§ 6.04.140. Sale of impounded livestock.

A.

If the owner of any impounded livestock fails to redeem the animal within five days of impoundment, or if animal care and environmental control cannot identify the owner in that time period, then, if the animal is deemed to be adoptable, it shall be sold through a sealed bid process in accordance with the following procedures:

1.

The animal care and environmental control director shall prepare a bid package which shall include a bid form required for submittal of the bid, an animal adoption form required for submittal with the bid, and an information sheet on the animals available for bid with starting bid prices. The bid form shall clearly explain the requirements for bid submittal including time and date of bid closing, forms required at time of submittal, required method of submittal, payment requirements, and any special conditions for the particular bid.

2.

All sales shall occur through the sealed bid process. There will be no open, competitive verbal bidding. The winning bid shall be determined by the county based on high bid and demonstrated ability to care for the particular animal evidenced through information provided on the adoption form portion of the bid package.

3.

The animal care and environmental control director shall calculate the starting bid price based on county costs for veterinary care, inoculations, etc., added to the applicable daily impoundment fee for the particular case, or where such formula yields an unreasonable cost, a relevant, market-based starting bid price shall be determined.

4.

Animal care and environmental control shall post a notice of the impending sale in at least one newspaper of general local circulation at least 15 days prior to the bid closing. Such notice shall provide a minimum of the following information:

a.

Type of animal, impound number, gender, age, coat coloration, markings, brands if applicable, and other identifying information deemed necessary;

b.

Date and time of bid closing;

c.

Starting bid price;

d.

Address for obtaining bid documents.

5.

The successful bidder shall provide cash or a cashier's check within two days of selection by the county, and the animal shall be removed from county property as soon as the sale is finalized.

6.

In the event of a tie, the tied bidders shall resubmit written bids.

7.

Failure to follow bid requirements or to submit all required forms and information shall cause a bid to be declared non-compliant and to be eliminated from consideration.

8.

The county reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any bidding formalities, to negotiate with the bidder of its choice, and to make an award deemed to be in its own best interest.

B.

If any animal sold pursuant to this section is sold for more than is sufficient to pay the fines, fees, county expenses, etc., such excess shall be deposited with animal care and environmental control in accordance with the budget ordinance in the donation account. If the original owner of the animal sold provides claim and evidence or affidavit of ownership within 30 days from the date of the sale, the excess shall be paid to that original owner. If after 30 days such excess is not claimed, the excess from the sale shall be available for use by animal care and environmental control.

C.

County employees and their family members may submit sealed bids in accordance with all applicable requirements as long as the employee is not directly involved with the particular bid process.

D.

Should the animal care and environmental control director, in conjunction with the county administrator, determine that the county's interests and the welfare of the impounded animals are best served by utilizing the adoption process as established for small animals (dogs/cats) or by releasing said animals to rescue organizations, then the above sale procedures may be waived.

E.

The adoption fee for livestock, including but not limited to horses, cows, goats, pigs, sheep, etc., is hereby set at $150.00.

(Ord. No. 10-O-26, § 1, 2010; Ord. No. 11-O-24, § 1, 12-6-2011)