{"data":{"id":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-59-59-698.16","jurisdiction":"us-ok","citation":"Okla. Stat. tit. 59, § 59-698.16","heading":"Abandoned animals","body":"A. 1. Any animal except domestic animals as such term is\n\ndefined in Section 85.1 of Title 4 of the Oklahoma Statutes placed\n\nin the custody of a licensed veterinarian for services which is\n\nabandoned by its owner, the owner’s agent, or any other person for a\n\nperiod of more than three (3) days after written notice is given by\n\nregistered or certified mail, return receipt, is receipted, refused,\n\nunclaimed or by actual hand-delivery to the owner or the owner’s\n\nagent at the last-known address of the owner or the owner’s agent,\n\nshall be deemed abandoned and may be sold, disposed of in a humane\n\nmanner by the veterinarian or turned over to the custody of the\n\nnearest humane society, or animal shelter.\n\n2. Any animal except domestic animals as such term is defined\n\nin Section 85.1 of Title 4 of the Oklahoma Statutes placed in the\n\ncustody of a licensed veterinarian for, but not limited to,\n\nboarding, treatment, or any other care, which is abandoned by an\n\nanonymous individual for a period of more than five (5) days, shall\n\nbe deemed to be abandoned and may be sold, disposed of in a humane\n\nmanner by the veterinarian or turned over to the custody of the\n\nnearest humane society or animal shelter.\n\nB. Any domestic animal as such term is defined by Section 85.1\n\nof Title 4 of the Oklahoma Statutes placed in the custody of a\n\nlicensed veterinarian for boarding, treatment or any other reason\n\nwhich is abandoned by the owner, the owner’s agent or by an\n\nanonymous individual may be disposed of as required for estrays\n\npursuant to Chapter 4 of Title 4 of the Oklahoma Statutes.\n\nC. 1. Compliance with the notice provisions of this section by\n\nthe licensed veterinarian or the disposal of an animal pursuant to\n\nsubsection B of this section, as provided in subsection A of this\n\nsection, shall relieve the licensed veterinarian and any custodian\n\nto whom such animal may be given of any further liability for\n\ndisposal.\n\n2. Such procedure by a licensed veterinarian shall not\n\nconstitute grounds for disciplining pursuant to the Oklahoma\n\nVeterinary Practice Act.\n\n3. Compliance with this section shall relieve the veterinarian\n\nfrom liability for such disposal or sale.","path":["OK Code","Title 59"],"source_url":"https://www.oklegislature.gov/OK_Statutes/CompleteTitles/os59.pdf","current_through":"2026-08-14","vintage":"open-us-law v2026.08, retrieved 2026-09-14","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T18:32:36Z","sha256":"f96cf389d3a400d3b74f54601532f2c1022549f22230beabcc8d0016201ce418","source_id":"us-ok","stale":false,"prev":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-59-59-698.15","next":"us-ok/okla.-stat.-tit.-59-59-698.16a"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}