SECTION 28. REDEMPTION OF ANIMALS

1. The owner of an animal registered and vaccinated pursuant to the requirements of this Ordinance shall have the right to redeem their animal unless it has been impounded pursuant to: (i) further investigation, (ii) quarantine, or (iii) the department seeking custody, an order to provide care, or a dangerous dog determination, in which case the animal may be redeemed only when the department, the public health unit, or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that all applicable state law, statutes, ordinances, and or administrative and/or policies have been fulfilled.
2. The department will attempt to contact the owner of an impounded animal that is wearing any form of identification.
3. An owner shall redeem his or her animal after being notified by the department that the animal is ready for release within the time lines established by resolution. If not redeemed within this time, the owner will have been deemed to have waived his or her rights to the animal, and the department may, in its discretion, make appropriate disposition of the animal as allowable by law.
4. The department shall have the sole discretion to determine whether unregistered animals may be redeemed by the person claiming ownership in accordance with department policy and completion of the following requirements:
   1. Proof of ownership: Proof of ownership must be provided and may be established by any or all of the following:
      1. the registration certificate;
      2. a bill of sale;
      3. photographs of the animal in question;
      4. microchip or tattoo information;
      5. affidavits from neighbors;
      6. veterinary records;
      7. other reliable documentary or anecdotal evidence considered reliable by the department; along with a sworn or affirmed statement of ownership.
   2. TAGS: No dog or cat shall be released from the department's custody unless and until the owner either produces or purchases a current registration certificate or, in the event a medical exemption is applicable, purchases an advance registration certificate from the department.
   3. FEES AND COSTS: The owner of the impounded animal must pay all assessed impound/service fees and applicable costs which may include but not be limited to, daily boarding costs, medical expenses, investigative costs, sterilization deposit, boarding fees and any other related costs as applicable in order to redeem an animal. The impound/service fees, boarding costs, and sterilization deposit amounts, shall be established by BOCC Policy. fees and costs shall be paid in full prior to release of the animal.
   4. VACCINATIONS AND MICROCHIPPING
      1. Unless exempted by this ordinance, proof of rabies vaccinations must be provided to the department prior to redemption or the owner must arrange for administration of the vaccinations prior to or contemporaneously with the release of the animal.
      2. Any animal may be microchipped by the department at the time of redemption at the discretion of the department unless a veterinarian recommends against microchipping.
      3. The owner may have his or her veterinarian implant the microchip and/or administer the rabies vaccination. In such cases, a refundable deposit as established by resolution may be required prior to the animal being redeemed.
5. The department may allow redemption of an animal to a designated authorized agent of the owner, upon proof of ownership and authorization to release the animal to the agent.
6. Animals, which have not been redeemed or for which an owner has not been identified or located within the time period provided in this Ordinance, shall become the property of the county. Thereafter, the department may, in its discretion, place such animals for adoption, or transfer them pursuant to Hillsborough County Ordinance Number 87-7, or make any other disposition pursuant to law.
7. If an impounded animal is suffering from or suspected to have an infectious or contagious disease, or is injured or debilitated to such an extent that it is experiencing unjustifiable pain or suffering as determined by a county veterinarian or his or her designee, the animal may be humanely euthanized prior to the expiration of the time period for redemption set forth in this Ordinance.

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