Ord 23-2016 7/19/2016
Ordinance No. _23-2016_
Ordinance amending Section 14-10 of the Code of Ordinances to allow
for Waiver of Adoption Fees and Establishing a Pets for Vets Program;
providing for codification.
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that promoting all adoptions is beneficial to our
community; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that veterans have served our Country,
and waiving adoption fees for veterans is a way to honor their service .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
1. Section 14-10 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 14-10. - Animal adoption policies.
(a) An individual seeking to adopt an animal through the city's animal services
program must comply with the following requirements:
(1) Applicants may not have a history of complaints of cruelty or neglect
or have reclaimed their current animals, if any, from animal services
more than once in the previous 12-month period.
(2) All animals in the home must be spayed or neutered and current on
vaccinations and city licenses prior to the applicant being approved
for adoption.
(3) Once an applicant has been approved by animal services to adopt
an animal, the applicant must make an appointment with the
veterinarian of their choice to have the animal spayed or neutered.
Proof of the paid appointment must be submitted to animal services
prior to adoption of the animal.
(b) Once all of the requirements for adoption have been met, animal services
staff will deliver the adopted animal to the chosen veterinary clinic the morning of the
spay/neuter appointment. Animal services staff will microchip the animal prior to the
animal leaving the building and enter that information into the PetPoint system. While the
animal is at the veterinary clinic being spayed or neutered, they will also receive a rabies
vaccination provided by the veterinarian and paid for by the approved applicant. The
applicant may pick up the animal from the veterinary clinic after the animal has been
spayed or neutered and all additional actions have been undertaken by animal services
and the designated veterinarian.
(1) No later than ten days from the date of the animal being spayed or
neutered, proof of the operation must be returned to animal services.
(2) Proof of rabies vaccination along with proof of the purchase of a city
license must be returned no later than ten days after the animal has
been adopted.
(3) If the animal is deemed too young to be spayed or neutered, the
adopter shall schedule and prepay for a spay/neuter appointment at
the veterinarian of their choice and bring in proof of the appointment
and paid services to animal services no later than ten days following
adoption. It shall be unlawful for a person who has adopted an animal
from the city to fail to provide proof of spaying or neutering to animal
services within 90 days after adoption.
(4) If under four months of age at time of adoption, the puppy or kitten
must receive a rabies vaccination at approximately four months of
age. Animal services staff will approximate age and timeline for
rabies vaccine to be given. The adopter shall return the proof of
vaccination to animal services no later than ten days from the date
that the animal receives the vaccination. It shall be unlawful for a
person who has adopted an animal from the city to fail to provide
proof of rabies vaccination to animal services within 90 days after
adoption.
(c) The Director of Health has the authority to waive or reduce adoption fees
for special events or promotions.
(d) Pets and Vets Program – Adoption fees for any animal available at the City
of Wichita Falls Animal Services Center will be waived for any US Veteran who meets the
following requirements:
(1) Veterans shall meet all other requirements for adoption, including the
spay/neuter surgery at the veterinarian of their choice, and
(2) Veterans shall present one of the following documents that pertain
to his military service:
Military ID,
Form DD214 Military Discharge Certificate,
Honorable Discharge Certificate,
Letter from the U.S. Military Center in St. Louis, Missouri, or;
Letter from the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Services
and Benefits Program.”
2. Violations of this ordinance shall be punishable by a penalty of up to $500
per violation and as provided by Section 1 -14 of the Wichita Falls Code of Ordinances.
3. The sections of this ordinance that specify they amend or add to the Code
of Ordinances of the City of Wichita Falls are intended to be parts of said Code, and said
sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such intention.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 19th day of July, 2016.
______________________________
M A Y O R ATTEST:
____________________ City Clerk