§ VIII. Adoption.

A.

Procedure. Any person adopting a dog or cat from the Animal Shelter shall be required to enter into an adoption contract with Union County whereby the adopting party is required to have his dog or cat spayed or neutered. All adopting parties shall be required to pay an adoption fee of $65.00 per dog or puppy and $50.00 per cat or kitten, but shall not be required to pay any boarding or redemption fees. Upon payment of the adoption fee, the Animal Shelter shall provide to the adopting party a redeemable coupon which entitles the adopting party to visit any participating Union County veterinarian and receive for the adopted animals the medical services listed below at no additional charge by the veterinarian. Veterinary services shall be provided in two phases or visits. Phase I services shall expire fifteen (15) business days from the date of the adoption. Phase II services shall expire six (6) months from the date of the adoption. The adopting party shall secure Phase II services within thirty (30) days of the date of adoption or at such time as the adopted animal attains six (6) months of age, whichever period constitutes greatest duration.

Phase I:

Routine Physical Examination (Dog/Cat)

Routine Worming (Dog/Cat)

Phase II:

Routine Spay or Neuter, Mandatory (Dog/Cat)

Payment for said services by the County to the local veterinarian shall be processed by the Animal Shelter upon receipt of a completed and signed Dog/Puppy/Cat/Kitten Adoption Medical Contract (Phases I and II).

At their own expense, persons adopting an animal shall have all age-appropriate animals vaccinated for rabies and shall submit proof of vaccination to participating veterinarians.

The adopter of those animals turned into the shelter which are known to be spayed or neutered shall pay to the Animal Shelter any applicable fee for the Phase I visit (routine physical examination).

B.

Exchange of Adopted Animals. The County shall agree to provide an exchange for any animal that requires major medical treatment, or dies from natural causes, within 30 days from the date of adoption under the following conditions:

a.

Any major medical treatment must be certified as being necessary by a licensed veterinarian;

b.

In the event that the adopted animal dies during the 30 days following adoption, the adopting party must present satisfactory evidence (e.g., the carcass of the animal or a veterinarian's certification) of the date of the death of the animal;

c.

The request for an exchange must be made within 30 days from the date of the adoption contract; and

d.

The adopting party must bring the second adopted animal to a licensed veterinarian in accordance with the provisions of Section VIII. A. above within 15 working days of the execution of the adoption contract.