(A) This section applies when an impounded animal is permitted by the Animal Control Officer to be reclaimed and redeemed.
(B) If the Animal Control Officer or other county employee was involved in picking up or capturing the animal, the owner shall pay a redemption fee of $25. This fee is in addition to the owner's liability for other costs which may be associated with the impoundment.
(C) The animal shelter may, in addition, impose a sheltering fee for animals impounded under this section not greater than the prevailing fees charged by boarding kennels in the county for each day or part thereof the animal is impounded. The shelter may also charge an impoundment fee to defray costs of handling and record keeping.
(D) The shelter may, at its discretion, decline to release an animal until the shelter receives sufficient proof or assurances that the animal has been or will be inoculated as required by law.
(E) The shelter may, at its discretion, decline to release an animal until the shelter receives sufficient proof or assurances that the animal has received or will receive a microchip implant that contains ownership information for the animal. Alternately, the shelter may provide the animal with a microchip implant with ownership information on its own and charge the owner a reasonable fee for the service. However, the shelter may not exercise its discretion under this division if a veterinarian provides a written statement indicating that the animal should not be microchipped due to health reasons.
(F) An owner must redeem and reclaim or relinquish ownership of an animal within three days of receiving notice of impoundment. If the owner fails to redeem and reclaim the animal within three days of receiving notice of impoundment, in addition to the penalties imposed under § 90.12, the owner is deemed to have relinquished ownership and the animal shelter may dispose of the animal or place the animal with a new owner. If the owner of the animal is unknown or if notification of the owner is not reasonably practicable, the animal shelter may dispose of the animal or place the animal with a new owner following not less than five days of impoundment.
(Ord. 2014-24-CM, passed 12-15-14; Am. Ord. 2019-30-CM, passed 12-2-19)