OGDEN -- The city has implemented a new door-to-door compliance program aimed at reducing the number of unlicensed dogs and cats.
About 45 licenses have been issued since the program started last month, said Alene Evans, the city's code enforcement supervisor.
Animal control employees have been visiting the homes of people whose pet licenses have expired and neighborhoods where there have been excessive reports of dogs and cats running at large.
Pet owners can have their pet licensed if they have a rabies shot verification and the pet is microchipped on the spot, or they can make arrangements during visits to obtain licenses later.
Only a few dog and cat owners who have not followed through with licensing agreements have been issued tickets as a result of the door-to-door program, Evans said.
"People have been really responsible and willing to come in and get licensed," she said. "We've gotten really good community support."
It is estimated that only about 20 percent of dogs and 5 percent of cats in the city are licensed, Evans said.
Mayor Matthew Godfrey described the door-to-door program as an innovative way to ensure that pet owners are treated equally in terms of licensing.
"Our goal is to be fair," he said.
Bert Kopinitz, who lives at 2738 Brinker Ave., said animal control employees came to his home Thursday and inquired if he has pets that are licensed. He told them his two cats were properly licensed, but he didn't have time to provide documentation because he was on his way to work.
"If they are going to go around and ask for animal licenses, they should give you a heads-up in advance," Kopinitz said, adding that he supports licensing.
All dogs, cats and ferrets must be licensed every year by the city. A current rabies vaccination is required at the time of licensing, and ferrets must be microchipped.
Licensing and microchipping is necessary to ensure that pets running at large are returned to their owners, Evans said.
"There are really nice pets that have to be taken to the shelter that we feel bad about because we can't locate their owners," she said.
Pet licenses can be purchased at the city cashier's office in the Ogden Municipal Building, 2549 Washington Blvd., Suite 221, or the city's Parks and Recreation Building, 1875 Monroe Blvd.
* Dogs: $30 if unaltered, $10 if sterile.
* Cats: $20 if unaltered, $5 if sterile.
* Ferrets: $5, microchip required.
* Dangerous dogs: $50 and must be sterile.
Rabies vaccination is required for all animals.
Source: Ogden city
Comments