(a) Any person who takes into the person’s possession any cat at large shall immediately notify the animal control contractor and shall release the cat to the animal control contractor upon request.
(b) In the case of any cat with identification that is released to the animal control contractor, the animal control contractor shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner by telephone, and shall send written notice to the owner. The cat must be held by the animal control contractor for not less than five days, after which time the animal control contractor may return the cat to the person who had released the cat to the animal control contractor, offer the cat for adoption, or euthanize the cat, if the cat has not been recovered by the owner before the five days have elapsed. An owner wishing to recover the cat shall pay a fee to implant a microchip, if needed, and a daily impoundment fee of $10 to the animal control contractor for each full day, or fraction thereof, that the cat is held by the animal control contractor.
(c) In the case of any cat without identification that is released to the animal control contractor, the animal control contractor shall hold the cat for not less than 48 hours, after which time the animal control contractor may return the cat to the person who had released the cat to the animal control contractor, offer the cat for adoption, or euthanize the cat, if the cat has not been recovered by a person claiming ownership before the 48 hours have elapsed. If a person claiming ownership seeks to recover the cat, the person shall pay a fee to implant a microchip, if needed, and a daily impoundment fee of $10 to the animal control contractor for each full day, or fraction thereof, that the cat is held by the animal control contractor.
(d) Any cat released to the animal control contractor with a notched ear, thereby indicating that the cat is a sterilized feral cat, must be held by the animal control contractor for not less than five days, after which time the animal control contractor may return the cat to the person who had released the cat to the animal control contractor, offer the cat for adoption, or euthanize the cat, if the cat has not been recovered by a person claiming ownership before the five days have elapsed. If a person claiming ownership seeks to recover the cat, the person shall pay a fee to implant a microchip, if needed, and a daily impoundment fee of $10 to the animal control contractor for each full day, or fraction thereof, that the cat is held by the animal control contractor.
(e) If a cat is redeemed by its owner within 24 hours of physical possession of the cat by the animal control contractor, the animal control contractor will waive any impoundment fees.
(f) If a cat released to the animal control contractor is not recovered by the owner, the person who had released the cat to the animal control contractor shall have the right of first refusal for permanent custody and ownership of the cat for a period of 24 hours after being contacted by the animal control contractor; provided that the person must pay to the animal control contractor:
(1) A fee to implant a microchip in the cat, if needed; and
(2) Any fees associated with the spaying or neutering of the cat, if needed.
(g) The animal control contractor shall spay or neuter any impounded cat before a cat is adopted, unless a licensed veterinarian certifies that the medical condition of the cat disqualifies the cat from being spayed or neutered, or that being spayed or neutered would otherwise be detrimental to the health of the cat.
(1990 Code, Ch. 7, Art. 6, § 7-6.5) (Added by Ord. 95-21; Am. Ords. 02-54, 07-33, 20-1)