Jefferson County, Missouri

Section 215.040 Definitions.

The following terms whenever referred to in this Chapter shall have the following respective meanings unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

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BREEDER

Any person who maintains unsterilized dog(s) and/or cat(s) for the purpose of breeding with the intent to cause the whelping of, sale of or transfer of ownership of the same.

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KENNEL

Any person, group of persons or corporations engaged in breeding, buying, selling, sheltering or boarding of domestic dogs or cats, whether for pleasure or profit, or the premises where such breeding, buying, selling, sheltering or boarding takes place.

Section 215.140 County Kennel Licenses — Adequate Care and Control of Kenneled Animals Required.

A. Prior to initiating operations, the operator of a kennel shall register with the Animal Control Division and procure a County Kennel License. A County Kennel License shall be required annually of any boarding or breeding operations. The Animal Control Division shall charge a fee to cover the cost of regulating kennel operations as follows:

1. Up to five (5) animals: twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

2. Six (6) to fifteen (15) animals: fifty dollars ($50.00).

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Section 215.250 Disposition of Animals — Procedure and Fees For Licensed and Unlicensed Animals.

D. After a seven (7) day redemption period for stray animals and ten (10) days for owned animals, the animal may be disposed of by any method provided by this Chapter which includes:

1. Adoption. Release of the animal to any person desiring to adopt an animal, provided that the person adopting an animal complies with all of the requirements of this Chapter for the adoption of an animal, including the payment of a twenty dollar ($20.00) adoption fee, plus contractual veterinary service fees associated with the adoption. Any person adopting or redeeming an animal must comply with the terms of the adoption contract, meet the spay/neuter and rabies vaccination requirements imposed by State law, the Animal Care Facilities Act, and this Chapter, and meet any veterinary medical appointments associated with the adoption of the animal and scheduled through the Animal Control Division. Failure to comply with the terms of the adoption contract constitutes a violation of this Chapter.

Section 215.270 Requirement To Spay or Neuter and Microchip For The Release of All Animals.

No animal impounded for any reason in the Animal Control Center shall be released until the animal is microchipped for identification. If the animal has not been microchipped, the person wanting to redeem or adopt the animal shall pay in advance a fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) to have the animal microchipped. No animal shall be released to any person who refuses to pay the fee in advance. No animal over three (3) months of age shall be adopted until the animal has been spayed or neutered and the cost of said spay or neuter is paid as part of the adoption fee in advance of the adoption.

Section 215.280 Process to Redeem Animals Impounded by the Animal Control Division.

C. The second time an animal is impounded, the owner will be contacted to pick up their animal. The animal will not be released until all fees are paid as set out herein. Additionally, if the owner cannot provide proof that the animal has been spayed or neutered, the animal shall be spayed or neutered and the owner shall pay an additional fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for the cost of such service. Additionally, if the animal is not currently licensed and vaccinated against rabies, then the animal shall be vaccinated and licensed, and the owner shall pay the cost of such vaccination and licensing in advance.