§ 10-143. Adoption of impounded animals.

(a)

The city manager or designee shall cooperate with the Atlanta Humane Society and any other approved organization by offering for adoption or placement cats and/or dogs not claimed by the person having the right of possession or any cat and/or dog that may be designated as a stray.

(b)

Organizations with a continuing interest in adopting animals from the animal control shelter must register with the city manager or designee on the forms provided and be designated as an approved adoption organization.

(c)

All animals housed at the animal control shelter shall be under the authority of the city manager or designee. No animal will be released for adoption or placement prior to the holding period required by section 10-142(c) and with the written approval of the city manager or designee.

(d)

The city manager or designee may confer ownership (permit adoption) of any animal which has become the property of the animal control shelter to an approved organization, subject to conditions prescribed by the city manager or designee, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1)

Payment of any vaccination, licensing, or veterinary costs shall be the responsibility of the receiving organization;

(2)

Evidence satisfactory to the city manager or designee that the animal has been, or will be, examined by a veterinarian and vaccinations against rabies and other diseases administered; and

(3)

Evidence satisfactory to the city manager or designee that the animal has been, or will be, neutered or spayed.

(e)

The Atlanta Humane Society will have the right of first refusal on adoptable animals at the animal control shelter. Other approved organizations interested in the adoption of a cat and/or dog may call the animal control shelter on Monday and Thursday morning to question the availability of adoptable animals. The city manager or designee may also contact an approved organization if an animal is available for adoption. No animal shall be held more than 24 hours past the time of notification.

(f)

The city manager or designee shall be held harmless and free from liability for any animal adopted to or placed with an approved adoption organization.

(Ord. No. 2006-02-09, ch. 5, art. 3, § 3, 2-7-2006)