A. Vaccinations: All dogs and cats shall be vaccinated as required by state law. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to comply with the regulations prescribed by the New Mexico Department of Health. Dogs and cats over the age of four (4) months must be vaccinated against rabies and so tagged by a licensed veterinarian. Upon demand by the animal control officer, municipal police, or duly authorized designee, the owner or his or her agent or representative must present evidence or certificate of vaccination for dogs and cats owned by him or her.
B. Licensing: Any person harboring or maintaining any dog or cat over the age of six (6) months shall obtain a license for each such dog or cat. Persons who are visiting or temporarily remaining within the city for less than thirty (30) consecutive days shall be exempt from this licensing requirement. Licenses may be issued only by the animal control officer, municipal police, or duly authorized designee. Licenses shall expire one (1) year after the date of issuance of the license. The animal control officer, municipal police, or duly authorized designee shall keep a record of all licenses issued. A current rabies vaccination certificate shall be presented at the time of application for the license.
1. Affixing Tags: A current license tag number shall be affixed to the licensed dog or cat at all times in a reasonable manner.
2. Fees: The annual license fee shall be three dollars ($3.00) for each neutered or spayed dog or cat, and ten dollars ($10.00) for each unspayed or unneutered dog or cat. Any person seeking to obtain a license for a neutered or spayed dog or cat shall furnish written proof from a licensed veterinarian that such dog or cat has been neutered or spayed. In the event a tag is lost, a replacement tag shall be obtained for a charge of one dollar ($1.00). Each kennel or petshop with ten (10) dogs or more in possession shall pay an annual fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) in lieu of licensing individual dogs, and such fee will cover all dogs kept by such business during the year.
3. Breeder Fees: The owner who intentionally or unintentionally breeds dogs or cats must have a current hobby breeder's license or shall pay a litter fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each litter. The twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fee may be refunded at the time proof of sterilization of the female dog or cat is submitted and verified by the animal control officer, municipal police, or duly authorized designee but no later than two (2) months from the time the female dog or cat delivers a litter. Each hobby breeder shall pay an annual fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) in lieu of fees for individual litters, and such fee will cover all litters during the calendar year. An owner shall not advertise, sell, barter, exchange, or give away any dogs or cats within the city boundaries unless the litter fee is displayed legibly. An owner shall furnish the litter fee or hobby breeder permit number to any prospective recipient requesting the number. Each hobby breeder shall be subject to the regulations of this chapter and the regulations set out in title 3 and title 10 of this code. (Ord. 2006-06, 4-18-2006)