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Immediately upon impounding an animal, the Animal Control Section shall make reasonable effort to notify the owner or community cat sponsoring organization and inform the owner or community cat sponsoring organization of the conditions whereby the animal may be redeemed. If the owner or community cat sponsoring organization is unknown or cannot be located, the animal shall be assigned an impoundment identification number and release date. The impoundment identification number and release date shall be posted on the animal’s cage or kennel at the animal control shelter for a minimum of three business days and any information about the animal, including the time and place of the taking of the animal and the time and date of posting the notice of impoundment, shall be available at the animal control shelter by reference to the impoundment identification number.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004; Am. Ord. passed 6-4-2012)
(A) The owner or community cat caregiver of an animal impounded under this chapter may redeem the animal and regain possession thereof within 72 hours or three business days after notice of impoundment is given or posted, as required by § 91.51 by complying with all applicable provisions of this chapter and paying any necessary veterinarian’s fee, boarding fee and cost incurred in capture approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
(B) No animal owner or community cat caregiver may be permitted to adopt his or her own animal under the provisions of § 91.53 in order to reclaim an animal that has been impounded pursuant to state law or this chapter.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004; Am. Ord. passed 6-4-2012)
(A) If an impounded animal is not redeemed by the owner within the period prescribed in § 91.52, it may be destroyed in a humane manner or shall become the property of the animal shelter and offered for adoption. A new adult owner or community cat caregiver who agrees to comply with this chapter may acquire an impounded animal; however, any prospective new owner or community cat caregiver shall not be an animal dealer who acquires animals for resale. The prospective new owner or community cat caregiver must pay any required fees. The county will not purposefully release for adoption any animal that has previously bitten a person, is aggressive or is potentially dangerous. Fees may be waived at the discretion of the Environmental Services Director or designee for rescue groups and other animal welfare groups that apply in writing to the section. The placement of animals with these organizations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
(B) All unsterilized dogs and cats five months of age or older adopted from the county animal shelter shall be either spayed or neutered within 30 days of their adoption. All animals adopted under five months of age shall be spayed or neutered at six months of age. The adopter shall promptly provide written proof of the sterilization to the Animal Control Section. The adoption of any animal not sterilized pursuant to this section shall be deemed to violate the provision of this section and must be returned by the applicant for re-adoption to the county animal shelter. The Animal Control Section is authorized to obtain an adoption agreement from an applicant to implement the provisions of this section.
(C) (1) The animal shelter shall require from the adopter a sterilization deposit fee established by the Board of Commissioners to ensure that sterilization is obtained in addition to the established adoption fee if the animal has not been sterilized prior to its being adopted.
(2) When written proof that a licensed veterinarian has performed the required sterilization is returned to the Animal Control Section, a fee equal to the sterilization portion of the deposit will be reimbursed to the adopter. A person who fails within the specified time to arrange for the sterilization of an unsterilized cat or dog adopted from the animal shelter forfeits the sterilization deposit fee and shall surrender the cat or dog to the animal shelter.
(D) No animal which has been impounded by reason of its being a stray and unclaimed shall be allowed to be adopted from the animal shelter during a period of emergency rabies quarantine invoked pursuant to § 91.36 except by special authorization of the Director of Environmental Services.
(E) Any animal that exhibits fierce, dangerous or aggressive behavior will not be offered for adoption.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004; Am. Ord. passed 6-4-2012)
(A) Unless proof of a current rabies vaccination can be furnished, every person who either adopts or redeems a dog or cat at the animal shelter shall have his or her animal vaccinated for rabies. A one-year vaccination may be obtained at the time of reclaim or adoption at the county animal shelter. Each redeemed community cat shall be vaccinated at the animal shelter. If the owner or adopter wishes to receive the vaccine for his or her animal at a veterinary practice of their choice, they will be given a “proof of rabies vaccination card” at the time of the redemption or adoption. This card will be stamped with a date stating the maximum time limit allowed to take the dog or cat to the veterinarian of the person’s choice for rabies vaccination. The time limit for dogs and cats four months and older will be 72 hours, with Sundays and holidays excluded. For puppies and kittens under four months, the Environmental Services Director or his or her designee will determine the time limit according to their age within 72 hours of the designated date.
(B) The “proof of rabies vaccination card” will be completed and returned to the animal shelter by the veterinarian. If this card is not returned to the animal shelter within the time limit specified on the card, an animal control officer will be dispatched to retrieve the dog or cat.
(C) Payment for the rabies vaccination provided for in this section will be the responsibility of the person redeeming or adopting the animal.
(D) The adoption agreement will be completed at the time of adoption. If the adopter fails to comply with the agreement, an animal control officer may be dispatched to retrieve the dog or cat if corrective action has not been taken by the animal’s owner.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004)
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004)
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, any animal impounded, which is seriously wounded or diseased (not a rabies suspect) and has no identification shall be destroyed immediately. If the animal has identification, the Animal Control Section shall attempt to notify the owner before disposing of such, but if the owner cannot be reached readily, and the animal is suffering, the Animal Control Section may destroy the animal, at its discretion, in a humane manner.
(B) The Animal Control Section has the authority to humanely destroy severely injured livestock upon the owner’s request or when the owner is unknown.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004)
An animal surrendered by its owner to the Animal Control Section may be immediately placed for adoption or humanely destroyed at the discretion of the Environmental Services Director or the Director’s designee without compliance with § 91.51 when the owner:
(A) Affirmatively represents in writing that he or she is the legal owner of the animal;
(B) Agrees to hold the county and its officials and employees harmless from any liability, claims or damages that may be sustained by reason of the adoption or destruction of the animal; and
(C) Transfers ownership of the animal to the Animal Control Section.
(Ord. passed 5-3-2004)
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