(A) If the owner of any animal impounded pursuant to this subchapter shall appear and claim the animal within 72 hours, excluding Saturday, Sunday and holidays, the animal control officer shall, if satisfied that such person is the true owner, relinquish the animal to that person upon payment of fees for impoundment. The owner or harborer of such animal must provide proof that the animal has been vaccinated within the subsequent 12 months. If proof cannot be shown that animal has been vaccinated within the subsequent 12 months, the owner or harborer shall pay to the city an amount equal to the cost of the vaccination of animal and shall receive a receipt which shall be presented to a licensed veterinarian in Mount Pleasant, who shall vaccinate the animal and then bill the city for vaccination.
(B) If any animal is not redeemed within 72 hours, excluding Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, and after reasonable effort has been made to locate the owner or harborer, it shall be considered abandoned and becomes the sole property of the City of Mount Pleasant, regardless of where the animal was found or who delivered the animal to the city. The animal may be subject to adoption after payment by the prospective owner of all applicable vaccination, sterilization, and/or impoundment fees. Adopted animals are not guaranteed as to health, temperament or longevity and no refund of fees shall be allowed.
(C) A microchip implant in the animal is required before release. If the animal is not already identifiable by microchip, the owner shall pay a fee to have the microchip implanted in the animal prior to release.
(D) (1) Following adoption of an animal, the owner shall submit proof of having had the animal sterilized. Any animals adopted from the shelter are required to be sterilized within 30 days of their release. The proof shall be a completed sterilization certification form provided by Animal Services and signed by the sterilizing veterinarian.
(2) Division (D)(1) above shall not apply if the owner provides proof that the animal meets the following conditions at the time of impoundment:
(a) Either the animal is registered with a national registry and is a certified member of a local breed, sporting or hunting club; or
(b) The animal was a professionally trained assistance or police service animal; or
(c) The animal was at-large due to forces of nature, fire, or the criminal act of a third party who was not residing at the animal owner's residence and there is documented proof from a city or county official stating the fact.
(Ord. 2002-1, passed 2-19-02; Am. Ord. 2004-17, passed 10-5-04; Am. Ord. 2008-3, passed 2-5-08; Am. Ord. 2017-1, passed 1-17-17; Am. Ord. 2017-21, passed 12-19-17; Am. Ord. 2024-5, passed 2-20-24)