Gilchrist County, Florida

Sec. 14-92. – Adoption and redemption of animals.

(c) All dogs and cats placed for adoption shall be vaccinated, and sterilized or a deposit guaranteeing sterilization, as required by F.S. § 823.15, shall be collected from the adopter in an amount as determined by the division prior to release of the animal to an adopting party.

(d) To be eligible for the return of the required adoption deposit for any dog or cat from the division, the person adopting the animal must enter into an agreement with the division guaranteeing that sterilization will be performed within 30 days or prior to sexual maturity. The deposit shall be refunded upon presentation to the division of written evidence by the veterinarian performing the sterilization that the animal has been sterilized. The amount of the deposit may be based upon recommended guidelines established by the Florida Federation of Humane Societies, or as otherwise determined to be a sufficient deposit to guarantee sterilization. Upon the request of a licensed veterinarian, and for a valid reason, the division shall extend the time limit within which the animal must be sterilized. Failure to comply with these requirements by the prospective adopter within the time-frame specified will in any event result in forfeiture of the deposit.

(e) An animal welfare organization may adopt domestic animals without charge. The organization must sterilize and vaccinate the animal for rabies prior to readopting the animal to another owner, and shall provide, at a minimum, animal services with the following information:

(1) The name, location address, and phone number of the adopter;

(2) The date of sterilization and name and address of veterinarian;