§ 18-56. Adoption.

The following words, terms and phrases used in this article, shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Adoption means a transfer of ownership, with or without remuneration, of a dog or cat from an animal control shelter or animal protection shelter to an individual for the purpose of being a companion animal for that individual. As used in this subdivision, a companion animal includes but is not limited to a dog that is used for hunting or as a guard dog.

Alteration means a professional sterilization procedure performed by a veterinarian that renders a dog or cat incapable of reproducing.

Altered, in reference to a dog or cat, means having undergone alteration.

Animal means a mammal except livestock as defined in 1937 PA 294, MCL 287.121 to 287.131, and rodents.

Animal control shelter means a facility operated by a municipality for the impoundment and care of animals that are found in the streets or at large, animals that are otherwise held due to the violation of a municipal ordinance or state law, or animals that are surrendered to the animal control shelter.

Animal protection shelter means a facility operated by a person, humane society, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or any other nonprofit organization for the care of homeless animals.

Department means the State Department of Agriculture.

Health certificate means a certificate in a form prescribed by the department in which a veterinarian attests to the age, sex, breed, and description of an animal, and to the fact that at the time of preparation of the certificate, the veterinarian examined the animal and found the animal free from visual evidence of communicable disease.

Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity.

Pet shop means a place where animals are sold or offered for sale, exchange, or transfer.

Veterinarian means a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine under Article 15 of the Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16101 to 333.18838.

(Ord. No. 1669, 2-23-98)