Dog license? Do you have them? Do you agree?

Question

Where I live my city requires that we license our dogs once a year. Any intact dog is $50/year, any nutered/spayed dog is $15/year.

Loads of people I know refuse to license their dogs... why is that? I asked the shelter people what was so important about licensing and they said it was used as a way to make sure people are keeping up with their animal's vaccinations AND to make sure people are not exceeding their alotted ratio of pets (we're allowed 3 cats and 2 dogs per address. The most important thing they said was that if my dogs ever got accused of biting whether it be on the street or on my property, I wouldn't have to scramble to find their rabies records because it's all on file with the city.

I guess my question is -- why wouldn't you license your pet? How often / how much is your licensing?

My dogs wear 3 id's on their collars - ID tag, License & Avid ID.

In so far as what do they do about too many pets, they simply won't adopt out anymore animals to you if you've exceeded your maximum.

I'm relying much more on the Avid (microchip) to return the girls home should they ever be lost.

The shelter also told me that if the girls ever bite OUTSIDE our city, they won't have to be taken to a strange shelter, they would be returned home right away.

I see no reason not to license, just wondering why some people are against it. I see no 'con's.

Answer 1

I definitly see your points, and i agree there are numerous reasons why dogs should be registered/licenced. From chatting with many different kinds of dog owners, I gathered that the number one reason that people chose not to licence their dogs has nothing to do with carelessness or not wanting to spend the money. Instead, people seem to feel it is a privacy issue. They feel the city has no right to know what kind of dogs, how many, etc they have on their property. I guess it goes back to North American's loving freedom and being against anything that smells of Big Brother. The benefits of registering you dog are not enought to overcome the privacy issues (for example, you can just go buy an indetification tag from the pet store and you will be more likely to have your dog returned in case of an emergancy).

Answer 2

At $50 a year I wouldn't either!!! Where I live is only $9. And yes I have a license on my dog. I also think cats should be licensed once a year just like the dogs. I think if they reduce your fee then more people would have them licensed.

Answer 3

There is no way I would license my dogs. It is none of the governments business whether I
1. have more than 2-3 dogs
2. give my dogs all the shots *they* think I should (I don't give lepto or bordatella)
3. have a litter of puppies
4. have spayed/neutered all my dogs (required at 4 months of age in some places)
5. Whether I believe in chipping or not

I would rather stay under the radar of the city, animal control (out of control and love to seize dogs in some areas), and the AR lunatics. Licensing is nothing but trouble.

After reading the other answers, you people need to wake up and smell the anti-dog laws being passed all over our country.

Answer 4

Yes, we have dog licensing where we live. I think most of the US, Canada, much of Europe and other parts of the world require dog licensing now. Another good reason to license your dog is that it makes it much easier to get your dog back if she gets lost. Our licensing costs $15 and $25 and is renewed every year. Licensing your pet is part of being a responsible pet owner.

Answer 5

The license in our county just give the name and address and type of breed dog.. they don't have all the shot records on file with it. And its a flat rate of $30 per dog. I don't have my dog registered because he never gets out w/o his leash. (we live on the 2nd floor in an apartment building with a secured main entry way) We have 3 ID's on him too... 2 w/name and phone number and 1 with his ID chip info. BTW, all dogs have to be licensed once they reach 8 weeks of age here too!

I think its just a way for the county to help subsidize the cost of running the shelter and dealing with strays.

when we lived in a reg house and our dogs had the run of the yard we got them licensed so if they ever got out, the county could get in touch with us.. and write us a ticket. thank goodness they never got out.

Answer 6

I have no idea, but they don't have it in my area. I honestly don't see a downside. It isn't like $50 a year will really put you out, it is kinda incentive to have the dog fixed, so you pay less. I wish they would start that program down here. Can't ever be too safe, especially not with pups. My dog is spayed, up to date on shots and chipped, I wish I could register her.

Answer 7

We can't use the dog park with out a license or rabies tags.
$15 a yr. for a lot of fun.

Answer 8

No dogs should not be licensed. People should be licensed.
Why should irresponsible people own dogs, they starve and abuse them.If the person was licensed to purchase a dog we would have less abandonment all dogs would be id with chip or tattoo.

Answer 9

it is going to be easy animal rights. All cats and dogs could desire to be spayed and nuetered in the previous offered, and doggy generators could desire to be banned. people who acquire a license and breed healthful animals in healthful, attentive situations could desire to be the only ones breeding 2 uncomplicated pets who're already uncontrolled and costing us a lot and a lot of money daily, all mutually as suffering.

Answer 10

where i live it's only 19 bucks for the license and i do it mostly cause if she ever runs away and gets picked up from the dog warden they'll call me first i dont' know why people don't do it