Madera, California

§ 5-1.04 LICENSE REQUIRED.

Every owner of any dog over the age of four months in the city shall procure a license therefor from the authorized agent of the city. The license shall be transferable with transfer of ownership of the dog. The owner of any dog entering the city shall obtain a license within 30 days after the date of entry. Such dogs shall also be vaccinated as required by this chapter, or the owner shall present a proper certificate of such vaccination. In accordance with Section 1-201 of the Madera Municipal Code, any second or subsequent violations of this section within a period of 18 months of a prior conviction of this offense shall be a misdemeanor.

§ 5-1.07 LICENSE FEES.

Fees for dog licenses shall be as set by resolution of the Council and subject to revision as needed.

Before a city dog license may be issued for the lower annual license fee for a dog which has been spayed or neutered, the owner or custodian of such dog shall provide evidence that the dog has been spayed or neutered. Such evidence shall be a certificate signed by a doctor of veterinary medicine, on his or her letterhead stationary or on a form provided by the city for such purpose, or by the sworn statement of the owner or custodian on a form provided by the city. Any such form or certificate shall state the name of the clinic where such operation was performed, the street address of such doctor of veterinary medicine or clinic, the telephone number thereof, if available, the precise or approximate date when the operation was performed, and a sufficient description of the dog, inclusive of age and name of the animal.

§ 5-1.09 KENNEL LICENSE; FEES.

Every person who regularly engages in the breeding of and selling of dogs and/or cats, or who breeds and sells dogs and/or cats more than once a year, or other animals, will be considered to be engaged in the business of being a kennel or other commercial business. Such persons shall be subject to all related fee, permit, license and inspection requirements.

(A)   All kennels or other animal facilities shall be so constructed as to prevent the animals confined therein from running at large off the premises where said kennels are maintained. All kennels shall be operated and constructed in a sanitary and proper manner so that the same will not become a nuisance to the neighborhood thereof.

(B)   No kennel license shall be issued until an inspection has been completed and a certificate is issued stating that the kennel is constructed and operated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the appropriate building and health inspection permits were obtained for construction of said kennel or animal facility.

§ 5-1.10 KENNEL PERMIT OR COMMERCIAL ANIMAL STRUCTURE; INSPECTIONS.

Before a kennel license or other animal related commercial permit is issued, a permit therefor shall be obtained from the Health Officer. All kennels or other animal structures shall be so constructed as to prevent dogs or other animals confined therein from running at large where such kennel or commercial animal structure is maintained. The kennel or other commercial animal structure shall be operated and constructed in a sanitary and proper manner so that such kennel or other commercial animal structure shall not become a nuisance to the neighborhood thereof. The operation of all kennels or other commercial animal structures licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to reasonable regulations of the Health Officer, and annual inspections by the Animal Control Officer or designee and it shall be unlawful for any person holding a license for such kennel or other commercial animal structure to maintain or operate such kennel or other commercial animal structure in violation of the regulations therefor issued by the Health Officer. Any kennel not passing inspection by the Animal Control Officer or designee shall be subject to a re-inspection. In accordance with § 1-201 of this Code, any second or subsequent violation of this section within a period of 18 months of a prior conviction of this offense shall be a misdemeanor. The fee therefor shall be as set by resolution of the City Council and subject to revision as needed.

§ 5-1.14 SALE OF IMPOUNDED DOGS.

When any dog or other animal is sold by the designated animal shelter or Animal Control Officer as provided in this chapter, it shall be his or her duty to deliver to the purchaser of such animal a statement in writing, which shall contain a description of the animal sold, the date of the sale, and the amount of the purchase price. Before a dog or cat is released to the purchaser, he or she shall sign an agreement, as approved by the City Attorney, to have said dog or cat vaccinated and spayed or neutered, and licensed within 30 days of the release unless said dog or cat is medically unable to be vaccinated and spayed or neutered. The Animal Control Officer or designee shall retain a duplicate of all statements issued by him or her in connection with the sale. All sales made pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall convey a good and valid title to the purchaser, and the previous owner of the animal so sold shall thereafter be barred from all rights to recover the same; provided, however, if such original owner appears within three months after the date of such sale and proves to the satisfaction of the Animal Control Officer or designee that he or she was the owner of such animal, and makes a verified claim therefor to the Council, he or she shall be reimbursed for any sum which shall have been realized from the sale of the animal, less such redemption fees as he or she would have been required to pay had he or she redeemed the animal on the date of such sale, less the further administrative fees as set by resolution of the Council and subject to revision as needed.