(a) (1) The animal care and control center may not release a dog or cat for adoption unless the animal:
a. Has a microchip or other approved license;
b. Has been sterilized; and
c. Has received rabies vaccination according to § 6-41.
(2) Vaccination and sterilization are not required if the release is made to an owner who has signed an agreement to have the animal sterilized and vaccinated by a private veterinarian and who has paid the deposit, if required, in compliance with § 6-44(f)(4).
(b) (1) The animal care and control center may not release a dog or cat for reclamation unless the animal:
a. Has a microchip implanted or has an approved license in compliance with § 6-17;
b. Has been sterilized; and
c. Has received rabies vaccination according to § 6-41.
(2) Vaccination is not required if the release is made to an owner who provides proof that the animal is current on its vaccinations or has signed an agreement to have the animal vaccinated by a private veterinarian and has paid the deposit, if required in compliance with § 6-44(f)(4).
(3) Sterilization is not required if the release is made to an owner who has signed an agreement to have the animal sterilized by a private veterinarian and has paid the deposit, if required by § 6-44(f)(4), or to an owner who provides proof that:
a. The animal has been previously sterilized;
b. A veterinarian has issued a signed, written opinion that sterilization would jeopardize the animal's health; or
c. The animal is the subject of a valid intact pet permit and has not been previously impounded in the city.
(4) Sterilization is not required if the release is made to an owner who applies for an intact pet permit at the time of the release and who has paid a non-refundable after-the-fact application fee in the amount of $500. The after-the-fact application fee may not be waived or reduced by participation in the animal care and control authority's responsible pet ownership class.
(c) The sterilization and vaccination agreement must contain:
(1) A sterilization completion date, which is:
a. The 30th day after the date of adoption or reclamation in the case of an adult animal; or
b. The 30th day after a specific date estimated to be the date an infant animal becomes six months old; and
(2) A statement, printed in conspicuous, bold print, that sterilization and vaccination of the animal are required, and that if the animal is not sterilized on or before the appropriate date or is not vaccinated within a reasonable time, the owner commits a criminal offense punishable as a Class C misdemeanor and forfeits any deposit paid under § 6-44(f)(4).
(d) Except as provided by this subsection (d), an owner who signs a sterilization and vaccination agreement under this section shall have the animal sterilized on or before the sterilization completion date stated in the agreement. If the sterilization completion date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the deadline is extended to the first day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. The animal care and control center may extend the deadline for 30 days on presentation of a written report from a licensed veterinarian stating that the life or health of the animal may be jeopardized by surgery. There is no limit of the number of extensions that may be granted for this reason.
(e) When adopting or reclaiming an animal from the city's animal care and control center, an owner must sign an adoption or reclamation agreement and must present government-issued photo identification to the city so that the city can make a copy of it.
(f) It shall be unlawful for a person who adopted or reclaimed a dog or cat from the animal care and control center and executed a sterilization or vaccination agreement for the subject animal:
(1) To fail or refuse to have the subject animal vaccinated within a reasonable time; or
(2) To fail or refuse to have the subject animal sterilized by the date specified in the agreement or in subsequent extension of the deadline as may be granted by the animal care and control center pursuant to subsection (d) above.
(Ord. 23295-06-2018, § 1, passed 6-26-2018, eff. 7-6-2018)