§ 5-31. Harboring stray animals.

It shall be a violation of this section for any person to harbor a stray animal except under the following circumstances:

(1)

Persons who harbor any stray dog or cat shall be required to notify the animal control agency of the presence of the stray dog or cat, including a description of the animal, and information that will assist the animal control agency and/or animal owners in locating missing pets. The animal control agency may request the surrender of a stray animal within ten days in the event an owner is identified; or

(2)

Accepted state registered non-profit organizations who request to harbor stray cats or dogs on private property with a documented and accepted spay/neuter/release program, if approved by the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society or the board of county commissioners and with the written consent of the owner of the private property. An application shall be made available from the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society's office indicating the review standards for requests to harbor animals. Should an organization not receive the approval of the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society, the state registered non-profit organization may provide the same information to the board of county commissioners during a regularly scheduled meeting, during scheduled presentations, and request the board of county commissioners to approve their spay/neuter/release program. The determination of the board of county commissioners shall be final. The approval of any spay/neuter/release program may be withdrawn by the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society or the board of county commissioners at any time upon a showing that the organization is failing to fulfill the requirements of the program, or upon a showing that the program is adverse to the public health, safety or welfare.

(Ord. No. 92-25, § 11, 11-3-92; Ord. No. 01-24, § 1, 8-7-01)