(a) If any dog or cat is not redeemed by its owner or harborer within the time allowed for redemption as specified in § 2-207 hereof, the animal control officer, any authorized law enforcement officer, any authorized veterinarian or any duly authorized pound personnel may destroy such dog or cat or may adopt out the same as set forth below.
(b) Any dog or cat not reclaimed by its owner within the time indicated becomes the property of the city and may be placed for adoption in a suitable home.
(c) No dog or cat may be transferred to the permanent custody of a prospective adoptive owner unless:
(1) Such dog or cat has been surgically spayed or neutered before the physical transfer of the animal occurs; or
(2) The prospective adoptive owner signs an animal sterilization and adoption agreement to have the dog or cat spayed or neutered and pays to the city a sterilization deposit of $50. The deposit shall be refunded to such person upon presentation of a written statement signed by a licensed veterinarian that the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered. If such person does not reclaim the deposit within six months after receiving custody of the animal, the city shall keep the deposit and may reclaim the unspayed or unneutered animal; and
(3) The prospective adoptive owner pays a boarding fee of $25 and all applicable license fees.
(d) The prospective adoptive owner shall, subject to the provisions of the animal sterilization and adoption agreement, be deemed a purchaser and shall receive a certificate of purchase from the City Clerk vesting ownership and terminating all interest and rights of the former owner.
(e) Nothing shall be construed to require sterilization of a dog or cat which is being held by the city and which may be claimed by its rightful owner within the established holding period.
(Prior Code, § 2-208) (Ord. 1293, passed 5-13-1996; Ord. 1407, passed 7-9-2007)