KRS 258.119: Animal control and care fund -- Distribution of moneys -- Eligibility

requirements.

(1) The "Animal Control and Care Fund" is hereby created as a special fund in the State

Treasury. The fund may also receive gifts, grants from public and private sourc es,

state appropriations, and federal funds. Any unallotted or unencumbered balances in

this fund shall be invested as provided for in KRS 42.500(9). Income earned from

the investments shall be credited to the fund. Any fund balance at the close of the

fiscal year shall not lapse but shall be carried forward to the next fiscal year, and

moneys in this fund shall be continuously appropriated only for the purposes

specified in this section.

(2) Moneys from the fund shall be used by the Animal Control Advisory Board for

board expenses, for the creation and support of statewide programs related to

animal control and care, and for training animal control officers. "Statewide

programs" includes, but is not limited to, the reimbursement of costs for

preexposure rab ies vaccinations for all animal control and care workers. When

determining the distribution of the moneys relating to training, the need of the

applicant shall be one (1) of the criteria considered by the board. Based on

recommendations of the Animal Control Advisory Board, any moneys not expended

under this subsection may be distributed annually as grants to counties with an

established animal control and care program meeting the requirements of subsection

(3) of this section or approved plan to establish an animal control and care program

under subsection (4) of this section.

(3) As used in this section, "animal control and care program" means a program in

which the county:

(a) Employs, appoints, or contracts with an animal control officer, or contracts

with an entity that employs, appoints, or contracts with an animal control

officer, as required by KRS 258.195, who is a high school graduate and has

completed the training requirements set forth by the Animal Control Advisory

Board; and

(b) Maintains an ani mal shelter, enters into an intergovernmental agreement for

the establishment of a regional animal shelter, or contracts with an entity

authorized to maintain sheltering and animal control services, to provide

services that:

1. Segregate male and female animals by species in runs and holding areas;

2. Provide separate runs or holding areas for ill or injured animals. An ill

or injured animal shall be treated with proper veterinary care or

euthanized;

3. Provide quarantine for dogs and cats presented to the shelter when

quarantine by the owner is not feasible or desirable, the cost of

quarantine to be borne by the animal owner at the shelter's regular

housing costs and fees. Quarantined dogs and cats shall be held in

isolation for observation of symptoms of r abies for a period of ten (10)

days from the date the dog or cat bit a person. If the dog or cat dies or is

euthanized while in quarantine, it shall be submitted to the local health

department for testing for the presence of the rabies virus. The cost of

the testing shall be borne by the animal owner or the local health

department may bear the cost at its discretion;

4. Provide holding areas with protection from the weather, including

heated quarters during cold weather. Holding areas shall be free of

debris or standing water; shall provide adequate lighting, ventilation,

and sanitary conditions to promote a safe, healthy environment; and

shall provide adequate space to allow for normal movement, including

standing to full height, sitting, turning, and lying down in a natural

position without coming in contact with the top or sides of the enclosure

or another animal;

5. Provide runs and cages built of materials which can be readily cleaned

and disinfected, including floors made of an impervious material;

6. Provide access to the public for no less than twenty -four (24) hours in

one (1) week, with the hours that the facility is open to the public posted

in a visible location;

7. Employ euthanasia methods specified as acceptable for that species by

the most rece nt report of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Panel on Euthanasia;

8. Provide potable, uncontaminated water to every animal at all times, and

palatable, uncontaminated food daily; and

9. Maintain a record on each animal impounded. Records shall be

maintained for a period of two (2) years and shall include:

a. Date impounded;

b. Location found or picked up;

c. Sex of animal and spay or neuter status, if known;

d. Breed or description, and color; and

e. Date reclaimed, adopted, or euthanized.

(4) Counties submitting plans proposing to establish an animal control and care

program for approval by the Animal Control Advisory Board shall comply with the

requirements of:

(a) Paragraph (a) of subse ction (3) of this section within twelve (12) months of

the date the documentation is submitted; and

(b) Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of this section within twenty -four (24) months

of the date the documentation is submitted.

(5) To be eligible for any mo neys distributed as grants to counties under subsection (2)

of this section, counties shall submit an application to the commissioner, on a form

prescribed by the Department of Agriculture, by July 15 of each year. Moneys shall

be used for construction, eq uipment, educational supplies, and other uses or

programs approved by the advisory board, but shall not be used to increase wages of

animal control officers or other personnel. Counties receiving money from the

Department of Agriculture shall comply with t he terms of the plan or program. If

the terms of the plan or program are not complied with, the county shall refund the

money to the Department of Agriculture.