animals: An animal not adopted or reclaimed at the end of the protective custody period may be transferred to another facility able to offer extended care, or humanely euthanized.
1. Euthanasia: The only methods of euthanasia used shall be those certified by the Humane Society of the United States as painless, rapid, and, to the fullest extent possible minimizing fear and trauma in the animal;
2. Disposal: The city will provide space for all dead animals from the shelter and those brought in by animal control.
F. Fees, Licenses And Permits: All fees, licenses, permits and deposits shall be made at the animal shelter.
G. Fines: Fines assessed will be processed through the municipal court.
H. Daily Handling Fee: The owner of an animal confined at the shelter shall be charged a handling fee for each day or fraction of a day the animal is confined. (See current animal shelter fee schedule.)
I. Quarantine Costs: The owner of a dog, cat, or potbellied pig impounded on order of an animal control officer for ten (10) day quarantine at the shelter shall be liable for double the regular impoundment fee, the daily handling fee for each day or fraction of a day the animal is confined; and any veterinary expenses necessary for the animal whether or not the owner chooses to reclaim the animal. The owner must sign a letter releasing the animal to the shelter if it is not to be reclaimed. Daily handling rates will be charged for any days the animal remains after release from quarantine. Animal control may issue a citation for failure to comply. (See current animal shelter fee schedule.)
J. Guard Dogs: All sites where guard dogs are used must have an inspection permit allowing periodical inspections by shelter or animal control personnel to assure that the facilities meet specifications and that animals are properly housed, supplied with ample shelter, food, and water, and show no signs of cruelty or abuse. The annual fee is payable at the shelter. (See current animal shelter fee schedule.) Special housing requirements are:
1. In addition to the standard facilities and care requirements for permitted premises set forth elsewhere in this chapter, the area where the guard dog is housed while not on duty shall be secured in a manner which will prevent the escape of the animal. The off duty housing area shall be kept locked when not in use.
2. When a dog is on duty outside a building, the premises must be enclosed by a secure fence adequate to enclose the dog and to which anti-escape devices have been added.
3. The doors, windows and all other openings to the outside of a building where a guard dog is on duty must be secured to prevent its escape.
4. Guard dog premises shall be posted with warning signs.
5. Vehicles used to transport a guard dog(s) and vehicles being protected by a guard dog(s) shall be secured so the public is protected from injury, and shall be constructed or modified to ensure that the guard dog is transported in a safe, humane manner. (Ord. 1067, 9-9-2002)