Escambia County, Florida

Sec. 10-13. – Disposition of animals.

(c) Failure to claim. In the event the owner of any animal impounded under any section of this chapter fails to reclaim it within the appropriate period the animal control officer may make such disposition of the animal as is in the public interest.

(1) It is lawful for the animal control officer to release suitable, unclaimed animals to new owners on payment of required fees and provided that any animal, so released, is vaccinated and licensed as required by section 10-8. New owners shall enter into a written agreement with the county animal shelter guaranteeing that the animal will be sterilized within 30 days of the release to the new owner or upon the animal’s sexual maturity.

(2) In the event an owner of an unaltered animal impounded for the third time (recurring impoundment) wishes to reclaim it within the appropriate time, animal control shall require the owner to spay or neuter such animal as a condition of reclaiming it, unless a veterinarian certifies to animal control that the animal should not be spayed or neutered due to the health or a condition of the animal.