<div class="chunk-title">Sec. 6-74. - Adoption or euthanization of unclaimed animals.</div>
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               (a)
               
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               If an impounded animal is not redeemed by the owner within the period described in
               this article, it shall become the property of the county and may be:
               
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               (1)
               
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               Transferred to an approved nonprofit rescue/adoption group registered with the county's
               animal services department for domesticated animals only, thus excluding wild animals;
               
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               (2)
               
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               Offered for adoption to individuals who have paid the current adoption fees; or
               
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               (3)
               
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               Transferred to an approved foster. If the animal services center places an animal
               in foster care, the animal services center may, in writing, appoint the person or
               organization possessing the animal to be an agent of the center. After the expiration
               of the minimum holding period, the department may (i) direct the agent possessing
               the animal to return it to the center, (ii) allow the agent to adopt the animal consistent
               with the department's adoption policies, or (iii) extend the period of time that the
               agent holds the animal on behalf of the department. The animal services department
               may terminate an agency created under this subsection at any time by directing the
               agent to deliver the animal to the center. The animal services department, as principal
               in the agency relationship, shall not be liable to reimburse the agent for the costs
               of care of the animal and shall not be liable to the owner of the animal for harm
               to the animal caused by the agent, absent a written contract providing otherwise.
               
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               (4)
               
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               Euthanized in a humane manner after the five-day impoundment period, space permitting
               and barring extenuating circumstances pursuant to G.S. 19A-32.1(b)(2).
               
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               (b)
               
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               No animal which has been impounded by reason of its being a stray, unclaimed by its
               owner, shall be allowed to be adopted from the animal services center during a period
               of emergency rabies quarantine invoked pursuant to article II of this chapter, except
               by special authorization of the county health director.
               
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               (c)
               
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               <span class="ital">Adoption contract.</span> Any eligible individual adopting a dog or cat from the animal services center shall
               be required to sign an adoption contract with the animal services center which states
               that the applicant accepts all ownership responsibilities and liabilities associated
               with the adoption. Spay and neuter will be mandatory for all animals adopted from
               the animal services center.
               
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               Any eligible rescue or approved foster accepting an animal from the animal services
               center shall complete the required transfer contract.
               
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               (d)
               
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               <span class="ital">Exceptions from adoption policy.</span>
               
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               (1)
               
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               Animal services may refuse adoption of animal to a person less than 18 years of age.
               
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               (2)
               
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               Persons who have previously been cited under this chapter.
               
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               (3)
               
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               Person or household that has adopted three animals in a calendar year.
               
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               (4)
               
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               Animals that exhibit non-person aggressive behavior will be deemed adoptable with
               full disclosures made to rescues and potential adopters of the aggression type (i.e.,
               food, territory, small prey, etc.).
               
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               (e)
               
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               Animals that exhibit fierce, dangerous, or person-aggressive behavior shall not be
               offered for adoption.
               
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               (f)
               
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               Any animal officially surrendered by the owner to animal services may be placed for
               adoption as authorized in this section. No animal will be euthanized prior to the
               state mandated three-day impoundment period or the county's five-day impoundment period
               if space is available in the animal services center, barring extenuating circumstances
               as deemed by the animal services director pursuant to G.S. 19A-32.1(b)(2).
               
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               (g)
               
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               Any animal impounded that is gravely injured or seriously ill and has no identification
               can be euthanized in a humane manner pursuant to G.S. 19A-32.1(b)(2). If the animal
               has identification, an animal services employee shall attempt to notify the owner
               before euthanizing; but if the owner cannot be reached readily and the animal is enduring
               prolonged, unnecessary suffering, the animal services enforcement officer certified
               to euthanize or the animal services employee certified to euthanize may euthanize
               the animal in a humane manner.
               
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            <p class="historynote0">
               (Ord. No.
               <a class="ordinance-link" href="" data-product-id="14529" data-ordinance-id="1036807">
                  2020-04
                  </a>
               , 8-18-2020)
               
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