CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to pet adoption fees and other animal control fees; adjusting and simplifying adoption fees and animal control fees; authorizing the Director of Finance and Administrative Services to adjust adoption fees and animal control fees; and amending Sections 9.26.050 and 9.26.060 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, the Seattle Animal Shelter is responsible for caring for thousands of stray, orphaned, sick, and abused animals every year; and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with community expectations of higher standards of care, the level of animal care and enforcement needs have grown significantly over the years; and
WHEREAS, pet adoption fees currently only cover a subset of the services required to ensure placement for that pet; and
WHEREAS, an increase in pet adoption fees will support the Seattle Animal Shelter’s ability to provide the high levels of quality care the public has come to expect and the animals entrusted to the Shelter so deserve; and
WHEREAS, the City’s current pet adoption fee structure is overly complicated and needs to be simplified; and
WHEREAS, the City’s animal control fees and charges for detainment, adoption, and sheltering services have not been increased in over ten years, while the cost of providing boarding, veterinary care, and transporting of owned animals has gone up significantly; and
WHEREAS, the Director of Finance and Administrative Services has the ability to reduce or waive fees when in the best interest of the animal; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 9.26.050 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 124040, is amended as follows:
9.26.050 Other animal control fees and charges
Other animal control fees shall be:
A. Administrative fee for each detained animal:
First detainment ..... $ 45
Second detainment ..... $((85)) 150
Third ((and subsequent detainments)) ..... $((125)) 200
Fourth detainment ..... $275
Fifth and subsequent detainments … $375
B. For each 24-hour period or part thereof for kenneling ..... $((10)) 20
C. For each animal adopted, ((with the exception of rabbits ..... $ 15)) the fee shall be in the range described below and determined by rule:
Cat … $30 - 125
Dog … $100 - 375
Rabbit … $40
Other (any animal other than a cat, dog, or rabbit) … $15
D. ((For each rabbit adopted ..... $ 40)) For providing veterinary care for an owner’s animal … cost of treatment with a minimum fee of $100
E. For each exotic animal permit ..... $ ((50)) 100
F. For each live animal trapping permit ..... $100
G. For ((collecting and disposing of)) transporting an owner's animal ((, whether
the animal is dead or alive)) ..... $ ((20)) 50
H. For euthanizing an owner's animal ..... $ ((20)) 72
I. For the handling and treatment of animals, ((other than dogs and cats,)) charges may be assessed to recover the cost of special equipment or services provided.
J. For each microchip implant … $30
K. For each vaccination …... $10
L. For each spay or neuter surgery deposit as described in subsection 9.25.091.D … $250
Any deposit not collected within one year will be forfeited as a donation to the Pet Population Control Fund created by Ordinance 118289.
Effective January 1, 2019, the Director of Finance and Administrative Services is authorized to adjust these fees as necessary to ensure the fee revenues are sufficient to support the services provided by the Seattle Animal Shelter, provided that the revenue for these fees shall not exceed costs for such services. Whenever the Director adjusts these fees, the Director shall file a schedule of these fees with the City Clerk.
Section 2. Section 9.26.060 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125196, is amended as follows:
9.26.060 Spay and Neuter Clinic fees
The fees at the Seattle Animal Shelter Spay and Neuter Clinic shall be:
A. Surgery fees:
Cats
Spaying ..... $108
Neutering ..... $102
Dogs
Dog neuter under 50 pounds ..... $144
Dog neuter 50-80 pounds ..... $162
Dog neuter over 80 pounds ..... $186
Dog spay under 50 pounds ..... $156
Dog spay 50-80 pounds ..... $174
Dog spay over 80 pounds ..... $186
Rabbits
Rabbit spay or neuter ..... $90
Animals other than cats, dogs, and rabbits may be spayed or neutered at the discretion of the Director of Finance and Administrative Services, or the Director's designee, who shall charge a fee for the service that is based upon estimated costs, not to exceed $120 per hour of surgery. Effective January 1, 2018, the Director is authorized to adjust these fees as necessary to ensure the fee revenues are sufficient to support the spay and neuter services provided by the Seattle Animal Shelter, provided that the revenue for these fees shall not exceed costs for such services. Whenever the Director adjusts these fees, the Director shall file a schedule of these fees with the City Clerk.
B. Vaccination fees ((:
Cat FvRCP ..... $10
Dog DHLP ..... $10
Cat and dog rabies ..... $10)) …$10 per vaccination
C. Microchip implant fees ((:)) … $30
((Animals adopted from the shelter ..... $20
Nonshelter animals ..... $30
Animals reclaimed from the shelter ..... $30))
Section 3. Sections 1 and 2 of this ordinance shall take effect on January 1, 2018.
Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2017, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2017.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2017.
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Tim Burgess, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2017.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)