Any individual may adopt a dog or cat from the city animal shelter or any other animal which does not have rabies and is not under quarantine upon the following conditions;
(A) The animal has been classified as adoptable by the local rabies control authority;
(B) The prospective person seeking to adopt the animal has proper and adequate facilities to care for the animal;
(C) The prospective person seeking to adopt the animal prior to the animal being released for adoption causes all necessary vaccinations to be obtained;
(D) The prospective person seeking to adopt pays the adoption fee as set in the city's fee schedule, as amended. Upon payment of this adoption fee all impoundment fees owed to the city are waived. It is provided, however, animals less than four months of age shall not be vaccinated for rabies unless the vaccination is recommended by a licensed veterinarian until the animal attains the age of four months; and
(E) The local rabies control authority may refuse to allow any person to adopt an animal whenever he or she has good reason to believe:
(1) The person would not be able to obtain the proper certificate of vaccination under the provisions of this chapter;
(2) The person does not or would not have proper facilities that are adequate for the animal sought to be adopted in relation to the care of the particular animal;
(3) The person is seeking the animal for the purposes of resale or for purposes other than ownership thereof;
(4) The person would not be a responsible owner; or
(5) The particular animal would constitute a hazard to humans or other animals.
(Ord. 102-15, passed 12-16-14; Am. Ord. 101-16, passed 7-19-16; Am. Ord. 101-21, passed 3-16-21)
Cross-reference:
Fee schedule, see § 38.01