(a) 
Animals found in circumstances in which impoundment is authorized by the provisions of this chapter may be taken into custody and impounded at the city animal shelter or other appropriate facility designated by the animal services manager.
(b) 
The department is authorized to accept animals from owners who reside in the city and voluntarily relinquish ownership and control of an animal to the city by stating such in writing. Upon executing a written statement and surrendering the animal, the animal immediately becomes property of the city. Such animal will be subject to disposition at the sole discretion of the department.
(c) 
The city shall immediately, upon possession, be the designated caretaker of any animal duly impounded or surrendered. Upon intake, animals will be microchipped for identification if no microchip is detected, given vaccinations to protect animal health, and will receive any other necessary treatment the veterinarian determines is appropriate for the animal, at the owner's expense.
(d) 
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or pursuant to a court order, any impounded animal shall be held as follows:
(1) 
Seventy-two (72) hours, excluding the day of impoundment, unless (d)(2), (d)(3), (d)(4) or (d)(5) of this subsection applies to the animal;
(2) 
Up to seventy-two (72) hours if the animal is feral;
(3) 
Ten (10) days, excluding the day of impoundment, if the animal is being held for protective custody;
(4) 
Seventy-two (72) hours after the expiration of the observation period if the animal is impounded for quarantine; or
(5) 
An alternative period mutually agreed upon by the owner and the animal services manager with such agreement being in writing and signed by the owner on a form approved by the animal services manager.
(Ordinance 2021-10468, § 2, adopted 7/22/2021)
(a) 
If any animal is not reclaimed by the owner within the applicable hold period described in section 6-20, any prior ownership will be completely divested and the animal shall become property of the city and such animal may be adopted, transferred or euthanized at the sole discretion of the department.
(b) 
Any impounded animal suffering due to illness, injury or disease may be transferred or euthanized during the hold period at the sole discretion of the department.
(c) 
Due to their immature immune systems, any impounded animal under three (3) months of age shall immediately become property of the city and may be adopted, transferred or euthanized at the sole discretion of the department.
(d) 
The owner of an impounded animal remains subject to prosecution for a violation and liable for any fees related to impoundment whether or not the animal is reclaimed.
(Ordinance 2021-10468, § 2, adopted 7/22/2021)
(a) 
In order for an owner to reclaim an impounded animal, he/she must meet the following requirements:
(1) 
Rabies vaccination required for dogs, cats and ferrets.
a. 
For the purposes of this subsection, sufficient proof of an animal's current rabies vaccination is a rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian as described in section 6-30(e).
b. 
If the owner cannot prove that the animal has a current rabies vaccination, the owner shall pay a fee to the city to have the rabies vaccination administered prior to the animal being released by the city.
c. 
If a rabies vaccination cannot be given at the time of reclaiming the animal, the owner shall have seven (7) days to provide the department written, verifiable proof of obtaining a current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian.
(2) 
Microchip required for dogs and cats.
a. 
Prior to releasing an animal, a microchip must be detectable with a scanner and the microchip registration information must match the owner.
b. 
If the microchip information does not match the owner at the time of reclaiming the animal, the owner shall have thirty (30) days to provide the department written, verifiable proof of microchip registration.
c. 
If the animal is not already microchipped, the owner shall pay a fee to the city to have a microchip implanted into the animal prior to the animal being released by the city.
d. 
If a microchip cannot be implanted at the time of reclaiming the animal, the owner shall have seven (7) days to provide the department written, verifiable proof of microchip implantation from a licensed veterinarian and registration as required in section 6-15.
(3) 
Sterilization required for any dog, cat or rabbit impounded more than one (1) time in any consecutive twelve-month period.
a. 
For the purposes of this subsection, proof of sterilization shall be a sterilization certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.
b. 
If the owner cannot provide proof of sterilization prior to release, the owner shall provide such certificate within thirty (30) days of release.
c. 
Subsections (3)a and (3)b do not apply if the owner of the animal provides proof that one or more of the following conditions are met:
1. 
The animal is less than six (6) months of age;
2. 
A licensed veterinarian certifies in writing and on office letterhead that the dog or cat is not medically suitable to be spayed or neutered due to health condition(s) or is permanently non-fertile as confirmed by a health examination;
3. 
The animal is a trained military or police service animal.
(b) 
Provide payment to the city animal shelter for all applicable fees, costs and expenses incurred by the city in the seizure and impoundment of the animal. These fees and costs shall include, but not be limited to, daily impoundment fees, veterinarian fees, cost of vaccinations, and cost of any medication and treatment reasonably required for the animal's care while impounded.
(c) 
Animals cannot be reclaimed or released if:
(1) 
An impounded animal is wild or prohibited. Such animals may be transferred or euthanized at the discretion of the department;
(2) 
An impounded animal is being held for investigation of rabies, rabies quarantine or is subject to a pending hearing or court order. Such animals shall not be released until the other provisions of this chapter or court determination are met; or
(3) 
If the owner fails to provide sufficient proof of vaccination, microchipping, or sterilization as required by section 6-22(a).
(d) 
A person commits an offense if he/she fails to provide proof of vaccination, microchipping, or sterilization as required in this section.
(Ordinance 2021-10468, § 2, adopted 7/22/2021)
(a) 
Animals may be adopted from animal services under the following conditions:
(1) 
The animal has been evaluated by animal services personnel and determined to be an adoption candidate based on health, age and observed behavior. A decision by animal services shall not constitute a warranty of health, age or behavior of the animal;
(2) 
The dog, cat or rabbit is sterilized. If the dog, cat or rabbit is not already sterilized, the animal services manager may, at his/her sole discretion, release the animal with a signed sterilization agreement pursuant to Texas Health and Safety Code, Title 10, Chapter 828.
(3) 
The dog or cat has microchip identification implanted;
(4) 
The dog, cat or ferret is currently vaccinated against rabies; and
(5) 
All adoption fees and other fees authorized by this chapter are tendered to the city.
(b) 
The animal services manager may refuse/deny the adoption of any animal for any reason, including but not limited to, a person who is believed:
(1) 
To be under the age of eighteen (18) years;
(2) 
To not have the proper facilities to contain or care for the animal following the provisions of this chapter;
(3) 
To want the animal for the purposes of resale or for purposes other than companion animal ownership;
(4) 
To potentially subject the animal to abandonment, inhumane treatment or cruelty if adopted; or
(5) 
To have the intent to transfer custody of the animal to its previous owner, permitting the previous owner to evade enforcement under this chapter.
(c) 
A person commits an offense if he/she signs a sterilization agreement under Texas Health and Safety Code, Title 10, Chapter 828 and fails to provide confirmation of sterilization as required by said chapter, as amended.
(Ordinance 2021-10468, § 2, adopted 7/22/2021)