Policy and procedure for owner surrendered animals at OCAC PRIOR TO the Logan lawsuit

1. I. PURPOSE
To establish a procedure for receiving animals from the owner or legal custodian for the
purpose of placement or euthanasia.
II. POLICY
Orange County Animal Care (OCAC) accepts animals surrendered by persons claiming
ownership or legal custody of an animal, who wish to relinquish the animal to OCAC. The
purported owner or custodian must provide proper identification and pay all applicable fees as
established by the Board of Supervisors.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to all employees charged with the responsibility of receiving animals.
IV. FORMS
Rabies Control Investigation Report (Animal Bite/Scratch Report) F272-12 2001.4
Orange County Animal Care Services Manual Receipt F042-12.2277
Owner Surrender Statement
Owner Surrender Questionnaire
V. REFERENCES
Orange County Codified Ordinance (OCCO 4-1-23)
California Food & Agriculture Code 17005, State Euthanasia Policy
California Food & Agriculture Code 17006, Irremediable Serious Illness or Injury
VI. DEFINITIONS
Proper Identification - Any valid Drivers License, Identification Card or School Identification
card with picture.
VII. PROCEDURE
Animals may be surrendered for the purpose of euthanasia or placement.
Number: 400.13
SUBJECT: PROCEDURE FOR OWNER SURRENDERED ANIMALS Page: 1
Date:
Approved: Revised: 02/06/15

2. A. Animals Surrendered for the Purpose of Euthanasia
1. Establish ownership of animal intended for relinquishment.
2. Obtain reason for relinquishment of animal.
3. Ensure that the animal meets the criteria for immediate euthanasia as verified by
an OCAC Veterinarian or Registered Veterinarian Technician (RVT).
4. OCAC does not accept healthy, non-aggressive animals for euthanasia. The
animal must meet one of the following criteria:
a. Medical – any animal deemed by an OCAC Veterinarian or RVT, at time of
relinquishment, as irremediably suffering due to a serious illness,
condition, or severe injury, including advanced age. (See CA
F&A17006)
b. Behavior - Any animal deemed potentially dangerous or vicious (see
OCCO 4-1-23), or the legal owner makes claim that in the past or
present, (see CA F&A 17005)
1) The animal has exhibited aggression towards other animals or
people.
2) A person or animal had to take defensive action to avoid
bodily injury from the animal.
5. Determine if animal has been involved in a bite to a human in the last 10 days. If
any animal has bitten in the last 10 days, initiate Rabies Control Investigation
Report (P&P 700.04).
6. Create Kennel Window, (P&P 300.53). If intake occurs at Station I, store
KENNEL NO as CLINIC.
7. Initiate and complete Manual Receipt (P&P 500.01).
8. Collect all applicable fees (P&P 500.50).
9. Store Chameleon Receipt (P&P 500.01).
10. Transport relinquished animal and required forms to Station III for euthanasia.
Provide form(s) to either the ClinicVeterinarian or a Registered Veterinary
Technician (RVT) or attach form(s) to Clinic Mail slot appropriated for these
transactions. Include the following:
a. A paper collar, legibly identifying the Animal_ID number.
b. The second copy of signed Manual Receipt.
c. All copies of Rabies Control Investigation Report, if applicable.
Number: 400.13
SUBJECT: PROCEDURE FOR OWNER SURRENDERED ANIMALS Page: 2
Date:
Approved: Revised: 02/06/15

3. B. Animals Surrendered for the Purpose of Placement
OCAC will only accept those animals from cities that are contracted with the County to
do so; all persons from outside our jurisdiction will be sent to the appropriate shelter for
service.
1. Establish ownership of animal intended for relinquishment.
2. Obtain reason for relinquishment of animal. Have owner complete “Owner
Surrender Questionnaire”. This may include animals intended to be surrendered
for the purpose of euthanasia, but did not qualify under the established criteria.
3. After obtaining the reason for surrender, follow one of these procedures:
a. Medical: OCAC Veterinarian or RVT, prior to impound, must evaluate
and approve for adoption candidacy any animal relinquished with a
known or observed medical condition. If impound is after normal
business hours, evaluation shall take place the following morning.
b. Behavior: Any animal relinquished for behavioral issues other than
provided in Section A. 2. b above may be considered for adoption based
on evaluation by Kennel and Veterinary staff.
c. Other: If the animal is surrendered for other than medical or behavioral
reasons (e.g. moving to a location that does not allow pets), both Kennel
and Veterinary staff shall evaluate the animal to determine suitability for
adoption.
4. Create Kennel Window (P&P 300.53).
a. Complete animal profile, including any information that may aid in
successfully placing animal in new home, take and store photo.
b. If intake occurs at Station I, store KENNEL NO as TRANSIT until
Station I Runner returns from transport of animal with actual cage
number.
5. Initiate and complete Manual Receipt (P&P 500.01).
6. Have owner complete the Owner Surrender Form or Owner Surrender Question.
7. Collect all applicable fees (P&P 500.50).
8. Store Chameleon Receipt (P&P 500.01).
Number: 400.13
SUBJECT: PROCEDURE FOR OWNER SURRENDERED ANIMALS Page: 3
Date:
Approved: Revised: 02/06/15

4. 9. Transport relinquished animal, with assigned blue tag, to the Clinic for intake
exam.
10. Veterinary staff shall examine the animal, enter history and physical exam notes
in medical record, administer and prescribe appropriate medications and
vaccinations, and assign animals to Adoption Partner Candidate (APC), Not
recommended for Adoption (NRA), or Routine classification in Kennel Window
under Intake in the Condition field.
11. Kennel animal in appropriate location based on condition; APC, NRA,
ROUTINE, Treatment/Contagious or Special Attention.
12. All information from the “OWNWER SURRENDER QUESTIONNAIRE” will
be entered into Chameleon and the forms will be turned into the Lt on duty at
the end of every day.
Number: 400.13
SUBJECT: PROCEDURE FOR OWNER SURRENDERED ANIMALS Page: 4
Date:
Approved: Revised: 02/06/15