Taos, New Mexico

§ 6.12.080 Disposition of impounded animals.

H. Adoption of companion animals.

For the adoption of any unsterilized dog or cat, the adopter shall pay a sterilization deposit as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code and impoundment fees as established by the animal shelter and sign an agreement to have the animal sterilized by the age of six (6) months or within thirty (30) days, whichever is longer. The deposit shall be reimbursed to the owner only upon delivery of a valid receipt from a veterinarian proving that the specified animal was sterilized within the required time period.

§ 6.16.020 Permits.

C. Intact animal permit.

An intact animal permit issued by the animal control officer is required to keep any dog exempt from being sterilized. The animal thus exempted must be registered with a nationally or internationally recognized animal registry organization. No person shall breed or allow to be bred a dog or cat for which an intact animal permit has been issued unless also accompanied by a hobby breeder permit.

D. Hobby breeder permit.

A hobby breeder permit issued by the animal control officer will be required for controlled breeding of dogs or cats. The hobby breeder permit number must appear in all advertisements regarding the sale of any litter.

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F. Posting of permits; other conditions.

1. This provision shall apply to all relevant permits issued pursuant to this title, including, but not limited to, multiple animal, dangerous dog, and guard dog permits.

2. A permit holder shall notify the animal control officer of any changes in operations which may affect the status of any permit issued pursuant to this title and shall keep the animal control officer informed of all changes in name, location, address, and home and business telephone number of the site and activities covered by the permit.

3. Both the person in charge of a permitted premises and the owner of the permitted premises shall be responsible for complying with this chapter.

4. At each permitted premises, a current record shall be kept which describes all animals owned, purchased or received, and the final disposition of each animal.

5. Permits shall expire one year after the date of issuance of the permit. An application for renewal shall be filed at [with] the animal control officer thirty (30) days before the date of expiration. The fees and application and inspection procedures for permit renewals shall be the same as those for new applications. Failure to renew permits as specified shall result in the expiration of the permit or in the assessment of a five percent (5%) late fee.

G. Permit approval.

Within ten (10) business days of receipt of an application for a permit, the animal control officer shall inspect the premises to determine whether it complies with the standards established in this chapter. The applicant shall be notified in writing by the animal control officer of a denial of the permit application.

H. Appeals.

A written request for the appeal of any permit decision must be filed with the chief of police within five (5) days of the animal control officer’s decision.

I. Permit expiration; renewal.

No permit except a guard dog permit is transferable from one person or place to another person or place. A guard dog permit may be transferred to a new location operated by the same person during the permit year, provided that advance notice of at least five (5) working days shall be given to the animal control office for each transfer of a guard dog permit. Permit transfers shall not be effective until the animal control officer has inspected and approved the facilities at the new location and recorded the information required on the permit application.

§ 6.20.120 Sale and display of animals.

B. Companion animals.

An owner who breeds more than four (4) litters a year of companion animals and does not have a current hobby breeder’s permit shall purchase a valid hobby breeder’s permit prior to the sale and display of animals.