|
Lee County Implements New Pet License Schedule
Jan 1, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Lee County Implements New Pet License Schedule for 2007! Fort Myers, Florida, 12/27/2006-Beginning in January Lee County pet owners can purchase a pet license for their dog or cat that will coincide with the duration of the pet's rabies vaccination. Until now pets could receive a one-year or three-year vaccination but owners could only purchase a one-year license. In August County Commissioners updated the County's animal control ordinance allowing pet licenses to expire when the rabies vaccination expires. The change will go into effect January 1, 2007. Rabies is a fatal virus and is transmissible between all warm-blooded mammals including humans. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are required by Florida State law to be vaccinated against rabies between three to four months of age. All first-time rabies vaccinations are good for one year. Subsequent vaccinations may be valid for one or three years according to Florida law depending on the type of vaccine administered. In the past all licenses, which are required by law in Lee County as proof of vaccination, were valid for one year regardless of whether a one-year or three-year vaccine was given. Now licenses will expire on the date that the vaccination expires. The ordinance update also took steps to eliminate the confusion created by private rabies tags being issued by veterinarians. Lee County Animal Services reports that when pet owners have been contacted regarding past due licenses many indicated they received their pet license from their veterinarian when they actually had received a privately issued rabies tag instead. County officials feel that changing the rules to prohibit private rabies vaccination tags will alleviate the confusion. A Lee County pet license is the only tag required by law – it serves as both a rabies vaccination tag and pet registration tag for the County. Licenses may be purchased from Lee County Animal Services or from several veterinarians who offer them for sale as a service to their clientele. The following is the new license fee schedule beginning January 1st: One-year license for puppies and kittens under one year of age - $8 One-year license for sterilized pets - $8 Three-year license for sterilized pets - $15 One-year license for unsterilized pets - $35 Three-year license for unsterilized pets - $65 Failure to vaccinate dogs, cats, and ferrets also carries a stiff civil penalty of up to $500 per violation. Lee County Animal Services estimates that only half of the estimate 126,000 dogs and one-fifth of the estimated 294,000 cats in Lee County are currently vaccinated for rabies. The agency will continue its initiative to reduce the number of unvaccinated pets in 2007 with a zero tolerance/mandatory failure to vaccinate citation. A $25 late fee in addition to the cost of the license is also assessed for licenses more than 30 days past due. Past due license fees are collectable for up to three years. Lee County Animal Services provides animal control services throughout Lee County and operates an animal shelter to house stray and abandoned domestic animals. It also administers low-cost spay/neuter programs, educational initiatives, and rabies and bite case control programs. The shelter is located off Six Mile Cypress Parkway next to the Lee County Sheriff's Dept. For information regarding vaccinations or legal requirements call 432-2083 or visit Lee County Animal Services' online at www.LeeLostPets.com. Photos of lost of pets and pets available for adoption also may be viewed online.
|