Ugh! Found Dog but now License Fee???

[dolphin]

Yesterday we had a horrible wind/sand storm. You couldn't see anything! I guess something hit the gate and made it open so of course my doggies had to take off. I was taking a nap when all this happend. I found my younger dog quickly at the neighbors yard smelling around their dogs but my 14 yr. old dog, Pepe, had disappeared. We were sure he found someplace to ride out the storm as he hates the winds. We searced for over an hour before it got dark and then my gf drove me all around looking for him this morning, and nothing.

I got a call about an hour ago and the animal shelter had picked him up. He didn't have on a collar because of his throat surgery this last summer and because, well, he never gets out of our fenced yard, (yeah right) so I had called and given them a description. He was found 2 streets over from our house. I think he would have made it home since the wind isn't so bad now but I am thankful that he is ok.

Now, dh has to go pick him up at the shelter after work. What we didn't know is that our town has a Dog License requirement. It will cost us $48.00 to get our dog back!!!!! We don't live in the city limits (we live 12 miles from town) and we have a fenced yard and we don't have dangerous animals. Why do we have to pay a dog license fee? Is it to pay for the shelter? If that's the case then that's ok since we do depend on them alot to pick up stray animals but why so much? We sure didn't count on this expense but, oh well. Now I guess we will have to pay a fee for our other dog too.

Does anyone else have to pay a dog license fee?

[Missy]

yep, two dogs, every year. includes the ever so stylish rabies tags too.

[FrugalMomof3]

Yep our dogs are required to have a license and it's $8 a dog. I dont mind though cause they are worth it

[DAAC3DEC]

Every year, we pay a fee and we have to show proof of rabies shot. ( and if you don't have it in by a deadline, you pay another fine.... )

[DAAC3DEC]

p.s........glad you found them!!!!!!

[dolphin]

This is the first time we have ever had to buy a license for a dog! The town we lived in in MO didn't require that and neither did my home town in MO. But here in Nevada, I need one? It just amazes me. I have no clue why a dog would need to be licensed. I'm serious! Why? What is the purpose?

[Missy]

from what i understand, it makes it easier to match dog with owner, to monitor vaccinations being up to date, for dog bite cases, for dispute over dog ownership, etc etc etc.

[dolphin]

show proof of rabies shot

Awe, that would probably be the reason then. We take our dogs to the vet every couple of years even if they aren't sick to get those shots but must confess that we don't do it regulary since they ARE fenced in and not normally around other animals expcept fo the occasional escape trick. Gosh, growing up, it was unheard of to get shots for your dog, only rich people did that.

p.s........glad you found them!!!!!!

Thank you. It is such a relief. This dog has used up more than his proverbial 9 lives, lol. Poor DS said this morning, "I can't even burry my dog." thinking the worst had happend to him. He was so happy to hear he was found. He has been a member of our family since ds was 7.

[FreesiaE]

Yes, same here in KY. We get it done with our rabies vac. through the vets. I assume it is like a liscence for a car or a firearm. We know who the responsible party is if pup gets lost or attacks someone.

[dolphin]

from what i understand, it makes it easier to match dog with owner, to monitor vaccinations being up to date, for dog bite cases, for dispute over dog ownership, etc etc etc.

Thank you, that makes sense. Ya learn something everyday!

Hmmm, my neighbors have 5 dogs that are always snooping around my house and barking at me when I go to the mailbox. None have a collar. Wondering if they know about this license thing since they just moved here last year.

[Lori Biever-Launder]

Be glad it's relatively cheap. Since my bitch is intact (retired show dog) her license is $33.00 per YEAR. She has never had puppies and has never been out loose (I am a hyper-responsible owner) so she won't have puppies. However, as a shelter volunteer, I see how the average owners acre for their dogs and cats and how often the animals are pregnant and the owners haven't got a CLUE as to how they got that way or their intact males are torn up and have wandered MILES from home looking for a bitch or queen in season.

The fees cover our animal control officer here (the lone one we have) as well as helping to cover the shelter. IMHO, the money is well spent.

Good luck and I am glad you found your dogs safe and happy!

[Persimmon Lace]

We pay a fee, but the city decided not to tag and license the more "dangerous breeds"! Whatever, I think that is so stupid. Someone got bit not to long after they passed the fee and won a small claims against the city to pay for their doctor bills. Maybe that will change things!

[Neeley]

No license fee here - just must keep their rabies vaccinations up to date.

[AmeliaM]

Dog has to be licensed here($16 or $18 a yr) and all shots up to date. You can actually go online and look up the dogs number and find out where they live. Plus if something happens to the dog they know who to contact immediately. As soon as your dog was found you would have been called. My cat actually has a chip in her because I got her from a shelter. Though they don't need licenses (yet) just up to date on shots.


You also have to fig that at a glance if a dog has a collar( and you said they have neck issues than you can get them a harness instead)then they might interact fine. If a dog has no collar-they might be aggressive,abandoned...and they have no clue what their shot records are....which means if they can't find out who the owner is then there is extensive tests and shots given the animals...and some aren't good to double dose them.