North Dakota Century Code Title 43. Occupations and Professions § 43-29-16.1. Abandonment of animals by client--Disposal of remains

1. Any animal placed in the custody of a veterinarian for treatment, boarding, or other care, which is abandoned by the client for a period of more than ten days after a written notice, by registered or certified letter, return receipt requested, is mailed to the client at the last-known address, may be turned over to the custody of the nearest humane society or pound in the area or disposed of as such custodian may deem proper.

2. The service of notice to the client, of such animal by the veterinarian, as provided in subsection 1, shall relieve the veterinarian and any custodian to whom such animal may be given of any further liability for disposal. Such procedure by the veterinarian does not constitute grounds for disciplinary procedure under this chapter.

3. For the purpose of this section, the term “abandoned” means to forsake entirely or to neglect or refuse to provide or perform the care and support of an animal by the client; such abandonment constitutes the relinquishment of all rights and claim by the owner of such animal.

4. Any animal remains that are left in the possession of a veterinarian and have not been claimed by the client for a period of more than ten days after a written notice, by registered or certified letter, return receipt requested, is mailed to the client at the last-known address, may be disposed of by the veterinarian as deemed proper.