§ 462.608. Sterilization.

Except as otherwise provided in this Part, all dogs and cats redeemed or adopted from ACPS shall be sterilized by a veterinarian before redemption or adoption, except when a veterinarian determines that sterilization would endanger the animal's health due to its age, infirmity, disability or illness. In such case, the owner or adopter shall sign a written agreement that sterilization shall be performed as soon as health permits, and in the case of kittens and puppies, by eight weeks of age. In addition, if, at the discretion of ACPS, the owner or adopter chooses to have another veterinarian perform the sterilization, he or she shall pay a deposit in the amount of $500 to ACPS as a condition of the agreement to sterilize, which deposit shall be refundable upon presenting to ACPS signed, written verification on letterhead with the veterinarian's license number noted by the veterinarian who performed the sterilization that the animal has been sterilized within 30 days of redemption or adoption. If the owner cannot afford the deposit and can make arrangements for the immediate sterilization of the pet through a veterinarian of their choice within Duval County, ACPS will transport or may arrange transportation for the animal directly to the veterinary clinic where it will remain until it is sterilized. Deposits shall be forfeited on the thirty-first day if proper verification of sterilization or a confirmable appointment for sterilization is not provided, or ten days following the scheduled appointment if proof of sterilization is not provided, and the funds shall be deposited in the Spay Neuter Trust Fund to be used for sterilization of pets.

Animal owners that have a current City license and permanent identification in the form of a registered microchip ID (RFID) or attached City license tag, shall be exempt from the above provision regarding sterilization for the first impound of the animal provided the identification is accurate to allow ACPS to identify its owner. Other valid permanent identification may also be used provided ACPS can easily identify the owner and a current City license is on file with the owner's information. Determination of the first impound shall be based upon the available records of ACPS. In addition to the one-time exemption provided at no additional charge, an owner can request the release of the animal one additional time upon payment of a fee of $500, to be deposited in the Spay and Neuter Trust Fund; however, any future impound/intake of the same animal shall result in sterilization before reclaim.

For the purposes of controlling pet overpopulation and ensuring all animals redeemed or adopted from ACPS are sterilized in an expeditious manner, the City of Jacksonville shall be considered the legal owner of: all stray dogs that remain in the shelter three days after intake/impound (i.e. on the fourth day sterilization may take place) unless positive, traceable ownership may be indicated by a registered microchip, city tag or private id tag; and, all stray cats upon intake/impound unless positive, traceable ownership may be indicated by a registered microchip, city tag, other form of traceable permanent identification, or private identification tag. ACPS is hereby authorized to perform sterilization procedures on any animal anytime after it becomes City property. Such ownership provisions shall not affect the holding periods established in section 462.601.

(Ord. 2004-259-E, § 1; Ord. 2010-527-E, § 7)

Editor's note

Ordinance 2007-839-E, § 18, authorized updated department/division names pursuant to reorganization.