Note: Prior code history: Prior code §§ 3.80—3.90.
A. 
It is the policy of Placer County and the state of California that no adoptable animal should be euthanized if a suitable home is available.
B. 
Adoptable animals are those eight weeks of age or older, that possess no significant behavioral, temperamental or health defects that could pose a health or safety risk or render the animal unsuitable as a pet. A condition that, with reasonable efforts, could result in an adoptable pet will be explored. (California Penal Code Section 599d)
C. 
Any animal which is, to the knowledge of the director of animal services, engaged in an activity, or existing in a condition prohibited by this chapter shall be taken and impounded at the animal services center or at such other place as may be approved by the director of health services.
D. 
"Feral cats" are cats with temperaments that are completely unsocialized as defined by California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31752.5.
(Ord. 5149-B § 3, 2002; Ord. 5653-B § 19, 2011)
In addition to the power vested in the director of animal services for the impoundment of any horse, mule, cow, goat, sheep, hog or burro found running at large, any peace officer is hereby empowered to impound such animal and to turn such animal over to the director of animal services for disposition under this chapter.
(Ord. 5149-B § 3, 2002; Ord. 5653-B § 20, 2011)
A. 
All impounded dogs found wearing a current dog license tag shall be kept in the animal services center for a period of not less than 10 days unless redeemed within such period.
B. 
All impounded dogs not wearing a current dog license tag, and cats, shall be impounded for a period of time that is no less than what is consistent with state law.
C. 
Following the impoundment of any animal and prior to the adoption or euthanasia of the animal, reasonable efforts shall be made to identify the animal's owner (including a microchip scan) and to contact the owner (by phone, in person or in writing if known) with notice of the impoundment and redemption availability, the director of animal services shall notify the owner of any licensed animal or the owner of any unlicensed animal if known, either personally or in writing, after which the animal will be otherwise disposed of as authorized by this chapter.
D. 
Except as provided in California Food and Agricultural Code Sections 17006 and 31752.5, dogs and cats shall be held for owner redemption or adoption consistent with state law.
E. 
Except as provided in Food and Agricultural Code Sections 17006 and 31752.5, stray animals or relinquished animals, impounded pursuant to this section shall be released to a nonprofit (Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)) animal rescue or adoption organization if requested by the organization prior to the scheduled euthanasia of that animal if that animal does not have a history of dangerous behavior pursuant to Food and Agricultural Code Section 31108.5(b). In addition to required spay or neuter fees, a fee (not to exceed the adoption fee) will be assessed for released animals.
(Ord. 5149-B § 3, 2002; Ord. 5653-B § 21, 2011)
The owner of any animal impounded that has been deemed available for adoption and does not have a documented history of aggressive or dangerous behavior may, at any time before the disposition thereof, redeem the same by offering proof of ownership, and by redeeming all proper fees and charges accrued as provided for by this chapter provided, however, that if the animal is one which is subject to a license herein, the licensing requirements must be satisfied before the animal's release, except that an impounded dog that has not been vaccinated against rabies (or exempted therefrom by an exemption certificate as provided in this chapter) may be released to an owner who has paid all fees required herein including the license fee, on condition that such owner shall:
A. 
Have the dog vaccinated for rabies within 10 days; and
B. 
Exhibit a valid certificate of vaccination to the director of animal services within 10 days, at which time the license will be issued.
(Ord. 5149-B § 3, 2002; Ord. 5653-B § 22, 2011)
A. 
Except as otherwise provided in this article, an impounded animal which is not redeemed within the applicable holding period specified in this article may be adopted by a competitive bidding process or otherwise, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of pursuant to statute.
B. 
If an animal is adopted, the receipt signed by the director of animal services shall be valid title to the purchaser.
C. 
When any dog or cat is to be adopted pursuant to this chapter, prior to the delivery of the animal by the owner, the animal shall be spayed or neutered by a veterinarian. If the animal is too young or sick as certified by a licensed veterinarian then there shall be deposited by the purchaser with animal services, a spaying or neutering deposit, which shall be designated for the veterinarian, for the payment of the spaying or neutering operation. The amount of the deposit shall be designated by the director of animal services. The purchaser shall be responsible for any additional costs of the spaying or neutering operation over and above the deposit. All dogs/cats deemed old enough for surgical altering by a veterinarian shall be spayed/neutered prior to the purchasers receipt of the animal. Upon receipt from the veterinarian that a spaying or neutering operation has been performed, the deposit will be forwarded to the veterinarian. In the event that the purchaser fails to have the animal spayed or neutered within the six-month period following its purchase, the spaying and neutering deposit will be forfeited and shall become the property of Placer County and used in accordance with California Food and Agricultural Code Section 30521.
