Chicago, Illinois

7-12-065 Redemption of dogs and cats.

(a)   Except as provided elsewhere in this section, any dog or cat impounded under Sections 7-12-040(a), 7-12-080, or 7-12-290 shall, prior to the animal’s return to its owner:

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(3)   if the dog or cat is capable of reproduction, be sterilized.

(b)   An owner may receive the animal without compliance with subsection (a)(1) or (3) if:

(1)   The Executive Director determines that microchipping and/or sterilization would endanger the life or health of the animal, or

(2)   The owner contests microchipping and/or sterilization within the stray hold period set forth in Section 7-12-060 by filing a written request for a hearing.

(c)   An owner who redeems an animal pursuant to subsection (b)(1) shall, within thirty days of redeeming the animal, provide the Department with either:

(1)   proof that the owner had the animal microchipped and/or sterilized; or

(2)   a veterinarian’s certificate stating that the animal cannot be sterilized without endangering the life or health of the animal.

(d)   If the owner requests a hearing pursuant to subsection (b)(2), the Department of Administrative Hearings shall appoint an administrative law officer, who shall hold a hearing, at which all interested parties may present testimony and any other relevant evidence, within 15 days of the request. If the administrative law officer upholds the Executive Director’s determination that the cat or dog is subject to the requirements of subsection (a), then the owner shall complete the ordered procedures and provide the Department with the documentation required in subsection (c) within thirty-five days after the administrative law officer’s order. If the owner appeals to the circuit court during that time period, the order to sterilize and implant a microchip in the animal shall be stayed until resolution of such appeal.

7-12-110 Transfer of City-owned animals.

(b)   Any City-owned dog or cat, as necessary, shall be sterilized, vaccinated, and microchipped prior to transfer for adoption.

(c)   The Executive Director shall promulgate rules regarding qualifications for adoptive owners, foster homes, and humane societies to receive animals transferred by the Department, including inoculation and enforcement of neutering and spaying requirements for all dogs and cats.

7-12-115 Rabies and distemper vaccinations; spay/neuter clinics.

(a)   The Department and the Executive Director may establish and maintain one or more clinics for the administration of rabies and distemper vaccinations to, the sterilization of, and the implantation of microchips in cats and dogs owned by city residents.

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(c)   The Department shall impose and collect the following fees for the services specified:

(1)   Sterilization surgery…..$25.00

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The Department may, no more than five days per month, waive the sterilization surgery fee for residents in those areas having the highest stray populations. Residents are eligible for the fee waiver only if they present proof of residence within the designated area. The Department shall annually promulgate rules setting forth the areas with the highest stray populations.

7-12-140 License required.

(a)   It is the duty of the owner of each dog four months of age or older to obtain from the city a dog license for the privilege of owning such dog, unless such dog shall be temporarily within the possession of a veterinary hospital, pet shop, animal care facility, or humane society. The owner of each dog required to hold a license hereunder shall, when the dog is on the public way, either: (i) ensure the license is visible and securely attached to a collar, harness or similar device worn by the dog, or (ii) upon request by an authorized city official, make available the license for inspection. The license fee for each dog license shall be as set forth in Section 7-12-170.

7-12-170 License fees.

(a)   A dog license may be issued for either a one-year or three-year period as limited by subsection (e) of this section. The fee shall be paid at the time of the issuance of the license and shall be as follows:

except that owners 65 years of age or older shall be charged as follows: