(A) Any domestic animal not reclaimed by its owner within six days of the posting of notice of impoundment at the animal control facility shall be eligible for either adoption, rescue, or euthanasia, whichever is necessary, in the discretion of Warrick County Animal Control, to carry out the intent of this chapter.
(B) Adoption. Adoption of an unclaimed animal from Warrick County Animal Control requires the following:
(1) The adopting party to pay for a rabies vaccination of said animal, if the animal is one requiring rabies vaccination under the laws of the State of Indiana or by this chapter;
(2) By paying a fee of $10 for any animal six months of age or older, or a fee of $5 for any animal under the age of six months. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the cost of an animal that is already spayed or neutered at the time of adoption is $25. The Animal Control Officer shall be charged with the responsibility of determining the species and age of the adopted animal. Adoption fees may be modified by Warrick County Animal Control from time to time, according to its discretion; and
(3) In the event the animal to be adopted has not been spayed or neutered, the animal shall be spayed or neutered prior to finalization of the adoption. The person seeking adoption shall make arrangements with a licensed veterinarian in Warrick County to perform the necessary surgery to spay or neuter the animal. The Animal Control Officer shall deliver the animal to the veterinarian's office for such surgery.
(C) Rescue. Rescue of an unclaimed animal from Warrick County Animal Control requires the following:
(1) The rescuing party pay a fee of:
(a) Five dollars for an animal less than six months of age;
(b) Ten dollars for an animal six months of age or older; or
(c) Fifteen dollars for a litter of offspring and the litter's mother.
(d) Rescue fees may be modified by Warrick County Animal Control, from time to time, according to its discretion.
(2) Each rescuing party be approved by Warrick County Animal Control for the rescue of the unclaimed animal and have a completed rescue application on file at the Warrick County Animal Control office. Rescue applications are available at the Warrick County Animal Control office.
(D) Euthanasia. The decision to euthanize an unclaimed animal shall be made at the sole discretion of Warrick County Animal Control.
(BC Ord. 1992-2, passed 2-10-92; Am. BC Ord. 2003-15, passed 7-16- 03; Am. BC Ord. 2018-26, passed 9-24-18; Am. BC Ord. 2018-34, passed 12-10-18; Am. BC Ord. 2021-35, passed 9-27-21; Am. BC Ord. 2023-27, passed 12-27-23)