Aberdeen City Council approves animal foster policy

Elisa Sand, Aberdeen News
·3 min read

A new policy approved by the Aberdeen City Council Monday allows residents to exceed the city's pet limitation by one if they are providing foster care for the animal.

The Aberdeen City Council reviewed and approved the policy Monday at its regular meeting.

Current city ordinances limit the number of pets in any one household to three dogs; four cats; or a combination of four pets. The limit does not apply to pigeons, chickens or fish, according to the city ordinance.

But, at the end of October, the city council amended its animal ordinances to allow residents to exceed the city's pet limit if it was for temporary pet foster care. The ordinance also required the city to draft a policy outlining what would be allowed. That's the policy discussed on Monday.

More:Aberdeen animal ordinance revision proposals include temporary pet foster care permits

According to the policy, the city must first approve an animal foster service. Qualifying organizations must be a humane society or animal rescue organization operating in Brown County. That approved foster service must also meet certain qualifications like liability insurance and indemnification of the city for any damage caused by foster animals.

City Attorney Ron Wager said both the Aberdeen Humane Society and the Brown County Pet Rescue League have pet foster programs. This policy won't change that, but what it will do is allow someone who is at the maximum allowed number of pets to exceed that number by one with a foster pet.

Other conditions iclude:

  • The caregiver must also consent to an inspection by the animal control officer and the foster service.

  • Ownership of the animal remains with the foster service.

  • The caregiver and foster service are jointly and severally liable for damages; harm to others; or code violations.

  • The city is held harmless and indemnified for any damages arising from the foster care.

Anyone providing foster services can do so until they exceed the city's pet limit by one and foster services are limited to no more than 90 days in a four-month period.

Animals to be fostered must be from Brown County; must not be deemed vicious, dangerous or unsafe; must not have been involved in an animal attack; and must be vaccinated for rabies.

Wager said people in Aberdeen can still foster an animal that's not from Brown County, but the residency restriction comes in when the foster pet will exceed the city's established pet limit.

The place where an animal is fostered must also have anti-escape fencing and there must be a sight barrier to block the animal's line of sight. The animal must also wear a tag indicating it is a foster animal.

In other action, the council approved payments to Jensen Rock and Sand and Reede Construction.

City Manager Joe Gaa also reported that the city's IT department has been converting city email to a new host. As of Monday, he said, the city departments aren't getting email, but the system should be up and running by Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Aberdeen City Council approves animal foster policy