It is the duty of every person owning or having in possession, within the city limits of Grove, any dog, cat, potbellied pig, domestic rabbit or ferret over the age of four (4) months, to obtain a license from the city clerk and to pay the licensing fee herein provided.
A. The licensing requirement shall not apply to the following animals:
1. Animals being used by law enforcement agencies for law enforcement purposes;
2. Animals belonging to visitors traveling through the city, while such animal is with its owner or keeper.
B. The annual licensing fees herein provided shall be as follows:
1. Five dollars ($5.00) for each dog, cat, potbellied pig, domestic rabbit or ferret which has been spayed or neutered;
2. Ten dollars ($10.00) for each dog, cat, potbellied pig, domestic rabbit or ferret which has not been spayed or neutered;
a. If a dog, cat, potbellied pig, domestic rabbit or ferret owner provides proof from a veterinarian that their animal has been spayed or neutered within thirty (30) days of issuance of their license, a five dollar ($5.00) refund will be provided. (Ord. 686, 8-5-2014, eff. retroactive to 7-1-2014)
3. No charge for the following animals:
a. Service Animal:
(1) Service animal as defined herein shall be exempt from the license fee upon owner providing an affidavit that certifies the dog is a qualified service animal.
b. Therapy Animal:
(1) Therapy animal as defined herein shall be exempt from the license fee upon owner providing an affidavit that certifies the animal is a qualified therapy animal. (Ord. 712, 10-20-2015)
c. Older Or Ill Health Animals:
(1) Animals unable to be spayed or neutered without a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death due to age or infirmity. Written confirmation from a licensed veterinarian is required to qualify for this exception.
C. Prior to licensing, the owner, keeper or harborer of each dog, cat or ferret must provide:
1. Proof of current rabies vaccination by a licensed veterinarian (vaccination must remain current during the licensing period of July 1 through June 30 of the licensing year);
2. Proof of animal being spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian (to be allowed to pay the reduced fee);
3. Proof of documentation of qualifying intact animal (to be allowed to pay the reduced fee).
D. Prior to licensing, the owner, keeper, or harborer of each potbellied pig or domestic rabbit must provide:
1. Proof of current certificate of examination from a licensed veterinarian certifying the animal is free from infectious diseases (certificate must remain current during the licensing period of July 1 through June 30 of the licensing year);
2. Proof of animal being spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian (to be allowed to pay the reduced fee).
E. The City Clerk shall furnish the registrant, at the time of registration, with a tag which shall be securely and visibly attached to the collar of the dog, cat, potbellied pig or domestic rabbit. Tags for ferrets should be kept in a secure, readily available location associated with the ferret.
F. The license shall be renewed/purchased and the license fee shall be paid annually on or before July 1 for each dog, cat, ferret, potbellied pig or domestic rabbit; for any animal which first becomes subject to licensing on or after December 1, the license fee shall be reduced to one-half (1/2) of the annual fee as hereto established by Council.
G. If a valid license tag is lost or destroyed, a new tag will be issued for one dollar ($1.00). (Ord. 686, 8-5-2014, eff. retroactive to 7-1-2014)