Heads up Jackson County Dog Owners!!
Some recent changes have been made in Jackson County in regards to the licensing requirements of dogs and our role as veterinarians. I wanted to make sure that our clients are aware of this change so there are no surprises at your next veterinary visit. Though we at Jacksonville Veterinary Hospital may disagree with this change, like other veterinarians in the County, we will now be required to report.
Dr. Tami Rogers
Effective May 20, 2013 veterinarians working in Jackson County will be required to report all canine rabies vaccinations to Jackson County Animal Services. The goal of this program is to increase the number of licensed dogs in the County, which is currently estimated to be only around 40%. We will have 60 days to report when a vaccine has been administered. At this point, the County will check their licensing database to see if your pet has been licensed. Clients without a current license will then be sent a notice explaining licensing requirements in the County, the benefits of licensing, and the need to obtain the required license to avoid a citation.
Benefits of licensing your dog include: it acts as a life-saving form of identification, it helps get your pet returned to you safely and quickly, it is a record that your pet is vaccinated against rabies, and it provides revenue to fund local animal services. Fees and penalties to “bail out” an unlicensed dog start at approximately $180!! In comparison, a three year license for a spayed or neutered dog in Jackson County is only $49.00.
As a way to reward responsible dog owners, the County has recently developed a “Free Ride Home” program. As many of you know, dogs are great at finding an open gate or door and heading out to explore the world! If your licensed dog is found by an Animal Control Officer, the officer will attempt to return your dog free of charge. Or, if your dog ends up at the Shelter, the first night’s stay is free of charge.
While the recent changes may cause a few headaches, I think overall that the program is well intended. Again, I wanted to make sure that our clients, and other local pet owners, are kept up to date so as not to be surprised when they next visit. If you have further questions you can certainly call the Jacksonville Veterinary Hospital and we will do our best to answer them or you can call Jackson County Animal Services directly.
Dr. Rogers can be reached at the Jacksonville Veterinary Hospital at 541.899.1081 or jvhospital@qwestoffice.net and www.jvillevet.com.
I believe there are going to be folks not getting their dogs the rabie shot, or probably any other shots as well. Poor folk may not be able to afford the shots and now license fee too. I believe a lot of people in the county will take their chances. Thank you for taking my comment.