Columbia County, Georgia

Sec. 14-16. – Adoption.

(a) The Animal Services Department or its designee may offer any animal for adoption that has not been reclaimed by its owner within five days after the impoundment of such animal, or shall immediately offer such animal for adoption if the animal is voluntarily surrendered to the Animal Services Department by its owner. All persons adopting animals shall be over 18 years of age, and shall provide proper and humane care, feeding, shelter and protection from the weather, and veterinary treatment as required. It is further required by this chapter that the animal be sterilized as provided for in this chapter 14, article III. Any person adopting an animal shall not use the animal for breeding, exhibition or profit, and shall not engage in any research involving the use of the animal or supply the animal to any individual or institution which may use the animal in research. The frequency with which animals may be adopted and placed in any household may be restricted in the discretion of the Animal Services Department manager.

(b) Adoptions fees may be set by the board of commissioners from time to time and shall be set forth in the schedule of fees and charges on file in the office of the county clerk. In addition, the board of commissioners may require that all or part of the costs of examination, rabies inoculation, neutering or spaying be paid by the adopting party.

ARTICLE III. – STERILIZATION

Sec. 14-101. – Policy.

The provisions for this article are adopted by reference from O.C.G.A. 4-14-1 et seq. Sterilization of dogs and cats in shelters, as well as county ordinance 14-16 Adoption.

Sec. 14-102. – Provisions required; responsibility for costs; proof.

(a) The Animal Services department shall make provisions for the sterilization of all dogs or cats acquired from such shelter by:

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

(2) Entering into a written agreement with the person acquiring such animal guaranteeing that sterilization will be performed by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days after acquisition of such animal in the case of an adult animal, or within 30 days of the sexual maturity of the animal in the case of an immature animal; provided, however, that the requirements of this section shall not apply to any privately owned animal which the shelter, may have in its possession for any reason if the owner of such animal claims or presents evidence that such animal is the property of such person.

(b) All costs of sterilization pursuant to this section shall be the responsibility of the person acquiring such animal, and, if performed prior to acquisition, may be included in any fees charged by the shelter

(c) Any person acquiring an animal from the Animal Services department, which animal is not sterile at the time of acquisition, shall submit to the such department a signed statement from the licensed veterinarian performing the sterilization required by subsection (a)(2) of this section within seven days after such sterilization attesting that such sterilization has been performed.

(d) The Animal Services department operated by a political subdivision of this county shall maintain and furnish to any person acquiring an animal from the shelter, a current list of veterinarians licensed in the state with offices in the county who have notified the shelter, that they are willing to perform sterilizations.

Sec. 14-103. – Violation; penalty.

It shall be a misdemeanor to fail or refuse to comply with the requirements of this article, and any person convicted of such misdemeanor shall be subject to penalties and costs as set forth in section 1-9. Officials from the animal shelter shall have the authority to issue citations for failure to comply with this article.