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PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to set the procedures for animals to be submitted to the Otsego County Animal Control Department. POLICY For Animals Submitted by Owners Unless otherwise approved by the director or his/her designee, animal control will accept all owner surrendered animals from in-county residents. The in-county resident must be the owner of the animal AND the animal must be free from any known illness and be non- aggressive, as determined by the director or his/her designee. If the animal is found to be aggressive and/or is found non-adoptable, the owner must pick up the animal within twenty-four hours of being notified. If the shelter is over capacity, the animal control staff may ask the owner to hold onto the animal until room is available. The animal control staff will ask the owner to call back to check for vacancy. If the owner still wishes to surrender the animal after 7 calendar days from original contact, the owner will be allowed to do so regardless of capacity. At the discretion of the animal control staff, owners may be required to obtain a current rabies vaccine prior to submitting their animal. The animal must meet all of the guidelines in this policy for acceptance. If the animal is spayed or neutered and has a valid rabies vaccine (dogs only), the animal control staff may refer the owner to local newspapers for placement of a classified ad. The animal control staff will ask for contact information including name, telephone and address of the person wishing to submit the animal. If the shelter is over capacity as determined by the animal control staff, AND the owner is a non-county resident, it is at the discretion of the animal control staff to accept the animal for submission. The animal must meet all criteria for submission. For Stray Animal Submissions The animal control staff will accept all stray dogs and/or dogs running at large as defined by state and local ordinances, unless otherwise authorized by the director or his/her designee. The animal control staff will accept all stray cats from in-county residents willing to pay appropriate fees. The animal control staff will first refer out-of-county residents wishing to submit a stray to the law enforcement agency in which the animal was found. It is at the discretion of the animal control staff to accept stray animals from out-of-county. County Credit Card Animal Control Submission Policy