The ACO shall have the authority to:
(1) 
Impound an animal which is diseased and endangers the health and welfare of another animal or person;
(2) 
Dispense of an animal which poses an imminent danger to a person or property and a real or apparent necessity exists for the destruction of the animal;
(3) 
Dispense of an impounded animal if the ACO determines that recovery of the animal is doubtful due to injury or disease; and/or
(4) 
Dispense of an animal which, after being deemed dangerous according to the provisions and processes stated within this chapter, is found to be at-large within the city limits.
(Ordinance 2021-1286 adopted 9/14/21)
(a) 
Conditions.
The owner of any animal impounded shall have the right to redeem the animal upon satisfying the following conditions:
(1) 
Payment of all fees in accordance with current fee schedule;
(2) 
Delivery to animal care services proof of current rabies vaccination of the released animal within seven (7) days of release; and
(3) 
The owner possesses or obtains all permits required for the possession or keeping of the released animal, such as:
(A) 
Dangerous dog;
(B) 
Excessive animals; or
(C) 
Exotic pet.
(b) 
Impoundment fees.
The fees required to be paid before an animal will be released from impoundment, the amounts of which shall be adopted by the city council and set forth in the city's master fee schedule, shall include, but not be limited to, any or all of the following:
(1) 
Basic impound fee, adjusted upward for each subsequent impoundment;
(2) 
Daily boarding fees;
(3) 
Rabies vaccination fee, if no proof of current and valid rabies vaccination can be provided at the time of release; and
(4) 
Any other applicable permit fees.
(Ordinance 2021-1286 adopted 9/14/21)
If the owner of an animal requests euthanasia of the animal by animal care services due to injury or illness where recovery of the animal is unlikely and private means are not readily available, the owner must first sign all required forms and pay the required fees in accordance with current fee schedule.
(Ordinance 2021-1286 adopted 9/14/21)
(a) 
Requirements.
Any person who desires to adopt an animal directly from the animal shelter shall first:
(1) 
Pay the required adoption fee as set forth in the city's master fee schedule;
(2) 
Have any animal four (4) months of age or older, for which no proof exists of a current and valid rabies vaccination exists, vaccinated for rabies before leaving the shelter or within seven (7) days of adoption and deliver a copy of such proof of vaccination to animal care services not later than thirty (30) days after the date of vaccination;
(3) 
Have any animal not yet vaccinated for rabies due to the age of the animal being less than four (4) months vaccinated as soon as the animal becomes eligible and deliver a copy of such proof of vaccination to animal care services not later than thirty (30) days after the date of vaccination;
(4) 
Register the animal in accordance with this chapter, if applicable; and
(5) 
Sign an agreement to have the animal sterilized pursuant to state law, within thirty (30) days after the adoption or as soon as the animal reaches the proper age for such a procedure, which agreement shall include an agreement by the adopter that if the adopter fails to comply with a sterilization agreement under this subsection, the animal may be seized and impounded by the ACO and ownership will automatically revert to the city.
(b) 
Spaying or neutering of animal.
Each dog or cat adopted from the animal shelter shall be spayed or neutered prior to release of the animal to the adopter, unless:
(1) 
The dog or cat is under six (6) months of age;
(2) 
A licensed veterinarian certifies that the dog or cat should not be spayed or neutered for health reasons or is permanently non-fertile; or
(3) 
The animal has not spent enough time in custody to be scheduled for sterilization.
(c) 
Determination of whether animal is suitable for adoption.
The ACO shall make the final determination whether an animal is suitable for adoption. The ACO will consider such factors as the health and temperament of the animal. However, such a decision by the ACO to permit adoption of a particular animal shall not constitute a warranty, expressed or implied, of the health, temperament, suitability, or age of the animal.
(Ordinance 2021-1286 adopted 9/14/21)
Baby nursing animals impounded without the mother, or whose mother cannot or refuses to provide nutritious milk, may be transferred to a licensed rehabilitation facility whenever such facility is willing and able to provide care for the baby nursing animals. Should no facility be available, the animals may be humanely euthanized to prevent further suffering.
(Ordinance 2021-1286 adopted 9/14/21)