Sec.22-380m-2. Animal population control program: Payment required for adoption of unspayed or unneutered dogs and cats. Refunds

(a) No pound shall sell or give away any unspayed or unneutered dog or cat to any person unless such pound receives forty-five dollars from the person buying or adopting such dog or cat, provided that such payment shall not be required for the purchase or adoption of any dog or cat by a bona fide animal rescue or adoption organization as that term is defined in subsection (3) of section 22-380m-1 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. In order to be exempt from payment of the forty-five dollars, a bona fide animal rescue or adoption organization must present to the pound a currently valid form provided and signed by the commissioner certifying that such organization meets the definition of a bona fide animal rescue or adoption organization and is exempt from the forty-five dollar fee. Certification by the commissioner that the organization meets the definition of a bona fide animal rescue or adoption organization shall be for a one-year period but may be renewed on a yearly basis.

(b) At the time of the receipt of payment, the pound shall provide to the person purchasing or adopting an unspayed or unneutered dog or cat a certificate, noting payment of the forty-five dollars, on a form provided by the commissioner.

(c) All moneys received by a pound pursuant to General Statutes § 22-380f and subsection (a) of section 22-380m-2 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies shall be paid at least monthly by the pound into the account.

(d) If such certificate is returned to the commissioner postmarked within thirty days of the adoption or purchase of the dog or cat and is signed by a participating veterinarian stating that such dog or cat has been spayed or neutered and specifying the date on which the operation was performed, or that such dog or cat is medically unfit for such surgery, the commissioner shall refund thirty-five dollars to the person who purchased or adopted the animal.

(e) If such certificate is not returned to the commissioner postmarked within thirty days, the payment shall be considered forfeited and shall be retained in the account, except that, in the case of a dog or cat that is medically unfit for surgery or a dog or cat under the age of six months, such certificate shall specify a date by which such dog or cat may be fit for surgery and the eligible owner shall have thirty days from that date to return the certificate for the refund provided in subsection (d) of section 22-380m-2 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(Effective February 23, 1995)