Impoundment and Redemption of Cats.

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 8-5-10

in effect

Sec. 8-5-10. - Impoundment and Redemption of Cats. A. Impoundment. 1. First impoundment. Any non-community cat found running at large, abandoned, or subject to neglect, cruelty or any of the conditions described Section 8-5-3 or is not in compliance with any other provision of this chapter may be apprehended and impounded in the city animal shelter, and the owner notified, if known. If such cat has any ownership identification (tag, microchip, etc.), it shall be held for at least 72 hours during which time the owner may redeem or repossess the same upon payment of reclaim fees for impound and boarding in accordance with the current fee schedule as defined in this chapter. If not reclaimed or redeemed by the owner within such time, the animal will become the property of the shelter and the animal may be designated for disposition by the animal shelter director or their designee. If no ownership identification exists, the cat can be deemed a community cat and the 72 hour stray hold does not apply. If the cat is deemed a community cat and is not in need of medical attention, it shall be sterilized, ear-tipped, and returned to the location it was found. If the cat is less than 12 weeks old and no ownership identification exists, the kitten can be immediately placed for adoption, and a 72 hour stray hold does not apply. 2. Second impoundment. Should a cat belonging to the same owner be picked up for a second time within two years of the date of the first offense, the owner may redeem and repossess the cat upon payment of reclaim fees for 2nd impound and boarding in accordance with the current fee schedule as defined in this chapter. 72 hour stray hold provisions as described in subpart 1 still apply. 3. Third impoundment. Should a cat belonging to the same owner be picked up for a third time within three years of the date of the first offense, the owner may redeem and repossess the cat upon payment of reclaim fees for 3rd impound and boarding in accordance with the current fee schedule as defined in this chapter. The owner also must receive a summons for animal neglect as defined in this chapter. 72 hour stray hold provisions as described in subpart 1 still apply. B. Fees and costs. Impoundment fees for any cat confiscated and held pending a court ruling for violations of section 8-3-1 of this section or any violation of state animal cruelty codes (T.C.A. § 39-14-201, et seq.) must be paid within 2 hours of impoundment for the owner to maintain claim to ownership rights for the animal. If the court determine there is probable cause to proceed with the charges at the owner's first appearance in court, a security bond order will be issued by the presiding judge to cover boarding and additional fees in accordance with the current fee schedule as defined in this chapter. The security bond order shall be in an amount sufficient to cover all expenses from the date of impoundment through the date of the trial and shall be paid within ten days of the issuance of said order or ownership of the pet is forfeited to Memphis Animal Services. Should the trial date be reset for a later date, the owner of the animal will be presented with an updated security bond order at the next scheduled court appearance, which will also require payment within ten days of the issuance of said order or ownership of the pet is forfeited to Memphis Animal Services. C. Sterilization. Any unaltered cat that is not eligible for an exemption to the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance as defined in this chapter will be altered before discharge from Memphis Animal Services. Exemption 1 (under six months old) of the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance does not apply for cats brought into the shelter, if a licensed veterinarian determines the cat is of sufficient age and weight to proceed with sterilization. A fertile permit cannot be purchased after a lawful impound occurs. D. Microchip implant. Before release into the owner's custody, the director of animal services is authorized to have a veterinarian humanely implant any animal lawfully impounded with an electronic microchip that will allow the animal to be positively identified. (Ord. No. 5843, § 1, 7-11-2023)

Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT8AN_CH8-5MEANSE_S8-5-10IMRECAFetched: 10/28/2026