Being a dog owner comes with a lot of responsibilities. Walking them, giving them water and nutritional food, keeping them supplied with toys, playing with them, and taking them to the vet for check-ups are all key pieces in keeping your pup safe, happy, and healthy. However, one duty that many dog owners forget about or neglect is getting their dogs licensed. A pet license simply means that a pet is legally registered within their state to live with their owners and in their residence. This license will provide your dog with protection in many situations and will provide you both with some benefits. But if you don’t know many details about a pet license, you may be a bit hesitant to go through with the process. Here are some reasons why you should license your dog, brought to you by our experts in puppy training.
In Many Places, It's the Law
In most states, though you may not even realize it, it’s actually mandated by law that dog owners have their dogs licensed. And if you and your pup get caught without a license (which can and does happen: you could get asked to show your dog’s license while you’re out on a walk, playing in the park, or running around at the beach) you may get penalized with a substantial fine. And it’s not enough to get it done just once; dogs must have their licenses renewed each year and must have them on display at all times. If you fail to renew the license, it’s essentially the same as never getting it in the first place. Make sure you know your local pet licensing laws and follow them well!
It's Cheaper Than Being Caught Without a License
The average price of an annual dog license is $10 to $30 (depending on the town or city in which you live), which is far less than the citation for being caught without one. If a city official asks you to present your dog’s license and finds you without one, you could be obligated to pay anywhere from $250 to $300 in fines. This fee can be raised even higher if your dog is deemed to have been dangerous or a threat to anyone at the time. Paying annually for your pup’s license is a small price in comparison, and some owners may also be eligible for discounts that can further lower the cost! For example, service dogs are usually able to acquire a license for free, breeders and owners of multiple pets can apply for a “kennel license” that is applicable to all their dogs (within a certain number), and in a few regions the cost will be lowered if your dog has been spayed or neutered.
The Fees Support Animal Shelters
If you feel that shelling out the annual payment for your dog’s license is a waste of money, it may surprise you to hear exactly where that money will end up. Fees usually go toward city or city-affiliated animal shelters for maintenance and feeding stray dogs, veterinary and other animal care services, spay/neuter programs, and the salaries of animal control officers.
It Could Help Your Dog If They Get Lost
If your dog gets lost, a license provides them with identification. This highly increases the chances of them getting back to you. If animal control or an animal shelter finds your pup wandering the streets, they will be able to quickly identify them through the license number and get into contact with you to bring them home. Even if they cannot immediately find you, licensed dogs are kept longer at shelters while they attempt to reach the owner. The sad reality is that unlicensed dogs could possibly be euthanized in as little as three days due to overpopulation regulations and the inability to know if the dog has an owner or is a stray. A license tells officers and shelters that your dog has a family who is looking for them and gives them the ability to reunite you.
Licensing Indicates That You're up to Date with Vaccinations
A dog cannot be licensed before it is correctly vaccinated. In order to license your pup, you must be able to provide proof that they are up to date on their vaccinations, such as the rabies vaccination, which can be dangerous (possibly even fatal) for humans and other animals. Not only will this keep your dog in good health, but it will also once again be a big benefit for anyone who comes in contact with them–if animal control were to approach your lost pet, they’ll know that your dog is safe and healthy to approach.
Now that you know some of the biggest reasons why you should get your dog licensed, you can head to your nearest licensing department if you haven’t already. Or, if you aren’t able to head down in person, the process can be made even simpler by choosing the option to apply for a license by mail, which many cities offer. If your license has expired, it can usually be renewed online.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Contact Dog Training Elite today for professional dog obedience training services to help your pup be even safer, we're happy to help!
