The Montclair Health Department encourages all dog and cat owners to license their pets with the town – this is required by law. Compliance brings benefits to you, your pet and the community.There are many reasons to register and license your pet.
- You can think of your pet’s license as a way to ensure a free ride home in case it is lost. Anyone who has lost a pet knows how we worry about them until they are safe at home. The license tag can be quickly used to find your name and address and the authorities can notify you. This will bring about a quick reunion.
- Licensing is a way for the community to ensure that pets are vaccinated against rabies, a terrible disease that is fatal to dogs and cats.
- The fees from licensing stay in the community and help fund rabies clinics and support our animal control efforts. The cost of the license is far less than the fine imposed if your dog or cat is found without a license.
- Last, but not least, it is the law!
The annual fee for licensing a dog in the Township of Montclair is $12 for a spayed/neutered dog or $15 for an intact dog. For a cat it is $8 for a spayed/neutered cat or $11 for an intact cat. Senior citizens pay a reduced fee of $5 for a spayed/neutered cat or $8 for an intact cat. In addition, microshipping is available for a $20 fee (but not mandatory).
In order to license your pet, you will need proof of rabies vaccination. The State of New Jersey requires licensing for any dog over the age of seven months*, and the Township also requires licensing for any cat over the age of seven months. Cat licenses expire August 31 and Dog licenses expire December 31.
The Township will soon undertake a door-to-door canvass to ensure pets are being licensed. Late fees will be charged for any cat that is licensed after November 1 and any dog that is licensed after March 1. Owners may be responsible for court appearances and additional fines for animals not licensed by these dates. For more information on how to license or microchip your pet, contact Department of Health and Human Services at 973-509-4970.
*http://www.state.nj.us/health/animalwelfare/dog_lic.shtml
Photo credit: Eric Delmar
