§ 14-34. Keeping/adopting stray animals.

1.

It shall be unlawful for any person in the County to harbor or keep any stray or apparently lost animal unless he/she has notified the Division within twenty-four (24) hours from the time such animal came into his/her possession. Upon receiving such notice, the Division may require the person to bring the animal to the Division for identification or sheltering, if necessary.

2.

Adopting stray found animals. A resident who possesses a stray dog or cat and who wishes to provide it a permanent home, shall apply to legally adopt such animal by adhering to the following procedures:

A.

Take the found stray animal to the Division to be scanned for a RFID and checked for a tattoo. An exception to this requirement is for the potential adopter to take the dog or cat to a local veterinarian or another animal shelter to be scanned for an RFID and checked for a tattoo. Proof must be presented to the Division that these requirements have been met. The applicant will not be permitted to adopt a stray dog or cat where an owner is discovered and has not formally forfeited the animal to DAS.

B.

Provide the Division with clear identifying color photographs showing the animal from a side view and a front view. Each photograph must have a minimal dimension of three (3) inches by three (3) inches. It is also recommended that the potential adopter place a "found" advertisement in at least one (1) local newspaper of general circulation.

C.

Complete an official "found" pet form which provides all appropriate identifying information for the animal.

D.

Sign an adoption agreement and pay all necessary fees and deposits. The prospective owner, at his/her option and expense, may make an appointment at the Division to secure the required vaccinations, tests, RFID and sterilization or may secure these requirements through a private veterinarian. All deposits will be refunded when proof is shown that the new owner has complied with these requirements. No sooner than thirty (30) days after completing the official "found" pet form and not to exceed forty-five (45) days.

3.

If the animal becomes injured or sick while under the potential adopter's care, that person shall be required to pay all necessary veterinary expenses. If the adopter does not wish to pay for needed treatment, the animal must be relinquished to the Division. The potential adopter shall lose all rights and claims to the animal.

4.

All potential adopters must agree to relinquish the found dog or cat to its rightful owner after proof of ownership has been demonstrated and/or until such time as the Division approves and releases the animal to the new adopter, no sooner than thirty (30) days after completing a "found" pet form. All potential adopters will relinquish the found dog or cat to the Division upon request if the potential adopter fails to return the animal to the rightful owner for reunification.

5.

Such animal(s) may become the property of a person only if the following requirements are also met:

A.

Photographs and identifying information have been posted at the Division for fifteen (15) business days;

B.

The animal has been given a rabies inoculation and County rabies/license tag;

C.

The animal has been sterilized; and

D.

The animal has been implanted with an RFID and the RFID is registered to said person. The requirements herein must be secured within fifteen (15) calendar days after animal services approves the adoption application. Extensions may be granted by animal services for reasonable requests. Any deviation from these adoption requirements by the potential adopter will void the adoption.

6.

At its discretion, the Division may refuse an adoption of an animal if it is determined that the adoption is not in the best interest of the animal or the health, safety and general welfare of the public. Factors to be considered may include those factors set forth in Section Sixteen (§ 14-41) of this Ordinance.

(Ord. No. 2018-33, § 1)