400.04 animal adoptability

1. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 400.04
SUBJECT: ANIMAL ADOPTABILITY Page: 1
Date: 3/14/01
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 11/14/06
I. PURPOSE
To provide a standardized method to determine the adoptability of animals at Orange County
Animal Care Services (OCACS). 6
II. POLICY
OCACS provides pro-life, pro-adoption sheltering for animals of every type. OCACS accepts
all animals into its care including those with severe medical and temperament issues and makes
every attempt to place animals with suitable adopters or Adoption Partners including rescue
organizations and veterinarians that share a common purpose in saving the lives of animals.
At no time will any member of OCACS staff impose a maximum length of stay for any animal.
For these reasons, specific criteria must be established to determine the adoptability of animals,
to ensure that citizens adopting an animal from OCACS will receive an animal that is medically
sound or treatable, and behaviorally acceptable.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to all employees given the task of determining adoptability.
IV. FORMS
Not applicable
V. REFERENCES
California Civil Code Section 1834.4, Euthanasia.
Orange County Codified Ordinance (OCCO) 4-1-109, Sale of unredeemed animals.
Orange County Codified Ordinance (OCCO) 4-1-110, Disposition by euthanasia.
OCACS Policy & Procedure 700.05, Methods and Techniques for Euthanasia of Dogs and
Cats.
VI. DEFINITIONS
Medically sound animals are those that have been examined and identified by a State licensed
veterinarian as manifesting no signs of disease, injury, congenital or hereditary condition that
adversely affect the health of the animal or that is likely to adversely affect the health of the
animal in the future.
A treatable animal is one that can be made adoptable with reasonable efforts.

2. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 400.04
SUBJECT: ANIMAL ADOPTABILITY Page: 2
Date: 3/14/01
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 11/14/06
A behaviorally acceptable animal is one that has manifested no signs of a behavioral or
temperamental defect that could pose a health or safety risk or otherwise make the animal
unsuitable for placement as a pet.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Standards Employed When Assessing Animal Adoptability
1. Medical Evaluation
a. It is the responsibility of an OCACS Veterinarians to make an
assessment of the medical status of every animal at OCACS. The
initial medical assessment results shall be indicated upon the treatment
record of each animal. An animal shall be considered adoptable if the
animal has manifested no sign of disease, injury, or congenital or
hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of the animal or that
is likely to adversely affect the health of the animal in the future.
b. Animals exhibiting any medical symptoms that render the animal un-
adoptable, but can be made adoptable if treated with a reasonable effort,
within a reasonable period of time, shall receive treatment as prescribed
by an OCACS Veterinarian, which may include releasing the animal
with medication. An OCACS Veterinarian is ultimately responsible for
the update of records to insure that OCACS staff has the most current
information that will be used to make adoption decisions.
c. Unaltered animals that have been adopted, but have been deemed too ill
for surgery shall be evaluated by an OCACS Veterinarian. The
Veterinarian shall discuss the condition of the animal with the adopter
and determine if the animal will be released with medication or adoption
cancelled.
d. Adopters shall sign a health waiver acknowledging that they have
adopted a sick animal which will identify the nature of the illness,
potential for treatment costs and a statement that OCACS will not be
responsible for additional treatment or costs incurred.
e. For unaltered animals, the waiver shall include a commitment to return
the animal for sterilization within a prescribed period of time. The
spay/neuter fee will be collected at time of adoption.

3. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 400.04
SUBJECT: ANIMAL ADOPTABILITY Page: 3
Date: 3/14/01
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 11/14/06
2. Behavioral Evaluation
During an animal’s State mandated retention period, OCACS staff shall observe
and assess the temperament of each animal. OCACS staff will use the
following criteria for assessment:
a. Does the animal display aggression toward other animals without
provocation?
b. Does the animal display aggression towards a person in regards to
gender, race or age?
c. Can the animal be handled without causing personal injury?
d. Can the dog be leashed without becoming aggressive?
e. Were there any problems during vaccination and/or exam of animal?
f. Is there food aggression exhibited?
g. Are there other types of aggressive behaviors exhibited that may incur
personal liability?
h. Is the animal able to interact with other people without aggression?
i. Is the animal able to interact with other animals without conflict?
j. Are there prior attacks or bites on humans?
k. Are there prior attacks or bites on animals?
l. Are there behavioral problems noted by previous owners? Such as:
1) Food aggression
2) Dislike of a specific gender, ethnic origin or age
3) Animal Aggression
4) Fence jumper/Runner
5) Barking
6) Destructive behavior, i.e., chewing, digging, shredding,
separation anxiety, etc.
7) Medical Condition
8) Soiling
B. Other Factors
Other factors that must also be taken into consideration when assessing the adoptability
of an animal:
1. Demand of a particular breed, i.e., how many of a particular breed is already
housed/available at OCACS.

4. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 400.04
SUBJECT: ANIMAL ADOPTABILITY Page: 4
Date: 3/14/01
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 11/14/06
2. Age of an animal, i.e., how likely will an animal be adopted at this age.
3. Space: the sporadic/seasonal balancing of OCACS space is needed so that room
is available for incoming stray/owned animals.
4. Length of stay, i.e., signs are present that indicate that the well being of an
animal is being adversely affected by the extended stay in a kennel run or cage.
Any staff that observes any behavior that would indicate that the animal is not an ideal adoption
candidate will place a memo in the Chameleon Kennel Window indicating the behavior
witnessed. This is to ensure that the most current information is available when a decision of an
animal's adoptability is required.
C. Responsibilities for Tracking Sick and Unaltered Animals
1. Adoption information for sick and/or unaltered animals will be made available
to Customer Service staff for follow-up and tracking.
2. Five (5) days after adoption, a phone call shall be placed to the adopter to check
on the health of the animal and identify the outcome of any veterinary visits.
3. Between the 10th and the 14th day after adoption, a call shall be placed by
Customer Services staff to schedule spay/neuter surgery, if required.
D. No Animal Will Be Sold or Transferred to Any Medical or Research Facility.