(A) Any animal shall be taken up and impounded at the Animal Shelter (or at such other place as may be approved by the director) if, to the knowledge of Animal Services, any of the following conditions exist, including but not limited to:
(1) The animal is engaged in an activity or existing in a condition prohibited by this chapter;
(2) The animal is, or will be, without proper care due to the injury, illness, death, incarceration, or other involuntary absence of the owner or person responsible for the care of such animal;
(3) The animal poses an immediate threat to public safety and/or health; or
(4) The animal is required to be quarantined.
(B) Notice of impoundment. When an animal implanted with a microchip or wearing a current Tulare City license is impounded, Animal Services shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner or custodian of record of the date and place of impoundment or removal, and the procedure whereby the owner or custodian may apply to regain custody of the animal.
(C) Duration.
(1) All impounded animals shall be kept in the Animal Shelter or other authorized place of Impoundment for the period as described in §§ 31108, 31752 and 31753 of the Cal. Food and Agricultural Code.
(2) During this holding period and prior to adoption or euthanasia, the animal will be scanned for a microchip, license tag, tattoo or other form of identification. If one is found and the owner can be determined, a reasonable effort must be made to contact the owner of the animal.
(3) Except for stray animals experiencing irremediable suffering or needing maternal care, any stray animal impounded shall, prior to the scheduled euthanasia of that animal, be released to an animal rescue.
(D) Redemption.
(1) The owner or custodian of any animal impounded may, at any time before the expiration of the period of impoundment, redeem the animal by paying all civil penalties, fees and charges accrued. If the animal is subject to the licensing or license provisions of this chapter, the licensing requirements must be satisfied before the animal is released.
(2) Pursuant to § 31254 of the Cal. Food and Agricultural Code, the refusal or failure of the owner or custodian of any impounded animal to pay the fees and charges after due notification shall be held to be an abandonment of the animal by the owner or custodian.
(3) All animals that have been impounded must be implanted with a microchip at the owner's or custodian's expense prior to redemption.
(4) Refer to § 6.12.400, Spay and Neuter of City Dogs and Cats for redemption of unaltered animals.
(E) Owner surrendered animals.
(1) Upon surrender of the animal to Animal Services, the owner or custodian must present sufficient identification such as driver's license, California identification card, bill of sale for the animal, adoption contract or dog license, to establish his or her ownership of the animal and shall sign a statement that he or she is the lawful owner of the animal. The owner or custodian of the surrendered animal must pay all required fees.
(2) If the animal surrendered has a history of potentially dangerous or vicious behavior, it may be immediately euthanized in accordance with § 31108.5 of the Cal. Food and Agricultural Code.
(3) All animals will be held for the length of time outlined in § 31754 of the Cal. Food and Agricultural Code.
(F) Disposition of impounded and surrendered animals.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, an impounded animal which is not redeemed within the applicable holding period specified in this chapter or an animal voluntarily surrendered to Animal Services for adoption, except an animal that has been impounded for quarantine or is known to have bitten a human or to have demonstrated potentially dangerous or vicious propensities, may be offered for adoption as determined by Animal Services and in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
(2) When an animal is adopted, the receipt issued by Animal Services shall be valid proof of ownership to the adopter. All adoptions shall convey a good and valid title to the adopter, and the previous animal owner or custodian shall thereafter be barred from recovering said animal.
(Ord. 17-13, passed 12-19-2017)