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Pounds: Since animal pounds are
government-controlled facilities (regular or privately-contracted),
they typically utilize the 5-day Federal hold rule, where an animal
does not have to be held more than 5 days. The 5 day hold is mandated
in order to allow owners time to find their pets. Although some now
hold them longer than 5 days, this may depend on how many animals are
impounded at the time, the breed or type of animal, etc. Also, the
5-day rule does not apply to animals surrendered by their owners, nor
does it apply to animals which have already been held for at least 5
days by a member of the general public or another facility. Once the 5
days are up, the facility has a right to keep the animal indefinitely,
sell the animal to a new owner, surrender it for research (all pounds are
required to, but some do, some do not), or euthanize. For more details
on the various issues, read through entire site, since tips and
comments throughout can be most-helpful. Note that if an animal is
severely injured or very ill, it will sometimes be put down even
before the 5 days are up in order to limit its suffering. Pounds
typically will pick up strays, and will also accept animals brought in
by the general public. Some agencies will not allow you to read through their listings of
dogs and cats brought in to the facility. Sometimes this is because an
agency (which is not a city pound) may consider the list their private
property, not open to the public. But this can also happen because
many times such lists exist only on their computer system. In such a
case, you are at the mercy of the agency employee or volunteer to
search the list properly, carefully, and adequately. Worse, many
facilities keep lists available for only 30 days. If you have lost
your pet some time ago and you want to review back listings, and if
your pet has already entered and left a facility more than 30 days
ago, there will be no way for you to know. In such a case, we strongly
recommend continuing your search, setting yourself a schedule, a
determination of those things you will and will not do, and giving
yourself a deadline as to when you will stop searching. Then do the
best you can, and if you do not find your pet within that time period,
simply accept it. Since many pets are out wandering on their own, or
taken in to a temporary home, for some months or even a year or so,
please do not give up too soon.
No-Kill Shelters: No-kill shelters sometimes do euthanize
animals, but typically only if they are ill, injured, or considered
un-adoptable. Many do not euthanize even those which are problem
animals, but instead, attempt to locate homes or sanctuaries which can
deal with the individual's oddities. No-Kill shelters are not mandated
to pick up strays, and are not mandated to intervene in cases of
abuse, although most typically accept strays from the
general public. These organizations are also required to comply with
the Federal 5-day rule unless a member of the general public or
another facility has
already had the animal for at least 5 days.
2004, Copyright cT2, inc., Box 7164,
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Tip: The 5-day rule does not apply in all situations, in all pounds or shelters -- except, of course, pets must be held a minimum of 5 days. Sometimes you do have more than 5 days to recover an impounded pet. |
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