A. The owner shall be entitled to resume possession of an impounded pet or animal within ten days from the time of notification upon compliance with all requirements as set forth below. If all such requirements are not met within the ten day time period, the pet or animal shall be deemed abandoned and shall immediately and irrevocably become the property of Colleton County animal care and control to convey, devise, dispose of or otherwise destroy as the county sees fit in accordance with this chapter.

1. The owner of an impounded pet or animal must apply for the redemption of the animal by completing a “Redemption Request Form” at animal care and control.

2. The owner must identify the animal to the satisfaction of the animal control officer. Identification may be accomplished by giving detailed verbal, written, photographic, or other appropriate description of the animal to the animal control officer.

3. Payment of all fees due, which include but are not limited to the following:

a. Minimum redemption fees set by county council are as follows, which may be adjusted by ordinance or resolution of the council in subsequent years:

i. First impoundment - twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per animal;

ii. Second impoundment - fifty dollars ($50.00) per animal;

iii. Third and subsequent impoundments - one hundred dollars ($100.00) per animal.

b. A boarding fee of three dollars per day for cats and five dollars per day for dogs or such fee as may be set by county council.

c. Rabies inoculation cost if the animal was inoculated per the provisions of Section 6.04.060(E).

d. Veterinary costs and/or medically necessary grooming costs if the director of animal care and control incurred any expenses for the medical care of the animal while it was impounded in the custody of the department.

B. Fees collected for impoundment shall be turned over, in accordance with established county policies, to the Colleton County treasurer, who shall make monthly accounting of such funds. Such fees, when collected, shall go toward defraying the expense of operating animal care and control.

C. No animal shall be released from impoundment unless authorized by the director of animal care and control with assurance from the owner that proper care and custody will be maintained. (Ord. 03-O-01 § 10, 2003)