Pet Licensing Deadline, March 15, Approaches

By on March 12, 2014

Every day, dogs, cats and other animals are brought into local Humane Societies as strays. Often, these pets have no collars, no identification tags, no microchips and no convenient note pinned to them saying, “I belong to…” This presents two problems for shelters: One, rescue and shelter organizations have to use resources to board, feed, clean and give medical care to these animals; and two, pets are away from owners and owners are without their pets. If only there were a solution to this problem…

Luckily, there is a very simple solution- pet licensing. Each year, thousands of animals would be returned to their owners and shelters could cut down on the amount of money and time spent on the care of stray animals if only pet owners would license their pets. There is, by the way, a reason for this little soapbox- the licensing deadline in Omaha and the surrounding area is March 15.

You may have seen television spots recently with an animal control officer and an animal telling you that the penalties are increasing for not licensing your pets. Why do Humane Societies use a sort of “scare tactic” when telling you that it is important to license your pet? Because of the noted problems seen above. Not licensing pets means more resources used on strays, more pets without a chance of returning home and owners being left without a beloved pet.

Penalties, all scaring aside, are increasing. Late licenses payments made March 16 through March 31 are doubled and capped at $100 per household. Late license payments submitted April 1 or later are subject to a $50 per pet penalty (capped at $100 per household) plus applicable license fees. Pet owners who do not voluntarily license could be subject to an additional $200 penalty fee. Also, if you are a habitual “pet loser,” your local shelter could find you guilty of being a bad pet parent and simply keep your animal in order to stop the problem of “jailing” your animal so often.

Licensing your pets is quite simple and can help you, your pets and local shelters avoid headaches. Click here to read information from the Nebraska Humane Society about licensing fees, processes and more. Below is a summary of information you’ll want to know before starting the licensing program here in Omaha.

Animals Required to Be Licensed:
Dogs and Cats

Age Requirement for License:
all dogs and cats 4 months and older

Time Period you may have a pet to be considered an owner:
30 days

New Residents have to license within:
30 days

Vaccinations Required for licensing:
Rabies—veterinary proof is required. (Owners may pay the licensing fee prior to obtaining a current rabies vaccination; however, the actual license tag will not be given to the owner until proof of current rabies vaccination is received. Owners have 30 days after paying the licensing fee to vaccinate their animal or the late fee will apply.)

Breeds Requiring Insurance: All American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Dogo Argentinas, Cane Corsos, Presa Canarios, American Bulldogs or dogs displaying a majority of physical traits of one or more of these breeds needs to show proof of $100,000 public liability insurance in order to license.

Dog License Fees:
$51 intact / $26 altered
(*Veterinary proof of spay/neuter is required to license at the lower rate.

Cat License Fees:
$51 intact / $13 altered
(*Veterinary proof of spay/neuter is required to license at the lower rate.)

Seeing Eye/Service Animal Fees:
Free

Licensing Due Dates:
Licenses are due January 1 and delinquent after March 15 of each year. Licenses are good for one year beginning January 1.

Animals Required to Wear Tags:
Dogs and Cats who are not microchipped and all dogs who have been deemed by Animal Control as “Potentially Dangerous” or  “Dangerous”.

Lost Tags:
You can request replacement tags by coming into the shelter in person, or you can send your personal information, pets name, and a $10 replacement fee to:

NHS replacement tag
8929 Fort Street
Omaha, Ne 68134

*License fees are a non refundable city fee. In the event that your pet is deceased, you may transfer the license to a new pet.

You can license your pets online as well. Below is a link you can follow to do just that. Also, if you have any problems, see below for contact information.

TO LICENSE YOUR PETS ONLINE CLICK HERE

NOTE: If you are having trouble licensing on line or simply wish to license by mail click on the link below to print an application. If you need additional information concerning pet licenses, please call 402-444-6716 or email licensing@nehumanesociety.org.

Licensing is quite simple and can help alleviate many problems local Humane Societies have with the constant influx of stray animals. Do your duty as a pet owner! If your animal is not licensed, chipped or otherwise able to be returned home via identification, help yourself, your pets and your local Humane Societies by performing your job as a pet owner.

Image credit: cityofmilton.net

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