§ 17.25.050. Availability for adoption.

A.

The animal care and control center shall take affirmative action to make available for adoption all unclaimed animals except for those in paragraph C of this section.

B.

After the minimum term of impoundment, or additional time as required by law or the animal's well being, the animal care and control center shall determine, with consultation available by a licensed veterinarian, those animals to be made available for adoption.

C.

None of the following animals shall be made available for adoption:

1.

An animal exhibiting symptoms of a major infectious or contagious disease, as determined by a licensed veterinarian;

2.

An animal that in the judgment of a licensed veterinarian should be euthanized for humane reasons. If the animal has traceable identification or the animal owner or custodian is known, every effort shall be made to contact the owner or custodian prior to euthanasia; provided the animal is not in a suffering or dying condition;

3.

An animal determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unadoptable;

4.

An animal subject to a pending administrative or judicial hearing, or an appeal;

5.

An animal that is the subject of a quarantine or protective custody imposed under this title, except when the term of quarantine or protective custody and all appeals have expired and the owner has not, or cannot, redeem the animal;

6.

An animal prohibited from being owned by federal, state or municipal law;

7.

An animal determined by the chief animal control officer, in consultation with a licensed veterinarian, exhibiting behavior described under section 17.40.020A as level 3, 4, or 5 that could pose a threat to another animal or the public health, safety and welfare.

D.

The chief animal control officer or designee may approve the rescue of animals referenced in 17.25.050C.1. or unclaimed animals that would otherwise be euthanized if the rescue group agrees to provide necessary medical care for the animal.

E.

An animal determined to be adoptable shall be held available for adoption for a minimum period of five days, unless the chief animal control officer or designee determines the animal care and control center is at full capacity. In such case, the chief animal control officer may shorten the availability period for an animal.

F.

Animals surrendered to the animal care and control center by owners releasing entitlement to them shall be available for adoption under the terms of this section.

G.

Animals under protective custody by the animal care and control center, not redeemed by owners, and whose appeal time has expired, shall be available for adoption under the terms of this section.

H.

At the end of the period allowed for redemption, ownership of the animal shall be relinquished to the municipality. The animal may become available for adoption and shall no longer be available for redemption by the animal owner or custodian.

(AO No. 2001-158(S-4), § 1, 1-1-03)