Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Sec. 6-34. – Impoundment of animals running at-large; fees; disposition if unclaimed by owner.

Any animal found within the city running at-large, not tied or led by a line or leash, contrary to the provisions of this article, shall be taken up and impounded in a suitable place, as designated by the city. The animal shall be held for five days and will be micro-chipped for identification prior to final release. The animal may be claimed at any time by the owner by paying the cost of micro-chipping and the cost of impounding and feeding the animal. If the owner, or some person for him, does not claim the animal within the five days after it is impounded, ownership of the animal shall transfer to the impoundment facility and the animal may be placed for adoption or euthanized. If any animal is impounded more than once due to violations of this chapter, such animal will not be finally released from the second impoundment unless the animal has been spayed or neutered. If the owner cannot provide written confirmation by a licensed veterinarian that the animal has been previously spayed or neutered, the impoundment facility will have a licensed veterinarian conduct the sterilization procedure on the animal before relinquishing custody of the animal. The owner of the animal shall be required to pay the costs of the sterilization of the animal prior to the animal’s release.

Sec. 6-72. – Sterilization of certain adopted and purchased cats and dogs.

(a) Provisions shall be made for the sterilization of all dogs and cats sold or released for adoption or purchase from any public or private animal shelter or animal control agency operated by a humane society, or by a county or city, or other political subdivision. Such provisions may be made by:

(1) Providing for sterilization by a licensed veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the animal; or

(2) Entering into a written agreement with the adopter or purchaser guaranteeing that sterilization will be performed by a licensed veterinarian, in compliance with a sterilization agreement which shall contain the following information:

a. The date of the agreement;

b. The name, address, and signature of the releasing agency to the adopter;

c. A description of the animal to be adopted;

d. A statement printed in conspicuous bold print that sterilization of the animal is required pursuant to this section and sections 6-71 and 6-73;

e. A sterilization completion date which shall be either:

1. The 30th day after the date of adoption in the case of an adult animal;

2. The 30th day after a specified date estimated to be the date an adopted infant female puppy or male or kitten becomes six months of age; or

3. If the releasing agency has a written policy recommending sterilization of certain infant animals at an earlier date, the 30th day after the date contained in the written policy.

(b) An adopter that signs a sterilization agreement shall have the adopted animal sterilized on or before the sterilization date stated in the agreement. If the sterilization completion date stated in the agreement falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline may be extended to the first day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. The releasing agency may extend the deadline for 30 days on the presentation of a letter or telephone report from a licensed veterinarian stating that the life or health of the adopted animal may be jeopardized by sterilization. There shall be no limit to the number of extensions that may be granted for this reason.

Sec. 6-73. – Exceptions to sterilization requirement; costs to be paid by adopter or purchaser.

(a) Each releasing agency shall agree to give title, possession, and control of the animal so long as the adopter complies with the terms and conditions of the adoption agreement.

(b) The releasing agency shall consider the animal sterilized upon receipt of written confirmation signed by the licensed veterinarian who performed the sterilization.

(c) The sterilization requirements of sections 6-71, 6-72, and this section shall not apply to a dog or cat that is claimed from a releasing agency by a person who already owns the animal.

(d) All costs of sterilization pursuant to sections 6-71, 6-72, and this section shall be paid by the prospective adopter or purchaser, unless otherwise provided.