By Staff
CASSOPOLIS – Meet Chip. No, he isn't up for adoption at your local animal shelter, he's the No. 1 dog in Cass County for 2009.
Cass County Treasurer Linda Irwin wants dog owners in Cass County to be watching their mailboxes for dog license renewal forms.
"Forms are being mailed out the week of Dec. 1 and should be in the hands of dog owners by Friday," Irwin said Wednesday.
Renewing your license or purchasing one for the first time is easy.
Dog licenses are on sale at the county Treasurer's Office, the Animal Shelter, township treasurers' offices, Dowagiac city treasurer's office and the following veterinarian offices: Bergman Veterinarian Medical Center in Cassopolis, Center for Animal Health in Edwardsburg, Crossroads Veterinary Clinic in Three Rivers, Dowagiac Animal Hospital in Dowagiac, East Shore Animal Hospital in Edwardsburg, The Gentle Doctor (formerly County Line Animal Clinic) in Niles, Kryder Veterinary Clinic in Granger, Ind., and Town and Country Veterinary Clinic in Niles.
Licenses cost $10 for altered (spayed or neutered) dogs and puppies between the age of 4 and 6 months.
Licenses for dogs that are not altered cost $25.
"License fees are the same as they've been since 2006," says Irwin. "We are especially pleased veterinarians continue to sell our licenses as a convenience to our dog owners. It would be helpful to us if a dog owner purchases a license at their veterinarian's office that they also give the renewal form to their vet."
In addition to the listed points of sale, individuals may mail their renewal forms back to the Treasurer's Office along with a check for the correct amount and their license will be processed and mailed back to them.
Dog owners are reminded their dogs need to be current on rabies.
If your form shows an expired rabies vaccination, you'll need to show proof the vaccination is current to purchase a license.
Dog license fees are used to offset the cost of the operation of the Animal Shelter and enforcement of the Cass County Dog Ordinance.
Last year dog license sales totaled $138,419.18.