From
Lily Yap, Animal Services Manager
Title
Ordinance amending Chapter Five, "Animal Services," Section 5-14 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, to adjust adoption policy to reflect industry best practices and discontinue adopter-specific citation process
Presenter
Lily Yap, Animal Services Manager
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The adoption fee for an animal from Prairie Paws Adoption Center currently includes the spay/neuter, microchipping, core vaccinations, and rabies vaccination. For animals that are too young for rabies vaccinations at the time of adoption, our current ordinance dictates that an adopter either return for an appointment at Prairie Paws Adoption Center to have the vaccine administered or follow up with their personal veterinarian to administer the rabies vaccination and submit proof to our staff. If neither of these actions are taken, under this version of the ordinance, the responsibility falls on Animal Services to issue a citation with a fine that could amount to over $100. This ultimately targets our most valuable customers. With the adjustment to the ordinance, the responsibility to ensure that an underaged animal is vaccinated for rabies will fall on the adopter, similar to the process for any other pet owner in Grand Prairie.
To supplement care for our underaged, adopted pets, the ordinance dictates that the Animal Services Manager will be able to implement a uniform policy that provides a service for the adopted pet to receive the rabies vaccination from Prairie Paws Adoption Center when of age. This will be primarily be based on veterinary availability. This creates an adoption process, including spay/neuter, microchipping, and age appropriate vaccinations, that is in line with industry best practices.
Financial Consideration
None
Body
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER FIVE "ANIMAL SERVICES," SECTION 5-14 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, TO ADJUST ADOPTION P...
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