A. General Conditions: Adoption of an animal from the animal services center shall be allowed upon agreement by the adopter to abide by conditions set out in this chapter and in the adoption agreement, upon payment of the required fees, and upon approval by the director of the animal services department. The director of the animal services department may deny a request for adoption of an animal if it is the director's opinion that the animal is a problem animal, or the adopter has a documented history of possessing problem animals, or the director has good cause to believe the adopter and the animal are an inappropriate match. In the event the adoption of an animal is denied by the director, the adopter may appeal the director's decision by filing a written petition with the city clerk within three (3) business days of the director's decision denying the adoption. The adopter's petition must request that the city council review the director's decision at the next regularly scheduled city council meeting for which agenda items are being accepted. The animal services department shall be required to maintain the animal which is the subject of the appeal until the city council has reached its decision on the appeal. Within one day of filing a petition to appeal, the adopter shall pay to the animal services department a deposit in an amount sufficient to cover impound fees, veterinary fees, and any other fees determined to be necessary for the proper care of the animal which is the subject of the appeal. The amount of the deposit shall be determined by the director of the animal services department. In the event the adopter's appeal is granted, the impound fees shall be refunded to the adopter. The city council's decision on the appeal shall be the final decision.
B. Alteration: Any dog or cat adopted from the center shall be altered (spayed or neutered) by a licensed veterinarian either prior to adoption, or within thirty (30) days of adoption, or as soon thereafter as the animal is old enough to be altered. If the animal is not already altered, the adopter shall agree to provide evidence of alteration to the animal services center within thirty (30) days. For animals too young to be altered within thirty (30) days of adoption, proof of alteration must be provided within thirty (30) days of the age they become eligible for alteration, which date will be designated on the adoption paperwork. Any person who has adopted a dog or cat from the center who fails, neglects, or refuses to so provide evidence of alteration may be charged with a misdemeanor violation.
C. Fees: The adoption fee, which shall include licensing fees, shall be set by annual resolution of the city council. (Ord. 2975, 2016: Ord. 2963, 2015: Ord. 2838 § 4, 2008: Ord. 2686 § 1, 2002)