Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

(1) Any domesticated animal impounded or relinquished by its owner to the City may be made available to the public for adoption, at the discretion of the Animal Control Administrator. Adoptions shall meet the following minimum requirements:

a. If the animal was impounded, it must be held for a minimum of five business days prior to being eligible for adoption. Animals that have been signed over to the City by their owners are eligible for adoption immediately.

b. The animal must be of a suitable age, type, and temperament for adoption, as determined by the Animal Control Administrator.

c. The animal must be free from signs of illness, serious injury, or aggressive behavior.

d. The person desiring to adopt the animal shall complete an adoption questionnaire provided by the Animal Control Division, and shall be interviewed by a member of the Division regarding the adoption process and fees, responsible household pet owner practices, and Animal Control ordinances. The interview may include an inspection of the animal's proposed living area and conditions. The adoption may be refused if, based upon the information supplied in the questionnaire and interview process, the Animal Control Administrator believes that the adoption would not be in the best interests of the adopting person or the animal.

e. The decision of the Animal Control Administrator may be appealed to the City Community Preservation Director. The Director shall issue a written decision within 30 days of the appeal. The decision of the Community Preservation Director may be appealed to District Court.

f. Prior to receiving custody of the animal, the adopting person must pay any applicable fees, which may include an adoption fee and license fee.

g. If, at the end of the impoundment period, the individual or entity against whom the decision and order of the Community Preservation Director was issued has not complied with the order or petitioned District Court for a review of said order, the Animal Control Division shall cause the dog to be destroyed in a humane manner.

h. Except as provided in Subsection (i), all animals subject to licensing and cats must be spayed or neutered prior to adoption. The spay/neuter requirements of this Section do not apply to any animal subject to licensing or cat that is certified to be altered at the time of adoption.

i. An animal subject to licensing, or cat that has not been sterilized, may be adopted only if:

i. The person adopting the animal agrees in writing to be responsible for ensuring that the animal will be sterilized within 30 days after the agreement is signed, if the animal is six months of age or older; or within 30 days after the animal becomes six months of age; and

ii. The person adopting the animal pays the sterilization deposit, as provided in Section 23-6-107.

j. If the person adopting the animal fails to comply with the sterilization agreement provided for in this Subsection:

i. The animal shall be immediately seized and impounded;

ii. The person relinquishes all ownership rights to the animal, and also any claim for expenses incurred for care and maintenance of the animal;

iii. The person forfeits the sterilization deposit of Section 23-6-107; and

iv. The person may be subject to any penalties established by this Title.

k. All animals are adopted as is, and the adopting person is responsible for the animal, its actions, and its care once the adopting person has taken custody of the animal.

l. The Animal Control Administrator may implement a policy for the exchange of sick or undesirable animals within 30 days of the date the animal was adopted.

(Ord. No. 99-18 Amended 05/21/1999; Ord. No. 09-22 Amended 07/08/2009; Ord. No. 14-19 Amended 04/26/2014; Ord. No. 22-28 Amended 07/12/2022)