(a) Retention period. All animals impounded for the first time shall be kept for not more than 24 hours (first offense); animals picked up in each succeeding offense will be taken directly to the city’s designated veterinarian except:
(1) When given to be disposed of by the owner, keeper or harborer in which case the animal shall be held until the next calendar day before disposition.
(2) When an animal is picked up that is so sick or injured condition that in the judgement of the permit authority or a licensed veterinarian human compassion requires that the suffering be promptly ended; in such instance said time period shall not apply and the animal will be humanely killed to prevent needless suffering. All fees associated with the disposition of the animal shall be assessed to the animal’s owner.
(b) Humane disposition. Whenever any animal shall remain in the place of impoundment for a period longer than three days from the impounding of such animal except those animals impounded for disease control observation, in which case said period shall begin upon the expiration of the applicable observation period the animal shall be disposed of in a humane manner by the designated veterinarian or the animal may be adopted out by the designated veterinarian. All fees associated with the disposition of the animal shall be assessed to the animal’s owner.
(c) Conflict of interest. The permit authority nor the designee shall dispose of any captured or impounded animal except through the procedures provided for by this article.
(d) Adoption. All adoptions are done through the permit authority’s designated veterinarian.
(e) Impoundment fees and owner identification.
(1) A $25 fee shall be charged when any dog or cat is picked up by the permit authority and taken to the city’s designated place of impoundment. The fee for the care of any dog or cat during the period of impoundment shall be at the rate of $20 (actual rates will apply) for each day or portion of a day that said dog or cat is impounded; provided, however, that such fee shall be increased by the actual amount of any unusual expenses incurred either in the impoundment or the care of said animal. An owner or keeper must pay these fees in full to obtain custody of his or her animal, but such payment is not required for animal adoption by a person from another household.
(2) Before animals are redeemed from the pound, said animal shall be spayed or neutered, be currently vaccinated and be micro-chipped. This shall be at the pet owner’s expense, prior to the animal’s release. All fees must be paid to the City Clerk prior to picking up the animal(s).