Irvine Municipal Code Ch. 4 Animal Shelter and Impoundment

For the purposes of this division, it shall be deemed that the City animal shelter refers to the Irvine Animal Care Center facility located at 6443 Oak Canyon, Irvine, California.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

The Director of Public Safety and the Director of Community and Library Services, or their respective designees, are hereby authorized to take into custody and impound any animal found in violation of this division, and shall place all such animals taken into custody in the City animal shelter if the owner cannot be, upon initial contact, identified and contacted and the animal returned home.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09; Ord. No. 25-09, § 2(Exh. A), 5-13-25)

All animals taken into custody shall be humanely transported in specifically designed ventilated and properly maintained vehicles.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

Cross reference— Vehicular traffic and parking regulations, § 6-3-501 et seq.

No person shall take possession of any animal found running at large without notifying the Director of Public Safety and/or the Director of Community and Library Services, or their respective designees, within four hours after receiving possession, giving a full description of the animal and the address and phone number of the place where the animal may be found. Such person shall, upon the request of the Director of Public Safety or Director of Community and Library Services, or their respective designee, surrender such animal.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09; Ord. No. 25-09, § 2(Exh. A), 5-13-25)

It shall be unlawful for any person to remove any impounded animal from the animal shelter without consent of the Director of Community and Library Services or designee.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09; Ord. No. 25-09, § 2(Exh. A), 5-13-25)

A. Animals wearing current valid registration tags, impounded pursuant to this division, shall be held for redemption by the owner and not be declared abandoned unless:

1. The person to whom the current tag for such animal was issued so directs; or

2. Ten working days have elapsed since such person was notified of his or her animal's whereabouts by telephone; or

3. Ten working days have elapsed since certified mail, first class postage fully paid, addressed to such person at his or her last known address and informing such person of the whereabouts of his or her animal, has been delivered by the United States mail.

B. Animals bearing microchip or wearing identification of any type shall be deemed registered for the purpose of the 10-day holding period, and all efforts shall be made to locate and notify the owners.

C. At the end of the 10 working-day period, animals not claimed by their owners may be declared abandoned and may be placed for adoption or disposed of in a humane manner according to law.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

Impounded animals not bearing identification of any type may be deemed unregistered and shall be held in custody for a period of seven days. At the end of the prescribed period, unregistered animals not claimed may be declared abandoned and may be placed for adoption or disposed of in a humane manner according to law.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

Either the Director of Public Safety or the Director of Community and Library Services, or their respective designees, will attempt to locate owners of lost or impounded registered dogs or cats for a period of 10 working days and unregistered dogs and cats for seven days through public notice, private communication where owner is known, or when a microchip is found.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09; Ord. No. 25-09, § 2(Exh. A), 5-13-25)

Registered animals may be redeemed by the owner or his or her authorized agent upon payment of the impoundment fees, care and feeding charges, and any veterinary costs.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

Unregistered animals may be redeemed by the owner upon payment of the registration fee, impoundment fee, care and feeding charges, any veterinary costs, and upon proof of rabies vaccination. Any person claiming ownership of any unregistered impounded animal shall be required to present proof of ownership satisfactory to the animal services officer or his or her designee.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

Any impounded animals that are not redeemed within the prescribed period of time may be considered abandoned and placed for adoption. Animals may be adopted by private individuals upon payment of a placement fee, rabies vaccination fee, and animal registration fee.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

The Director of Community and Library Services or his or her designee shall keep a record of each animal impounded, the date of receipt of such animal, the date and manner of its disposal, and if redeemed, reclaimed or adopted, the name of the person by whom redeemed, reclaimed or adopted, the address and telephone number of such person, and the amounts of all fees received or collected for or because of the impounding, reclaiming or adoption thereof, together with the number of any tag, and the date of any registration issued upon the redemption or adoption of any such animal, for three years.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09; Ord. No. 25-09, § 2(Exh. A), 5-13-25)

Animals that are not adopted within a reasonable period of time may be euthanized in a humane manner as prescribed by law.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

No animal may be donated or sold for the purpose of research or vivisection.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09)

Under special provisions, specific breed clubs and humane organizations approved by the Director of Community and Library Services or his or her designee shall have the option of adopting available animals for purposes of placement from the City shelter.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09; Ord. No. 25-09, § 2(Exh. A), 5-13-25)

Specific animal clubs and humane organizations approved by the Director of Community and Library Services or designee may be allowed to assume the responsibility of caring for lost and stray animals providing they have facilities for proper confinement, shelter and care of such animals. Such organizations shall notify both the Animal Care Center and Animal Services within four hours after obtaining any animal so sheltered, giving a full description and any identification. Such organizations shall assume responsibility for placement of such animals in homes after sheltering them for a minimum of 14 days, during which time they will make every attempt to locate and notify the owner.

(Ord. No. 09-10, § 1, 9-22-09; Ord. No. 25-09, § 2(Exh. A), 5-13-25)