When an animal is to be adopted pursuant to this chapter, prior to the delivery of the animal, all costs incurred for veterinary services provided on behalf of such animal shall be paid in full to animal services. These services are provided on an individual basis at the discretion of animal services staff and may include, but are not limited to, vaccinations, heartworm tests, leukemia tests, dentals, grooming, worming and other deemed necessary or appropriate.
D. 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article to the contrary, an impounded animal which is determined by the director of animal services to be unfit, unwanted, dangerous, injured or ill, may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as ordered by the director of animal services as provided in California Penal Code Section 597.1 and California Food and Agricultural Code Section 17006.
E. 
Impounded Animals Adopted Out Through an Animal Services Competitive Bidding Process.
1. 
The department shall announce and advertise a competitive bidding process to be employed when more than one potential adopter wants to procure the same shelter animal and as deemed necessary by the director of animal services to promote public awareness and participation in said bidding.
2. 
If an owner of said animal attempts to redeem said animal any time before the bidding begins, then the county will return the animal to the owner after the department has determined that the person is in fact the owner of said animal, the owner has met all the requirements of redemption as per animal services policies to receive the animal as determined by the director, and the owner has paid any and all fees due and owing under this chapter.
3. 
Once competitive bidding has begun the department will not entertain claims of ownership. The animal will be transferred to the highest bidder once the new owner has met all the requirements of redemption as per animal services policies to receive the animal as determined by the director, and payment has been made.
4. 
Any new owner of such animal may, within 14 days after such purchase, exchange such animal if said animal has been examined by a veterinarian or by an authorized departmental representative and determined to be physically or otherwise unsuitable for placement. If the charges for the substituted animal are greater than the amount paid for the original, the purchaser shall pay the difference. No refund shall be made if the price of the substituted animal is less than the amount paid for the original. An exchange must be consummated within 31 calendar days from the original purchase date and no part of the purchase price shall be refunded even if a purchaser is unable to make satisfactory exchange within the prescribed period.
5. 
Proceeds from any competitive bidding of animals will be used for costs associated with that animal that were incurred by the county. Any additional proceeds shall be used to defray other costs of maintaining animals at the shelter.
(Ord. 5149-B § 3, 2002; Ord. 5653-B § 23, 2011)
A. 
An impound fee for every impounded animal and/or livestock shall be charged and collected when claimed and before released in an amount set forth in Section 2.116.110.
B. 
When extraordinary care or expense is incurred, the actual cost will be charged. In the case of animals other than dogs and cats, this includes, but is not limited to, transportation, custody, boarding, and advertising expense.
C. 
A redemption fee shall be charged and collected in an amount set forth in Section 2.116.110.
D. 
For taking into custody any dog, cat, livestock or other animal at the request of the owner thereof, either at the animal shelter or the owner's residence, a fee in an amount set forth in Section 2.116.110 shall be charged and collected.
E. 
When the director of animal services causes an animal at large to be returned to the property of the owner of the animal, a fee amounting to time, mileage, and extraordinary expenses may be charged.
(Ord. 5149-B § 3, 2002; Ord. 5653-B § 24, 2011; Ord. 5741-B § 11, 2014)
A. 
A fee for every relinquished animal shall be charged and collected when the animal is surrendered in an amount set forth in Section 2.116.110.
B. 
Except as provided in California Food and Agricultural Code Sections 17006 and 31754, any animal that is voluntarily deposited with the animal services center or authorized personnel thereof by the owner shall be available for adoption consistent with state law; it may be retained for adoption, euthanized or released under the same conditions provided for stray dogs and cats.
C. 
Notwithstanding the above, kittens or puppies relinquished by the purported owner, or by a delegated authority, may be available immediately for adoption.
D. 
Consistent with state law, newborn animals that need maternal care and have been impounded without their mothers may be euthanized without being held for owner redemption or adoption.
(Ord. 5149-B § 3, 2002; Ord. 5653-B § 25, 2011; Ord. 5741-B § 12, 2014)