Valencia County, New Mexico

§ 90.032 DISPOSITION OF ANIMALS IMPOUNDED.

(A)   All impounded animals shall be redeemed within 3 working days after impoundment. Any animal not redeemed within the required period shall become the property of Valencia County and may be placed for adoption or the animal will be humanely destroyed. Any dog or cat to be placed for adoption that is under 6 months of age shall be released only upon payment of the adoption fee, the sterilization deposit, and after adopting person has signed an agreement stating that the adopted animal will be sterilized when no more than 6 months of age.

(B)   Any dog or cat to be placed for adoption that is over 6 months of age shall be released only upon payment of the adoption fee, the sterilization deposit, and after the adopting person has signed an agreement stating that the adopted animal will be sterilized within 30 days of the date of adoption.

(C)   The sterilization deposit shall be reimbursed only upon presentation of a receipt from a veterinarian stating that the adopted animal has been sterilized.

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(E)   An intact animal reclaimed by its owner shall be released without sterilization upon payment of all impoundment fees, the sterilization deposit and the owner shall sign an agreement to have the dog or cat sterilized within 30 days of release or to obtain an intact animal permit. An animal impounded 3 times or more shall be sterilized prior to release at the owner’s expense.

§ 90.033 FEES.

(F)   Sterilization fee or deposit. If not available, the state regulation for a minimum deposit shall apply. A sterilization fee shall be paid prior to the release of an animal impounded for the third time or more.

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(J)   Intact animal permits. Intact animal permits shall be issued to persons wishing to maintain an unsterilized animal reclaimed by its owner from the animal control shelter. Permit shall be revoked if animal is picked up a second time within the year.

(K)   Litter fee.

(1)   Any person who breeds, or allows dogs and/or cats to breed, who does not have a current permitted premises permit shall pay a litter fee for each litter of dogs and for each litter of cats.

(2)   Fee shall be refunded if owner provides to animal control proof of sterilization of mother within 3 months of litter birth.