A. All impounded and unredeemed live animals, other than bovines, horses, mules, burros and animals with identification markings or tags, may be sold, released or destroyed by the animal control officer ten business days after being impounded; bovines, horses, mules and burros shall be disposed of in accordance with state provisions dealing with strays.

B. The animal control officer may dispose of dogs and cats with license or identification tags ten business days after service of written notice of the person whose name appears on the identification tag or license record. Written notice may be given by hand delivery, by posting on the premises of said person at his or her last known address or by mailing a copy to said person by registered or certified mail.

C. The animal control officer shall make an attempt to contact the person listed on the identification tag or license record by telephone within twenty-four hours of a weekday impounding or on the weekday following a weekend or holiday impounding.

Section 31108 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:

31108. (a) The required holding period for a stray dog impounded pursuant to this division shall be six business days, not including the day of impoundment, except as follows:

(1) If the pound or shelter has made the dog available for owner redemption on one weekday evening until at least 7:00 p.m. or one weekend day, the holding period shall be four business days, not including the day of impoundment.

(2) If the pound or shelter has fewer than three full-time employees or is not open during all regular weekday business hours, and if it has established a procedure to enable owners to reclaim their dogs by appointment at a mutually agreeable time when the pound or shelter would otherwise be closed, the holding period shall be four business days, not including the day of impoundment. Except as provided in Section 17006, stray dogs shall be held for owner redemption during the first three days of the holding period, not including the day of impoundment, and shall be available for owner redemption or adoption for the remainder of the holding period.

(3) Any stray dog that is impounded pursuant to this division shall, prior to the killing of that animal for any reason other than irremediable suffering, be released to a nonprofit, as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, animal rescue or adoption organization if requested by the organization prior to the scheduled killing of that animal. In addition to any required spay or neuter deposit, the pound or shelter, at its discretion, may assess a fee, not to exceed the standard adoption fee, for animals released.