§ 41.1-2-5. County animal shelter; confinement and disposition of stray animals; impoundment and boarding fees; adoption fees.

(a)

The County Animal Shelter shall be operated and maintained in accordance with Virginia law, and it shall be accessible to the public at reasonable hours during the week.

(b)

Except as otherwise provided by Section 41.1-2-9, whenever any animal is confined at the Animal Shelter, it shall be kept for a period of not less than 5 days, such period to commence on the day immediately following the day the animal is initially confined in the facility, unless sooner claimed by the rightful owner. If any animal confined at the Animal Shelter is claimed by its rightful owner, such owner shall be charged the applicable fee or fees set forth in this Section.

(c)

Any animal impounded that is not known or suspected of being rabid may be redeemed by its rightful owner upon: (1) presentation of proof of ownership and personal identification; (2) payment of all applicable fees set forth in this Section; (3) if the animal being claimed is a dog or a cat that is 4 months of age or older, presentation of a certificate that shows the animal being claimed has been vaccinated for rabies in accordance with the requirements of Section 41.1-2-1; (4) if the animal being claimed is a dog that is 4 months old or older, presentation of evidence of payment of a valid dog license, as required by Section 41.1-2-2; and (5) payment of any necessary veterinary expenses incurred for the benefit of that animal by the Animal Shelter. Any rightful owner who fails to produce the certificate of vaccination or proof of payment of the license fee shall be allowed to have custody of the animal, but shall be subject to issuance of a summons for violation of Section 41.1-2-1 or Section 41.1-2-2. Any dog not redeemed may be destroyed in a humane manner or otherwise lawfully disposed of by the Director of the Animal Shelter or the designated agent of the Director. The Director or the designated agent of the Director shall not knowingly give, sell, or otherwise release any animal to any person who intends to use that animal for research purposes.

(d)

Any person who adopts an animal from the Animal Shelter shall pay the applicable adoption fee set forth in this Section and shall sign an adoption contract agreeing to comply with laws regulating the adoption and ownership of the animal and to appropriately care for the animal. The Animal Shelter shall not release any dog or cat for adoption unless the animal is already sterilized or the person who adopts the animal signs an agreement as required by Virginia law to have the animal sterilized.

(e)

Fee Schedules:

Impoundment fees:

Dogs and cats, first impoundment .....$ 25.00

Second impoundment .....50.00

Third or subsequent impoundment .....75.00

Livestock, under 150 pounds .....50.00

150 pounds or more .....100.00

Reptiles and exotic animals .....20.00

Rodents, ferrets, and rabbits .....20.00

Boarding fees (for each day boarded):

Dogs and cats .....15.00

Livestock (under 150 pounds) .....25.00

(150 pounds or more) .....50.00

Reptiles and exotic animals .....10.00

Rodents, ferrets, and rabbits .....10.00

Adoption fees:

Dogs under six (6) months of age .....175.00

Dogs age six (6) months to five (5) years .....125.00

Dogs age five (5) years and older .....100.00

Cats under six (6) months of age .....125.00

Cats age six (6) months to five (5) years .....75.00

Cats age five (5) years and older .....50.00

Rabbits and ferrets .....15.00

Reptiles and small birds .....10.00

Other small animals .....5.00

Equine and bovine .....200.00

Other livestock .....20.00

Large birds .....100.00

The Animal Shelter Director may waive or reduce the impoundment or boarding fees established in this subsection (e) for good cause shown. The Animal Shelter Director's determination of good cause shall be based on guidelines set forth in Standard Operating Procedures approved by the Fairfax County Police Department.

(f)

The owner of any animal that is held pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6569 for more than 30 days shall post a bond in surety with the County in an amount equal to the cost of boarding the animal for 9 months at the rates established in this Section. If the owner satisfies this obligation by obtaining a commercial bond, then the bond must be issued by a surety that is licensed to do business in Virginia and that has an A-IV or better rating from A.M Best. Upon a request by an owner, the County may reduce the bond for good cause shown. (26-04-41.1; 67-08-41.1; 17-14-41.1.)