§ 6-157. Charges for reclaiming, adopting impounded animals; liability of claimant.

(a)

Any owner reclaiming an impounded animal shall, before the animal will be released to him, pay impoundment and boarding fees. The director or his designee is authorized to reduce or waive impoundment and/or boarding fees. No deposit or fee shall be charged to a breed rescue organization adopting an impounded animal.

(b)

No animal shall be released from the animal care facility without the owner presenting proof that the animal has had a rabies vaccination in compliance with the requirements of state law. An owner of any dog or cat who cannot provide proof of said rabies vaccination shall be subject to a fee for rabies vaccination of each dog or cat. In addition, no animal shall be released without being registered with the city.

(c)

Any citizen reclaiming or adopting any animal under the provisions of this section shall be liable for any applicable fees.

(d)

All animals adopted from the animal care facility shall be spayed or neutered within thirty (30) days unless this procedure has already been accomplished. Persons adopting animals from the animal care facility shall pay the applicable fees for adopting a dog or cat. As an incentive for the adoption of animals, the director is authorized to advertise and reduce or waive adoption fees.

(e)

The city animal care facility is authorized to accept animals for humane disposition from individuals who reside in the city.

(f)

At the time animals are reclaimed from the animal care facility they will be identified by the implantation of a microchip so the animal, if ever lost or stolen, can be returned to its owner. (If a microchip service is available).

(g)

If an animal that is impounded is sterilized, currently vaccinated for rabies and registered with the city, the director will not charge an impound fee for the first impound only. The animal must be reclaimed within the time limits prescribed by this section. The initial impound will count as a first impound in assessing fees for any future impounds and is applied on a per-residence basis.

(Ord. No. 2018-20, § 1, 8-13-2018)