05-460 Dog Adoption Policy
CITY OF MERIDIAN
RESOLUTION NO.
65-4LoO
BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
BIRD, DONNELL, ROUNTREE, WARDLE
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A DOG ADOPTION POLICY AS PART OF
THE CITY OF MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND
PROCEDURES MANUAL; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on February I, 2005, the City Council of Meridian received a report
from the Police Department regarding the draft Dog Adoption Policy; and
WHEREAS, after receiving said report, the City Council directed that the Dog
Adoption Policy be brought forward in Resolution form as an addition to the Meridian
Police Department Policy and Procedures Manual.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERIDIAN CITY, IDAHO:
Section 1. That the Dog Adoption Policy, a copy of which is attached to this
Resolution and incorporated herein by this reference, is hereby adopted.
Section 2. That the Chief of the Meridian Police Department is hereby
authorized to implement said policy and incorporate it into the Police Policy and
Procedures Manual.
Section 3. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon
its adoption and approval.
Dog Adoption Policy -
MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
CHAPTER IX
SECTION 2
POLICY
DOG ADOPTION
9-2-1
9-2-3
9-2-5
PURPOSE
POLICY
PROCEDURE
9-2-1. PURPOSE: To establish guidelines and procedures for the adoption of dogs
impounded by the City of Meridian that are unclaimed or abandoned.
9-2-2. POLICY: It is the policy ofthis department that dogs impounded by the City of
Meridian will have the alternative of adoption made available as one form of disposal for
those that remain unclaimed after a minimum of five (5) working days, or are abandoned.
It is recognized as a reasonable and responsible action on the part of the City of Meridian
that no dog eligible for adoption will be so adopted unless the dog has been licensed and
vaccinated in accordance with Meridian City Code, and is spayed or neutered (or proof of
such is determined by a qualified veterinarian). Additionally, any dog eligible for
adoption must be evaluated for behavioral compatibility before being adopted.
9-2-3. PROCEDURES:
A.
All dogs eligible for adoption must meet the following guidelines:
I. The dog must have been impounded and placed into the Meridian City Pound
and remained so until after a minimum of five (5) working days, and where no
owner has claimed the dog or where owner information can not be located is
eligible for adoption.
2. All dogs considered for adoption shall undergo a behavioral evaluation by a
qualified/trained evaluator to determine if the dog is reasonably safe to
release. A City of Meridian Animal Control Officer or a competent, trained
volunteer as determined by a City of Meridian Animal Control Officer will
conduct the evaluation.
3. All dogs considered for adoption shall be evaluated for any obvious medical
condition that would eliminate it from eligibility for adoption. The City of
Meridian does not guarantee the health of any dog that is adopted.
4. Any dog eligible for adoption may also be released to an animal rescue group
or similar organization.
POLICY MANUAL
Page I of2
CHAPTER 9
MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
B. Spay or Neutering:
I. All dogs will be spayed or neutered, or determined by a qualified veterinarian
to have previously been spayed or neutered, prior to adoption.
2. When a dog is chosen for adoption, arrangements will be made with a local
veterinarian or the Idaho Humane Society to spay or neuter the animal.
3. A Meridian Animal Control Officer will transport the dog to the veterinarian
or Idaho Humane Society.
4. The person adopting the dog will pick it up from the clinic after the
veterinarian releases it. That person shall be responsible for the cost of the
procedure and all other associated costs, including rabies vaccinations and
license fees.
C. Adoption Criteria:
I. A person must be at least 18 years old to adopt a dog.
2. A person who fmds a dog shall have the first opportunity to adopt that dog.
3. Any other adoptions will be on a first come, first serve basis. A list will be
kept of anyone wanting to adopt a specific dog.
4. Prior to adoption, a person must complete a Meridian Adoption Application.
A Meridian Animal Control Officer or a trained pound volunteer will review
the application to determine the suitability ofthe person applying for
adoption.
5. Upon completion ofthe process, and approval for adoption, the person
adopting a dog shall complete and sign a waiver releasing the City of
Meridian from any damages incurred as a result ofthe adoption.
D. Adoption Forms and Records:
I. The Meridian Animal Control Officer or volunteer that releases a dog to
adoption shall ensure that the application, agreement, and waiver
documents are complete, signed and witnessed..
2. The DR number shall be placed on the application and waiver forms.
They will then turned into Records and placed with the original report.
3. A copy ofthe application and waiver forms will be kept in a file
maintained by Meridian Animal Control.
4. The Meridian Animal Control Officers will enter the information into the
Dog Data file.
POLICY MANUAL
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CHAPTER 9