City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 10
Chapter 10.74
Section 10.74.100
 

Title 10 Regulation of Activities

Division V. Code Enforcement and Animal Regulations

Chapter 10.74 Offenses Involving Animals

Section 10.74.100 Impounding of cats – Notice of owner or keeper – Redemption – Fee
  1. The director may impound any cat(s) committing any of the acts prohibited by this code that is in danger of being subjected to cruel treatment, as defined by this chapter or chapters 16.52 and 16.54 RCW, or found to be sick, injured, or dead.
  1. The director upon the impounding of a cat shall record the breed, color and sex of the cat, and whether or not the cat is wearing a current license tag. If currently licensed, the director shall also record the name and address of the owner or keeper and number of the license tag. If the cat is not returned to its licensed owner or keeper, the director shall notify the cat's owner or keeper either by mail, or telephone, or personal notice that the cat has been impounded and where it may be redeemed. Any cat identified as currently licensed and impounded pursuant to this chapter shall be held for the owner or keeper for at least one hundred twenty hours from the time of impoundment. The length of time an unlicensed cat is to be held depends on the temperament of the animal, if the animal is sick or injured, space available in the animal care and control facility, and whether placement through adoption or transfer to an animal shelter or animal rescue approved by the director is available.
  1. Any impounded cat not redeemed after the expiration of the holding period as provided in subsection (B) of this section shall be deemed abandoned and ownership shall be vested in SCRAPS, and with the approval of the director the cat may be adopted out, transferred to an animal shelter or animal rescue whose standards for euthanasia are consistent with SMC 10.74.110(E).  All adoptions shall be conducted pursuant to Spokane County Code Section 5.04.064.
  1. Notwithstanding the holding periods referenced in subsection (B) of this section, the director may authorize any impounded cat be humanely euthanized if a veterinarian licensed in the state of Washington determines the cat is severely injured, sick, diseased, or suffering.  The director may authorize any unlicensed impounded cat be humanely euthanized if a veterinarian licensed in the state of Washington determines the cat is an untreatable threat to the safety of other animals or people and such determination is presented to and approved by a majority vote of the SCRAPs Advisory Board.
  1. Any cat impounded pursuant to this section may be redeemed by the owner or keeper upon compliance with the redemption procedures in Spokane County Code Section 5.04.110 and payment of all redemption fees as prescribed in the department fee schedule.
  1. Any cat running at large during a rabies quarantine shall be immediately impounded by SCRAPS and kept at the animal care and control facility or animal shelter for the remainder of the quarantine at the owner's or keeper's expense.

Date Passed: Monday, September 25, 2023

Effective Date: Monday, September 25, 2023

ORD C36445 Section 3