SBACC Special Committee Meeting Minutes and final document (2)

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agencies shall undertake reasonable efforts to notify the owner or caretaker of the whereabouts of the animal and any procedures available for the lawful recovery of the animal. These efforts shall include, but are not limited to, notifying the possible owner by telephone, mail, and personal service to the last known address. Upon the owner’s or caretaker’s initiation of recovery procedures, the agencies shall retain custody of the animal for 5 business days to allow for completion of the recovery process. All other animals shall be kept at said shelter or place designated by said shelter for a period of not less than three (3) business days to afford owners the opportunity to claim the animal. After such period of time, unclaimed animals shall be placed in a suitable home, retained at the shelter or released to an accepted rescue organization or euthanized. Animals released to the shelter by their owners, or impounded animals not claimed within the legal time become the property of the shelter and disposition may be made in accordance with the criteria outline in this chapter. SBACC shall not ban, bar, limit or otherwise obstruct the adoption or transfer of any animal based on breed, breed mix, age, color appearance or size. (5.) To ensure that no savable animal at South Bend Animal Care and Control shall be killed simply because the holding period has expired. Before an animal is killed, all of the following conditions must be met: (a) there are no empty cages, kennels, or other living environments in the appropriate area of the shelter, ; keeping in mind the overall health and wellbeing of the animals in SBACC’s care (b) the animal cannot share a cage or kennel with another animal; (c) a foster home is not available; (d) not-for-profit animal rescue organizations are not willing to accept the animal; (e) the animal is not an ear tipped community cat that has been spayed/neutered and vaccinated as described in Section 5.001 of this chapter or the animal is not a free roaming cat subject to sterilization and release into an accepted program; (f) all mandates, programs and services of the Act have been met; and (g) the director of the agency certifies he or she has no other alternative. (6.)SBACC shall take appropriate action to ensure that all animals are checked for all currently acceptable methods of identification, including microchips, identification tags, and licenses. SBACC shall maintain continuously updated lists of animals reported lost, and match these lost reports with animals reported found and animals in the shelter. If a possible owner is identified, the agencies shall undertake reasonable efforts to notify the owner or caretaker of the whereabouts of the animal and any procedures available for the lawful recovery of the animal. These efforts shall include, but are not limited to, notifying the possible owner by telephone, mail, and personal service to the last known address. Upon the owner’s or caretaker’s initiation of recovery procedures, the agencies shall retain custody of the animal for a reasonable period of time to allow for completion of the recovery process. Efforts to locate or contact an owner or caretaker, and communications with persons claiming to be owners or caretakers, shall be recorded and be made available for public inspection for no less than three years by submitting a detailed Freedom of Information Act request form. (7.)To direct Animal Control Officers proceed upon public and private property within the city of South Bend in accordance with the above criteria, in pursuit of animals believed to be in violation of this chapter. However, this authority does not extend to a privately owned structure or enclosure without the consent of the owner, lessee or other occupant in control of the premises or without other legal process or authority. Any animal pursued under this section may be confiscated and held by the Department of Animal Control according to its rules and regulations. If an animal is confiscated without the knowledge or consent of the owner or occupant of the premises, a notice shall promptly be affixed to said premises in an obvious location, directing the occupant to contact the Department of Animal Control providing the address and telephone number of same on said notice. (8.)To cause to be investigated all reports and complaints that are significant concerning any inhumane treatment or negligent practices pertaining to animals within the city and to submit a written report that includes the disposition of the complaint and condition of the animal to be reviewed by the Animal Control Commission. To cause to be impounded at the Department of Animal Control or suitable places designated by the Department of Animal Control all animals found in conditions adverse to their health and safety.