A. If the person owning, keeping or harboring a dog/cat which has been impounded notifies the Animal Control Officer in writing within seven days of his claim to such dog/cat, the Animal Control Officer shall permit such person to redeem the dog/cat by paying to the Township Assessor any license fee due for the current year. In addition, any dog or cat will not be released without either proof of current rabies vaccination or presentation by the animal owner of a receipt showing prepayment of a veterinarian’s charges for such vaccination. A dog or cat not previously vaccinated must be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours after such release, and the owner shall supply proof of same to the animal control agency within 72 hours after the release. Failure of the animal owner to obtain such vaccination after such release shall constitute a breach of the release agreement and entitle the animal control agency to regain possession of the animal.

B. An owner redeeming an impounded dog or cat shall pay to the County or its agent a redemption fee of $25.00 plus $10.00 for each additional day before such animal is released to such owner by the County Animal Control Agency. Such redemption fee shall increase by an additional $25.00 per impoundment for each subsequent time within a three-month period that the same or any other animal belonging to the same owner may be impounded. The County Animal Control Agency shall collect all such redemption fees for the County and shall account to the County and pay over all such fees to the County Auditor at the end of each month.

C. Unlicensed dogs/cats may be redeemed by anyone paying the Animal Control Agency an adoption fee in the amount of $50.00 in addition to any veterinary costs for said animal during said animal’s stay at the shelter, and by furnishing a copy of a “paid” receipt from a licensed veterinarian showing that the animal will be spayed/neutered within 30 days of the date of the release from the dog/cat shelter, or in the case the dog/cat is less than six months old. No dog/cat may be redeemed for sale to or use by any individual or laboratory engaged in testing, research, or experimentation involving animals.

D. Licensed dogs/cats shall not be redeemed by other than the owner until the expiration of 14 days unless subsection (F) of this section applies.

E. A dog/cat which appears to be suffering from rabies or affected with hydrophobia, mange or other infectious disease shall not be released, but shall be humanely euthanized.

F. All dogs/cats impounded under this chapter and not registered, licensed, tagged, and redeemed shall be disposed of in a humane manner after the expiration of the following time periods:

G. Provided, however, that if the dog/cat appears to be suffering from mange or other infectious or contagious disease, except rabies, it may be disposed of immediately upon impoundment. Any animal destroyed which is believed to be suffering from mange or other infectious disease shall be forthwith reported by the Animal Control Officer to the County Board of Health, unless otherwise provided by Indiana law. All animals believed to be suffering from rabies shall be handled in the manner specified in JCC 6.05.090.

H. Any group or agency who wishes to foster animals from the Jasper County Animal Shelter must first be approved by the Animal Control Board. Approval forms must be submitted to the Board each year for approval. Once approved, there will be a list posted at the shelter with the name of a contact person and the agency they represent. The Jasper County Animal Shelter will record the information about the animal and date the agency takes possession of the animal. After this date, Jasper County Animal Shelter or any of its employees will not be responsible for the animal. Once the animal has been fostered out, it may not be returned to the shelter. The shelter will not be responsible for notifying any agency about animals in the shelter but will provide fostering agencies with information if they call. Foster homes and agencies will reimburse the shelter for expenses invested in worming and immunization for the animals taken into their care. [Ord. 9-3-19C § 1; Ord. 6-5-17B § 1; Ord. 6-1-15A; Ord. 12-1-03D § 1; Ord. 1-2-01 § 3; Ord. 7-6-99B; Ord. 12-1-97D § 1; Code 1988 § 74.06.]