Only a Few Days Left to Buy 2010 Dog Licenses Before Deadline
Columbus, Ohio—- January 11, 2010—- “If you own a dog, you need to buy a license, period.” That is the message from Franklin County Animal Care and Control. Last year nearly 10,000 lost or stray dogs were brought to the Franklin County Dog Shelter, and most of those were unlicensed. About 90% of those stray dogs came in with absolutely no license or identification to help Animal Control locate their owners.
Dog licenses must be renewed annually by January 31. State law requires all dogs over three months old to be licensed. Dogs in Franklin County must first be immunized against rabies by a licensed veterinarian before a license can be purchased. The license fee is $24 per dog, however fees are discounted to $12 for dogs who have been spayed or neutered. After February 1 late fees apply and fees double for all dogs owned more than 30 days. Licenses can be purchased by mail, or at the Franklin County Auditor’s office in the county courthouse on Front Street, at the Franklin County Dog Shelter, the Capital Area Humane Society, and at various other locations. Licenses may also be renewed on-line by clicking on the link on our web site: http://www.FranklinCountyDogs.com
Dog owners need to purchase a license for their dog and make sure it’s attached to the dog’s collar at all times. There are more than 100,000 legally licensed dogs in Franklin County, but Animal Control estimates that there are potentially 90,000 more unlicensed dogs in the county, or about one out of every two dogs. Reducing the number of unlicensed dogs impacts the number of homeless dogs we have to find new homes for.
Reducing the number of unlicensed dogs in the county could significantly reduce the number of unclaimed stray dogs at the space-challenged shelter.
Many strays come in wearing a collar, but no license or ID tag. Unclaimed strays with no tags are evaluated for possible adoption after just three days, the legally mandated holding period. Unclaimed dogs are evaluated physically and behaviorally, spayed or neutered and put up for adoption. Others may go to rescue groups or foster homes.
In addition to breaking the law, unlicensed dogs create a serious financial impact on the operation of the shelter. The dog shelter relies on fees generated annually by license sales to pay for many of the services provided to the community, including lost dog and adoption services. Owners with unlicensed dogs are just not contributing their fair share toward funding the shelter, and all those unclaimed unlicensed dogs cost the county money to feed, house, provide medical treatment for and adopt out.
Lost dogs wearing a current dog license may never actually visit the shelter at all. Animal Control officers can simply call in the tag number to look up the owner’s name and address and return the dog directly to the owner, saving the county the trouble and expense of housing the dog at the shelter. Private citizens who find a dog can also look up the owner of any licensed dog online at FranklinCountyDogs.com or by calling the Department of Animal Control.
Focus is on educating the public about the importance of licensing your dog. This year the Department of Animal Care & Control used billboards reminding people it’s time to buy their license, in addition to distributing posters to all veterinarians, pet supply stores, doggie daycares, grooming salons, boarding kennels and dog parks in the county.
Deputy Wardens are conducting random license checks in neighborhoods all around town throughout the month. Owners of dogs displaying an expired 2009 tag will get a friendly reminder to renew before January 31. Owners of unlicensed dogs will get a ticket.
Franklin County Dog Shelter is the largest county shelter in Ohio. Last year the shelter took in nearly 12,000 dogs and puppies, including all stray dogs in the county as well as owner surrenders and unwanted litters of puppies.
# #
Posted by on 01/26 at 03:47 PM-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments
I want other people to know about this because I guarantee you, people would not want to take their animal to a vet who murders animals. I was able to download a photo of the veterinarian off the animal hospitals Web site and I am using to make a poster. banner printing
Posted by wcm123 on 03/02 at 03:10 AM-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 1 of 1 pagesPlease post any comments below. Comments are currently moderated for users who are not registered members of the site. Registration is free. Click Here! to register and start posting comments in real time!
Next entry: Group Trying to Ban Dog Auctions in Ohio
Previous entry: Granville Resident Wins National Train-Your-Dog-Month Award
