For purposes of this title, "city animal shelter" refers to the City of Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California, unless provided otherwise by resolution.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978; Ord. 1036 § 4, 1983)
The animal services manager or his designee is authorized to take into custody and impound any animal found in violation of this title, and shall place all such animals taken into custody in the city animal shelter if the owner cannot be, upon initial contact, identified and contacted and the animal returned home. Unregistered dogs impounded will be placed in the city animal shelter and may be redeemed as specified in Section 6.10.100.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978; Ord. 1158 § 13, 1988)
No person shall take possession of any animal found running at large without notifying the animal services manager within twelve hours after receiving possession, giving a full description of the animal and the address and phone number of the place where the animal may be found. Such person, upon the request of the animal services manager or his designee, shall surrender such animal.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978)
(a) 
Animals wearing current valid registration tags, impounded pursuant to this chapter, shall be held for redemption by the owner for a period of seven calendar days.
(b) 
Registered animals impounded shall not be declared abandoned unless:
(1) 
The person issued the current tag for such animal so directs;
(2) 
The animal has been held a minimum of seventy-two hours from the initial impounding and is in need of medical attention.
(c) 
Animals bearing or wearing identification of any type shall be deemed registered for the purpose of a seven calendar day redemption period, and all efforts shall be made to locate and notify the owners as specified in Section 6.10.080.
(d) 
At the end of the seven-calendar-day period, animals not claimed by their owners may be placed for adoption.
(e) 
At the end of a ten-calendar-day period, animals not claimed by their owners may be euthanized in a humane manner. A shorter holding period may be deemed necessary by a committee created under city council policy.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978; Ord. 1158 § 8, 1988)
(a) 
Impounded animals not bearing identification of any type may be deemed unregistered and if not claimed shall be held in custody a period of:
(1) 
Seven calendar days before the animals may be placed for adoption; or
(2) 
Ten calendar days before the animals may be euthanized in a humane manner. A shorter holding period may be deemed necessary by a committee created under city council policy.
(b) 
Unregistered animals impounded shall be declared abandoned after being held a minimum of seventy-two hours and when in need of medical attention.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978; Ord. 1158 § 9, 1988)
The animal services manager or his designee will attempt to locate owners of lost or impounded registered dogs or cats for a period of five working days, and unregistered dogs and cats for five working days through public notice, private communication where owner is known, or, when a tattoo is found, notification of the tattoo registry, allowing for additional reasonable time for such registry to attempt to locate the owner.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978)
Registered animals may be redeemed by the owner or his authorized agent upon payment of the impound fees and care and feeding charges, as set by resolution of the city council, and any veterinary costs.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978; Ord. 1158 § 10, 1988)
Unregistered animals may be redeemed by the owner upon payment of the registration fee, impound fee and care and feeding charges, as set by resolution of the city council, and any veterinary costs, and upon proof of rabies vaccination. Any person claiming ownership of any unregistered impounded animal shall be required to present proof of ownership satisfactory to the animal services manager or his designee.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978; Ord. 1158 § 11, 1988)
Any impounded and unredeemed dog or cat eight weeks or older not suffering from any infections or communicable disease may be placed in a suitable home upon payment of a placement fee, as set by resolution of the city council, and a rabies vaccination fee and dog license fee, if applicable. Except as otherwise provided by state law or by this chapter, any other animal eight weeks or older which has not been redeemed within three days shall be deemed abandoned and may be placed upon payment of a placement fee as set by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978; Ord. 1158 § 12, 1988)
The animals services manager shall keep a record of each animal impounded, the date of receipt of such animal, the date and manner of its disposal and, if redeemed, reclaimed or adopted, the name of the person by whom redeemed, reclaimed or adopted, the address and telephone number of such person, and the amounts of all fees received or collected for or because of the impounding, reclaiming or adoption thereof, together with the number of any tag, and the date of any registration issued upon the redemption or adoption of such animal.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978)
The city animal services program has a pro-life oriented philosophy with a strong emphasis of placing all unredeemed animals in suitable homes. Animals that are not adopted within a reasonable period of time may be euthanized in a humane manner as prescribed by law and under standards set by the city council.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978; Ord. 921 § 1, 1978; Ord. 1036 § 5, 1983; Ord. 1158 § 14, 1988)
Under special provisions, specific breed clubs and humane organizations approved by the pet responsibility committee shall have the option of adopting available animals for purposes of placement from the city shelter.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1977)
Specific animal clubs and humane organizations approved by the animal services manager, or his or her designee, and the animal shelter volunteer employee committee may be allowed to assume the responsibility of caring for lost and stray animals, providing they have facilities for proper confinement, shelter and care of such animals. Such organizations shall notify the animal services manager within four hours after obtaining any animal so sheltered, giving a full description and any identification. Such organizations shall assume responsibility for placement of such animals in homes after sheltering them for a minimum of fourteen days, during which time they will make every attempt to locate and notify the owner.
(Ord. 918 § 1, 1978; Ord. 1036 § 6, 1983)