Any person owning, keeping, harboring or having custody, maximum of six pets per residence, six months of age or older must obtain a license each year as provided in this section. The licensing period for dogs shall begin with the calendar year January 1st each year through December 31st. No citation shall be issued for failure to license animals until two weeks after the lapse of a previous valid license.
A. Application for a license is to be made to the city finance office within twenty (20) days after obtaining a dog from the age of six months or older, except that this requirement will not apply to a nonresident keeping a dog within the city limits for less than thirty (30) days. Applicant shall warrant that the animal is not vicious, and will not be permitted to run at large.
B. Upon acceptance of the license application, fee, and veterinarian's certificate that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies and distemper/parvo as required by veterinarian standards, the licensing authority shall issue a durable tag or identification collar, stamped with an identifying number and year of issuance. Tags should be designed so that they may be conveniently fastened or riveted to the animal's collar or harness. Dogs must wear identification tags on collars at all times when off the premises of the owners. Every owner of a licensed cat shall be required to produce evidence of license issued for such cat upon request by the animal control officer, law enforcement office, and/or city employee.
C. The licensing authority shall maintain a record of the identifying numbers of all tags issued and shall make this record available to the public.
D. Persons who fail to obtain a license as required within the time period specified in this section may be subject to a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) (first offense).
E. A license shall be issued after payment of the applicable fee:
1. For each non-neutered male animal: twenty-five dollars ($25.00);
2. For each non-spayed female animal: twenty-five dollars ($25.00);
3. For each neutered male or spayed female animal (certified by a veterinarian's certificate or receipt): seven dollars ($7.00);
4. For each neutered male or spayed female animal that has been microchipped (certified by a veterinarian's certificate or receipt): two dollars ($2.00).
F. A duplicate license may be obtained upon payment of a one-dollar ($1.00) replacement fee upon proof of a license record.
G. If there is a change of ownership of an animal during the licensed year, the new owner may have the current license transferred in his or her name upon application to the city finance office.
H. A veterinarian office, a humane society, a pet store, kennel, or the animal control officer shall be exempt from licensing of impounded/boarded or saleable animals. (Ord. 749, 2014; Ord. 640 (part), 2007: Ord. 636 (part), 2006)