SECTIONS 1844-1847 - California Statutes

CIVIL CODE

SECTION 1844-1847

1844. Gratuitous deposit is a deposit for which the depositary
receives no consideration beyond the mere possession of the thing
deposited.

1845. An involuntary deposit is gratuitous, the depositary being
entitled to no reward. However, an involuntary depositary of any live
animal may accept advertised rewards or rewards freely offered by
the owner of the animal.

1846. (a) A gratuitous depositary must use, at least, slight care
for the preservation of the thing deposited.
(b) A gratuitous depositary of a living animal shall provide the
animal with necessary and prompt veterinary care, adequate nutrition
and water, and shelter, and shall treat it humanely and, if the
animal has any identification, make reasonable attempts to notify the
owner of the animal's location. Any gratuitous depositary that does
not have sufficient resources or desire to provide that care shall
promptly turn the animal over to an appropriate care facility.
(c) If the gratuitous depositary of a living animal is a public
pound, shelter operated by a society for the prevention of cruelty to
animals, or humane shelter, the depositary shall comply with all
other requirements of the Food and Agricultural Code regarding the
impounding of live animals.

1847. The duties of a gratuitous depositary cease:
(a) Upon restoration by the depositary of the thing deposited to
its owner.
(b) Upon reasonable notice given by the depositary to the owner to
remove it, and the owner failing to do so within a reasonable time.
But an involuntary depositary, under subdivision (b) of Section 1815,
may not give notice until the emergency that gave rise to the
deposit is past. This subdivision shall not apply to a public pound,
a shelter operated by a society for the prevention of cruelty to
animals, or a humane shelter. The duty to provide care, as required
by Section 1846, continues until the public pound or private shelter
is lawfully relieved of responsibility for the animal.