Purpose of licensing pets

Requiring owners to leave their pets and stand on line at City Hall to apply for a license seems cruel and unusual. Indeed, it is a major deterrent. Though 51 percent of dog and cat owners polled think that obtaining a pet license is nice in theory, only around 16 percent actually do. GovPilot can give compliance percentages a much-needed boost!

Pet owners enter their information, pay and hit submit —no trips to City Hall or snail mail involved! GovPilot automated workflows ensure seamless processing and a quick turnaround, so applicants can spend less time waiting for approval and more time playing with their new pet! When fined for owning a pet without a license, many owners claim that they were unaware of the local pet license mandate.

Once clicked, the button leads to the digital application, eliminating any mystery and clearing-up any confusion. Though some cities will charge a release fee that covers this as well. With a little luck, your dog may never got lost or require the services of animal control in its lifetime. Licensing encourages proper pet care - registration costs are significantly lower when your dog is spayed or neutered.

It's also impossible to have your dog registered unless they are regularly vaccinated for rabies and other illnesses required by your municipality. Avoiding fines - it's against the law to have an unlicensed pet, and you can face significant fines if you are caught with an unlicensed animal. Most city governments require dog and sometimes cat owners to register their pets with a database , much like a car. In order to obtain a license, many times the only requirement is that the animal be up-to-date on his rabies vaccinations , though regulations vary from state to state.

While in public, many places require that a license tag be attached to a dog's collar with his ID number displayed. In addition to having a microchip , should your pet get lost, bystanders may be more likely to approach him if they see a license tag — which can lead to a speedy return to safety.

A current license can also help your pet avoid a traumatizing trip to the shelter, saving both time and resources. A license can also help a lost dog receive lifesaving treatment.

Some have the authority to sell licenses. Otherwise, you may have to bring your pet's proof of rabies vaccination to the local animal control department. You can usually purchase a license and tags through your local animal control department. A municipality may charge more if your pet is not spayed or neutered — sometimes double the price.

This is because overpopulation is a serious issue, so people who don't spay or neuter should pay more to help cover the cost of taking care of unwanted animals. The fees usually go toward city or city-affiliated shelters, veterinary care, as well as to help pay the salaries of the animal control officers. A license must be renewed each year. In cities that require annual rabies vaccinations, the renewal date may correspond with the date of the rabies vaccination.

For areas that allow rabies vaccination every 3 years, the license must be renewed annually with proof of when your dog was vaccinated. Usually, dogs and cats aged 2 or 3 months must wear license tags some cities require a juvenile tag for pets 2 to 4 months, then require an adult tag after that. Special tags may be required for trained guard dogs. Many people believe that it is wrong to require a license for indoor cats that never go outside.

Animal control offers counter that any pet can escape her home.