4-208: SALE OR DESTRUCTION OF IMPOUNDED ANIMALS; ADOPTION PROHIBITIONS FOR UNSTERILIZED DOGS OR CATS 1 :

   A.   Any impounded animal not claimed by their owner before the expiration of seventy two (72) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and city holidays, shall become the property of the city and shall be disposed of at the discretion of the city.

   B.   Small unvaccinated animals, other than dogs or cats, shall be impounded when found running at large within the city limits and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of this part or other applicable law.

   C.   The animal control officer, upon receiving any animal for impoundment, shall record or cause to be recorded the description, breed, color and sex of the animal and whether or not it is licensed, and the date and time of impoundment. If the animal is licensed or the owner is known, the officer shall enter the name and address of the owner as may be shown on applicable city records. If the owner is known, the officer shall attempt to contact the owner to notify the owner that unless reclaimed within seventy two (72) hours, after impoundment, Saturdays, Sundays, and city holidays excluded, the animal will be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the city. (Ord. 1510, 8-8-2000)

   D.   At the end of the period prescribed in this part, animals that have not been reclaimed by the owner thereof shall be destroyed, sold, adopted, or otherwise disposed of in a humane manner and as required by law. Any animal who has displayed an aggressive disposition or behavior such as trying to bite or scratch, has been reported to have already bitten or scratched, is unhealthy or otherwise not eligible for adoption as determined by an animal control officer or the city's authorized agent shall be destroyed after the seventy two (72) hour period has expired. Any animal eligible for adoption may be adopted after the seventy two (72) hour period has expired but shall not be destroyed or otherwise disposed of until after one hundred twenty (120) hours after impoundment. (Ord. 1563, 3-25-2003)

   E.   No animal may be adopted from the animal shelter or its authorized agent by any employee of the shelter for any reason, nor may any employee of the shelter adopt, give away or sell any animal from the shelter except in accordance with the provisions of this part. (Ord. 1510, 8-8-2000)

   F.   A "no questions asked" period of seventy two (72) hours, from the date of the adoption, is established for the purpose of returning an adopted animal, for any reason, to the animal control division. The city or its authorized agents are not responsible for any prepayments or payments made for rabies vaccinations or sterilization of the animal. The adoption fee for the first animal shall be applied toward the adoption of the second animal with no additional adoption fees.

   G.   A grace period of seven (7) days, from the date of the adoption, is established during which period an animal adopted from the city's animal shelter or its authorized agents may be returned to the animal shelter or its authorized agent for a replacement animal, conditioned solely upon the presentation of written certification of a licensed veterinarian that the first adopted animal is in poor health. The city or its authorized agents are not responsible for any prepayments or payments made for rabies vaccinations or sterilization of the first animal. The adoption fee for the first animal shall be applied toward the adoption of the second animal with no additional adoption fees.

   H.   Upon presentation of reasonable proof that the adopted animal died before the expiration of the period during which the spaying or neutering was required to be completed, the adopting party or new owner can request a replacement animal. The city or its authorized agents are not responsible for any prepayments or payments made for rabies vaccinations of the first animal. The adoption fee for the first animal shall be applied toward the adoption of the second animal with no additional adoption fees.

   I.   Sales and/or adoption fees as established by council resolution shall be for cash, check or money order and shall be collected by, or under the direction of the department head as designated by the city manager. If an impounded animal cannot be sold or adopted, the animal shall be destroyed, in a humane manner, or otherwise disposed of in a legal manner. (Ord. 1563, 3-25-2003)

   J.   The purchaser or adopter of an animal as provided herein shall acquire absolute title to the animal purchased or adopted.

   K.   The Animal Control Officer shall pay to the appropriate person or office as designated by the City Manager all money received from the sale or adoption fees of impounded animals as soon as possible to the day in which it is received or on the next day upon which the Office of the City Treasurer is open for business. (Ord. 1510, 8-8-2000)

   L.   No dog or cat may be released for adoption from the City Animal Shelter or its authorized agent until the new owner has paid the required adoption fee and:

      1.   The animal has a current rabies vaccination and has been surgically sterilized; or

      2.   Has presented a prepayment receipt from a veterinarian to have the animal vaccinated for rabies and surgical sterilization; or

      3.   Has presented a prepayment receipt from a veterinarian to have the animal vaccinated for rabies and also has presented written documentation from the veterinarian that the animal is unable to reproduce due to age or illness.

Prepayments for rabies and sterilization for puppies and kittens are required even though a waiting period may be required before they are old enough to be vaccinated for rabies or sterilized. (Ord. 1563, 3-25-2003)

      4.   Any tax exempt non-profit agency whose primary purpose is to facilitate the adoption of animals to interested parties may take animals into their possession from the City Animal Shelter or its authorized representative without paying the required adoption fee described herein. (Ord. 1763, 1-24-2017)

   M.   The provisions of this part shall not be construed to require the sterilization of dogs or cats which are being held in the City Animal Shelter or its authorized agent which might be claimed by their rightful owners; nor shall it be construed to require sterilization of dogs and cats held pursuant to the provisions of 4 Oklahoma Statutes.

   N.   The City Animal Shelter or its authorized agent shall furnish conditional adoption agreements to be completed and signed by the owner or adopting party. (Ord. 1563, 3-25-2003)

 

Notes

1	1. 4 OS §§ 501 - 508.