Owning a pet comes with many responsibilities: providing basic care, taking them to the vet and getting their shots. Some government agencies even require the owner to get the animal registered in the city in which the pet will reside.
In New Albany, all pets are required to be registered with the city.
According to Ordinance 2013-91, which is posted on the New Albany-Floyd County Animal Shelter website, when someone owns or has custody of a dog or cat within the city, they must obtain a license within 15 days of ownership. Licenses are valid for a year. If a person is not eligible for a license, they cannot own a dog or a cat.
However, cats and dogs are not the only animals that must be registered. According the ordinance, exotic animals as defined in the chapter must be registered with the Animal Shelter, much like cats and dogs.
Not only must pets be registered, but the owner of the animal has to fill out an application. The registration process is simple–and can be found easily on the shelter’s website–the owner would need to download, print, and fill out the application from the website, and mail it to the shelter along with the fees for the license.
According to Marilee Snider, Adoption Coordinator at the NAFC center and shelter, “they (the applicant) would need to come down with proof of rabies, and residence in Floyd County.” Snider also said that the applicant would need to bring proof of the animals’ spay or neuter, as well as their microchip information if applicable.
However, if the pet is fixed and/or microchipped, applicants can opt to apply for a lifetime license/registration, which does not require a yearly renewal.The lifetime license costs a one-time fee of $25. If the pet has been deemed dangerous, the fee is $100. If the pet is altered –spayed or neutered– the fee is $5 and has to be renewed yearly. If the pet is unaltered, the fee is $35 and must also be renewed. The lifetime license is best for those who plan to remain a resident of the area.
There are multiple reasons why pet owners should get their animals licensed. Not only are they protecting their pets, but if a pet were to get lost or run away, its license can help in returning the pet to its owner. If the animal is found, and turned in, the owner can easily be looked up and contacted by the license on their tag, if the pet is not microchipped.
Students agree on the subject, as many want to keep their pets safe.
“I think that it’s important for your pets to be registered because if they get lost or stolen then they will be in the system and you can find them,” Jessica Spalding, undeclared freshman, said. “Or if they were to bite someone then their records would be updated and you can show that they have their shots and don’t have rabies or anything.”
Most pets do not come with a license, especially puppies .In many instances the owner may have gotten the animal in a different city or county. In cases like these, the pet would need to be re-registered in the area in which it is going to reside. Typically, pets that get adopted will be registered, but if the new owner lives in a different county, the pet would need to be registered again in the correct area as well.
Though some may think they can get by without registering their pets, there are penalties for not doing so.
Section 91.99 of the ordinance also lists some of the official penalties for failure to license an animal, such as: when someone receives a citation, they have twenty-four hours to correct the violation or they may be subject to additional penalties. The animal may also be subject to impoundment. A first offender in a violation of any provision can be fined no less than $50 and no more than $200.
“You can receive citations for not having your animal license,” Snider said. “All cats have to have one, and all dogs within the city limits. Court citations can be given (if you do not have a license) along with monetary (fees).”
