Any animal which appears to be lost, abandoned, at large or unwanted, or which is found to be not wearing a currently valid tag in violation of Section 4-8, shall be confined in the Animal Shelter in a humane manner for redemption by the Owner, sale, adoption, or destruction.
(1) Sale or destruction. If an impounded animal is not redeemed by the Owner within seventy-two (72) hours, the animal shall be deemed abandoned and disposed of in one of the following manners: adopted as a pet by a new owner; sold to entities or institutions within this state registered by the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to the Federal Animal Welfare Act, as amended; or put to death by a procedure approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society of the United States or the American Humane Association. The Animal Services Department shall maintain a record of all animals impounded under this section which shall include the date of impoundment; the duration of impoundment, the method of disposal of the animal and the name of the person, entity or institution to which any animal is released. Exceptions. Any animal impounded due to the owner of that animal being detained by law enforcement or due to a medical emergency must be redeemed by the owner, or person authorized by the owner, within one hundred and twenty (120) hours from the time of impoundment of that animal. At the end of the minimum time period indicated herein, unclaimed animals shall be deemed abandoned and the animal shall be disposed of in accordance with the Federal Animal Welfare Act G.S. 19A-31.1F. The Animal Services Department shall maintain a record of all animals impounded under this section which shall include the date of impoundment, the duration of impoundment, the method of disposal of the animal and the name of the person, entity or institution to which any animal is released.
(2) Notifying Owner. Immediately upon impounding an animal, the Animal Services Department shall make reasonable efforts to notify the Owner, and inform such Owner of the conditions whereby the animal may be redeemed.
(3) Spaying and neutering of dogs and cats. The Animal Services Department shall require that all adopted dogs and cats released from the Animal Shelter be spayed or neutered.
(4) Suspected rabies. Animals impounded which have been bitten by a rabid animal or appear to be suffering from rabies shall not be redeemed or sold, but shall be dealt with as provided in Section 4-7.
(5) Vicious, diseased or injured animals. If an animal is surrendered by the Owner to the Animal Services Department to be placed in a home or destroyed in a humane manner, it may be disposed of immediately following a seventy-two (72) hour holding period.
(6) Other diseased or injured animals. Any animal impounded which is badly injured or diseased (not a rabies suspect) and has no identification shall be euthanized immediately in a humane manner. If the animal has identification, the Animal Services Department shall attempt to notify the Owner before euthanizing the animal.
(Amend. of 3-1-2010; Amend. of 6-6-2016; Amend. of 5-1-2023)