(A) The decision to place an animal for adoption is in the sole discretion of the Shelter Manager. No person seeking to adopt an animal shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, religion, or national origin. No person convicted of the offense of animal cruelty shall be permitted to adopt an animal from an animal shelter.
(B) An impounded domestic animal or fowl may be given without fee to a nonprofit animal shelter, pound, organization, or society for the protection of animals, for the purpose of domestic adoption, providing that all other sections of this chapter, or any other ordinances or applicable laws are met.
(C) Dogs or cats may not be released for adoption unless the animal has been vaccinated against rabies and sterilized or the new owner signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized, as follows:
(1) Animals must be vaccinated against rabies by an licensed veterinarian within seven days of adoption.
(2) Animals must be sterilized by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of adoption in the case of an adult animal, or within 30 days after the estimated date the animal will become eight months old in the case of an infant animal. The Shelter Manager may extend the deadline for sterilization by 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 on the number of extensions which may be granted.
(3) If a deadline specified in the adoption agreement falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline is extended to noon on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
(4) Except as hereafter provided, each new owner who signs an agreement must deliver to the Shelter Manager a letter signed by a licensed veterinarian that briefly describes the animal, states that the animal has been sterilized or vaccinated, as applicable, and provides the date on which the animal was sterilized or vaccinated. The letter must be delivered to the Shelter Manager in person or by mail within seven days of the date of the procedure described in the letter.
(a) If the adopted animal dies before being sterilized or vaccinated, then, in lieu of the confirmation letter described above, the new owner shall deliver to the Director of Animal Control a signed letter stating that the animal is dead and, if known, provide the date and circumstances of its death. The letter must be delivered in person or by mail within seven days of the animal’s death.
(b) If the adopted animal is lost or stolen before being sterilized or vaccinated, then, in lieu of the confirmation letter described above, the new owner shall deliver to the Shelter Manager a signed letter, stating the animal is lost or stolen and, if known, provide the date and circumstances of the animal’s disappearance. The letter must be delivered in person or by mail within seven days of the animal’s disappearance.
(5) If the Shelter Manager does not receive a letter meeting the requirements of § 90.62(C)(4) within the seventh day after the due date specified inthe adoption agreement, he shall cause a complaint to be filed against the new owner, and there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the owner’s failure to timely deliver the required letter is the result of the owner’s refusal to have the animal vaccinated or sterilized, as applicable.
(6) If the Shelter Manager does not receive a letter meeting the requirements of § 90.62(C)(4) within the seventh day after the due date specified in the adoption agreement, he may promptly reclaim the animal from the new owner. A person may not prevent, obstruct, or interfere with a reclamation under this subsection.
(D) A new owner who violates § 90.62(C) commits an offense.
(Ord. 92-08, passed 4-23-92; Am. Ord. 93-05, passed 4-8-93; Am. Ord. 99-11. passed 5-25-99; Am. Ord. 2008-10, passed 4-8-08; Am. Ord. 2011-30, passed 9-13-11; Am. Ord. 2014-30, passed 11-18-14; Am. Ord. 2019-36, passed 10-22-19)