Allen Park, Michigan

Sec. 6-162. – Alteration agreement required.

An animal control shelter or animal protection shelter shall not permit a person to adopt a dog, cat or ferret that has not be altered unless that person has entered into an animal adoption contract with the shelter for the alteration of the animal.

Sec. 6-163. – Alteration of the animal.

The animal adopted shall be altered as follows:

(1) If the animal being adopted is six months of age or older, the person shall have the animal altered within four weeks after the adoption date.

(2) If the animal being adopted is under six months of age, the person shall have the animal altered within four weeks after the animal obtains the age of six months.

(3) If a veterinarian shall certify in writing that alteration poses a serious, temporary medical or health problem, the alteration may be postponed. However, the animal shall be reevaluated by the veterinarian at intervals not to exceed 14 days and shall have the alteration performed no later than seven days after a veterinarian determines that the temporary problem no longer exists.

(4) If a veterinarian shall certify in writing that the animal has a serious, permanent medical or health problem that prevents an alteration, the person shall not be required to have the animal altered.

Sec. 6-164. – Good faith deposit—Alteration schedule.

The person adopting the animal shall leave with the animal control shelter or animal protection shelter a good faith deposit of $30.00 to indicate that the person will comply with the alteration schedule in section 6-163. Should the person fail to comply with the alteration schedule, the deposit shall automatically be forfeited and used pursuant to section 6-167. The deposit shall be returned to the person who posted it if, upon certification from a veterinarian, that the dog, cat or ferret:

(1) Has been altered;

(2) Died within the time period in which the required alteration was required to be performed; or

(3) Has a serious, permanent medical or health problem that prevents an alteration.

Sec. 6-166. – Certificate of veterinarian.

The certificate issued by a veterinarian pursuant to section 6-163 shall include all of the following information:

(1) Date of alteration;

(2) The name and address of the owner or custodian of the animal;

(3) A description of the animal;

(4) The signature of the veterinarian who performed the alteration; and

(5) The name and address of the veterinarian who performed the alteration.

Sec. 6-167. – Use of forfeited deposit.

Money forfeited under section 6-164 shall be used by the animal control shelter or animal protection shelter to finance alterations, for public education regarding the value of having dogs, cats and ferrets altered, or to otherwise ensure compliance with this section.