(a)
As soon as practicable after an impoundment of a dog or cat or other pet animal is known, reasonable attempts shall be made by the animal control authority to notify the owner. Any impounded dog or cat or pet animal may be redeemed by the payment of any applicable fees, including without limitation, if applicable, a microchipping fee, veterinary charges, if any, and rabies vaccination fee if the animal was unvaccinated at the time of impoundment. If such animal is not redeemed within 72 hours of its impoundment, it shall be the sole property of the city. Any impounded animal which appears to be seriously ill, injured, or visibly affected with any sign of communicable disease or to be a risk to other animals in the animal shelter before the end of the 72-hour waiting period, may be humanely euthanized. In addition, puppies and kittens underage unable to eat and drink on their own may be humanely euthanized to end suffering.
(b)
It shall be unlawful for any person to remove any animal from the animal shelter without the consent of the manager of the animal shelter.
(c)
An individual may adopt a dog or cat from the animal shelter under such terms and conditions as shall be established and approved by the city, this chapter, and the animal control authority.
(d)
Any veterinary procedure, testing, or treatment for any animal in the custody of the animal control authority, shall be the expense of the owner or person maintaining the animal.
(e)
When a person reclaims a dog or cat that has been impounded for running at-large on two or more occasions, and the dog or cat is intact the person shall provide proof of sterilization of the dog or cat to the animal services division within 60 calendar days of reclaiming the animal. If such proof is not provided within 60 calendar days, the person reclaiming the animal shall be assessed a fine of $250.00.
(f)
When a person reclaims a dog or cat that has been impounded for running at-large on two or more occasions, and the dog or cat is intact, and the person failed to comply with subsection (e), the person reclaiming the animal shall be required to pay, a fine of $500.00 for the second occasion and $500.00 for any subsequent occasions.
(g)
Immediately upon intake, the animal control authority is authorized to provide each appropriately aged, impounded animal with core immunizations as defined by the Association of Shelter Veterinarian guidelines. Said immunizations shall be performed by a licensed veterinarian or by a person under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
(h)
Immediately upon intake, the animal control authority is authorized to provide or obtain for each impounded animal such treatment as a licensed veterinarian determines is appropriate for the animal.
(i)
For all impounded dogs and cats without a microchip on two or more occasions, the animal control authority is authorized to implant an identification microchip behind the shoulder blades in any impounded animal before it is released to its owner at the owner's expense, or alternatively, the owner must provide a pre-paid receipt to the city animal control authority from a licensed veterinarian for the purchase of, and implantation of the microchip.
(Ordinance 444 adopted 11/1/2022)