505.18. Impoundment.

   (a)   Any cat impounded shall be held by the Animal Control Officer, or designee, for not less than seventy-two hours, unless sooner released as provided in this chapter. The Animal Control Officer shall notify the owner of each cat impounded if the cat bears a cat tag and such owner's identity and address can be ascertained upon reasonable investigation. Such notice shall be given within twenty-four hours after such cat is impounded and shall inform the owner of the purpose or reason for such impounding and the requirements to permit release of the cat.

   (b)   The Animal Control Officer shall not release any cat to its owner until the owner has provided to the Commissioner proof of ownership of such cat, has paid an impounding fee of ten dollars ($10.00), has obtained a registration and cat tag as provided in this chapter, the cat has been properly vaccinated as provided in this chapter, according to its age, the owner has paid the cost of such vaccination if the vaccination is performed by the City, and the owner has paid the City's cost of kenneling the cat. Persons willing to adopt an impounded cat shall be allowed possession of the cat upon compliance with the foregoing conditions, except that no proof of ownership or impounding fee shall be required. The Animal Control Officer shall not knowingly allow adoption of any cat by a person or entity for purposes of the cat being used for fighting or exhibition or medical, scientific or other research or teaching, nor allow adoption of cats in such quantity as to produce a reasonable suspicion as to their intended use for such purposes.

   (c)   Any impounded cat remaining unclaimed or not redeemed at the expiration of seventy-two hours shall be deemed abandoned by its owner and may be destroyed in a humane manner, unless in the judgment of the Animal Control Officer a suitable home may be found for such cat, provided, however, no cat bearing a valid, unexpired cat tag shall be deemed abandoned until after the expiration of fourteen days from the time of impoundment.

   (d)   The Mayor, upon the recommendation of the Director of the Health Department, may solicit and, subject to the further approval of Council, accept proposals from outside agencies to enforce a part or all of the duties and responsibilities imposed by Sections 505.15 to 505.19.

(Ord. 558-92. Passed 8-4-92.)