§ 4-33. Unsterilized dogs and cats impound fee.

(a)

An unsterilized dog or cat impound fee in an amount set by resolution of the Commission shall be imposed on the owner of every reclaimed impounded, unsterilized dog or cat at the time the unsterilized dog or cat is reclaimed from the Division. Payment of the unsterilized dog or cat impound fee shall be waived if the owner has the dog or cat sterilized by a licensed veterinarian and presents proof of such sterilization to the Division within thirty (30) calendar days after reclaiming the dog or cat.

(b)

If the dog or cat owner does not have the dog or cat sterilized, or does not present proof of sterilization, within the thirty (30) calendar day period, the unsterilized dog or cat impound fee shall become due and payable at that time. If the dog or cat is sterilized and the owner does not present proof of such sterilization to the Division within the thirty (30) calendar days allotted for presenting proof of sterilization, the owner remains liable for the unsterilized dog or cat impound fee. Payment of the unsterilized dog or cat impound fee shall be made by the owner within thirty (30) calendar days after the date the fee becomes due and payable. Any person who fails to pay the unsterilized dog or cat impound fee is subject to a civil action by Broward County to collect the fee. The Division shall deposit all such collected unsterilized dog or cat impound fees into the Animal Care Sterilization Trust Fund to be used for sterilization programs and other necessary expenditures, as determined by the Director.

(c)

Any unsterilized dog or cat that is impounded on more than one (1) occasion shall be sterilized by the Broward County veterinarian at the owner's expense at a fee set by resolution of the Commission. Such sterilizations shall be performed based upon the health, age, and general condition of the dog or cat.

(Ord. No. 1998-41, § 14, 11-10-98; Ord. No. 2013-10, § 1, 2-12-13; Ord. No. 2015-37 , § 1, 9-10-15)