A. Definitions: For the purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:
ADOPTOR OR ADOPTING PARTY: A person legally competent to enter into a contract acquiring a dog or cat from a releasing agency.
CHIP: A microchip containing a unique identifier inserted into an animal's withers.
CHIPPED: To have a chip inserted in the withers of an animal.
NEUTER: To render a male dog or cat unable to reproduce.
SHELTER: The Ponca City animal control center.
SPAY: To remove the ovaries of a female dog or cat in order to render said animal unable to reproduce.
STERILIZATION: To spay or neuter a dog or cat as appropriate for the sex of the animal.
TAGGED: To purchase a city animal license for a given animal.
VACCINATE/VACCINATION: To vaccinate against rabies, distemper and parvo.
B. Requirements Generally:
1. No dog or cat may be released for adoption from the shelter unless the adopting party pays the adoption fee established by the city commission; and signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized and vaccinated. The amount of the adoption fee shall be determined annually by the board of commissioners. In no event shall the required deposit be less for dogs or cats than in such amount as established by resolution of the board of commissioners.
2. Prior to releasing the animal for adoption and after the adoptor pays the adoption fee, city shelter employees shall issue a city animal tag license for and chip the subject animal.
3. The shelter is hereby authorized to reduce the adoption fee appropriately for any animal which, at the time of adoption, is known to be neutered or vaccinated.
C. Fee Uses: The above referenced fee shall be used to pay the billings of a licensed veterinarian performing the required vaccinations and sterilizations. Funds from the adoption fee shall be remitted to the veterinarian performing the required services upon receipt of the veterinarian's bill indicating that all of the required procedures have been performed. However, no payments shall be made unless said animal was sterilized and vaccinated within sixty (60) days of adoption in the case of adult animals; or, in the case of infant animals, within thirty (30) days of the date the animal attains the age of six (6) months unless otherwise recommended by a licensed veterinarian.
D. Extensions: Upon presentation of a written report from a licensed veterinarian stating that the life or health of an adopted animal may be jeopardized by surgery, the shelter shall grant a thirty (30) day extension of the period within which the required procedures would otherwise be required. Further extensions may be granted upon additional veterinary reports stating their necessity.
E. Exceptions To Sterilization Act: The adoption requirements above set forth shall not be construed to require the sterilization of dogs and cats which are being held in the shelter which might be claimed by their rightful owners; nor shall it be construed to require the sterilization of dogs and cats held pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma "use of unclaimed animals act", "dog and cat sterilization act" or the "disposal of sheltered animals act" 1 .
F. Penalty:
1. It shall be a violation of this code and a public offense for any adoptor to fail to abide by the terms and conditions of the adoption agreement.
2. It shall be a violation of this code and a public offense for any adoptor who signs the adoption agreement and posts a deposit for the required veterinarian services to not secure the required veterinary services for the adopted animal.
3. Violations of this section shall be punishable within the jurisdictional limits of this code. (Ord. 6146, 10-24-2011)
Notes
| 1 | 1. 4 OS §§ 391 – 402. |