(1) Each municipal or county animal control officer shall hold or cause to be held at an animal shelter any unidentified or unclaimed stray animal, and any other animal taken into custody by the municipal or county animal control officer, in safe and humane custody for a minimum of five business days after the time of impound and prior to making any final disposition of the animal. (2) An animal shelter shall ensure that a record of each held animal is maintained that includes the: (a) date of impound; (b) date of disposition; and (c) method of disposition, which may be: (i) placement in an adoptive home or other transfer of the animal, which shall be in accordance with Part 2, Animal Shelter Pet Sterilization Act; (ii) return to the animal's owner; (iii) placement in a community cat program as defined in Section 11-46-302; or (iv) euthanasia in accordance with Part 4, Euthanasia of Shelter Animals. (3) An impounded animal may be euthanized before the completion of the five working day minimum holding period to prevent unnecessary suffering due to serious injury or disease if the euthanasia complies with: (a) written agency or department policies and procedures; (b) local ordinances; and (c) Part 4, Euthanasia of Shelter Animals. (4) An impounded animal shall be returned to the animal's owner upon: (a) the establishment of proof of ownership; (b) compliance with the requirements of applicable local ordinances; and (c) compliance with Part 2, Animal Shelter Pet Sterilization Act.
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