8/9/2019 Proposed changes to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, animal control ordinance

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Chapter 23 Cats, Dogs and Other Animals - Ordinance Revision

Summary of Changes

A public hearing has been scheduled for the July 23, 2010 City Council meeting to adoptrevisions to Chapter 23, Cats, Dogs and Other Animals. In anticipation of that public hearing,the following is provided as a summary of the changes proposed within the Ordinance revision.

Licensing

Most municipalities and counties require that its citizens pay a licensing fee for their pets. Somereasons for animal licensing include Public Health and Safety concerns (licensing requires proofof a valid rabies vaccination), a greater likelihood of reuniting lost pets with their owners, and areduction in pet overpopulation through the use of a differential licensing fee structure.

Outsourcing administration of the licensing program will provide a turnkey solution to managingall functions of an animal licensing program, thus freeing up animal control personnel to spendtime serving citizens and increasing the services provided to citizens while saving the agencyvaluable time and money.

Licensing administration services typically consist of the following:

* Processing licensing mail* Depositing licensing revenue* Entering licensing and vaccination data* Mailing license tags

* Providing customer service to citizens, veterinarians, and agency staff* Collecting and processing tag sales reports from authorized registrars* Maintaining privacy of data according to applicable laws

In order to increase animal licensing and compliance, a licensing administrator can also providethe following services:

* Mailing licensing notices and follow-up notices to citizens* Offering online licensing with credit card payment, provided that all documentation

requirements can be met* Customizing a website with licensing information and customer service for the citizens of

the municipality

Proper licensing results in a reduction in the number of animals which enter animals shelters, andtherefore eliminates the expense that would have been associated with the care, feeding, anddisposition of these licensed animals. Enforcement of licensing helps to ensure compliance withrabies vaccination requirements, which in turn reduces the probability of an outbreak of rabies inthe local animal population.

8/9/2019 Proposed changes to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, animal control ordinance

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Finally, proper education on the benefits of licensing and vaccination generally promotes moreresponsible pet ownership, resulting in a safer, more informed community.

Recommended licensing fees for both dogs and cats 4 months of age and over are:

$10 annually for altered dogs and cats

$35 annually for unaltered dogs and cats

Exception: Persons sixty-five or older may obtain permanent licenses for spayed orneutered cats or dogs which are valid for the lifetime of the cat or dog; provided, such cat or dogmust permanently reside with the license applicant; provided further, no person or personsresiding in the same household may obtain more than three such senior citizen pet licenses.

Licenses not renewed by the designated renewal date shall be assessed an additional licensefee of $10.00.

Handling fee. Where license application is made to the authorized pet licensing agent, such

agent may charge a handling fee, not to exceed $5.00 per license. Where written application ismade to the authority's designees, such designees may charge a handling fee, not to exceed $5.00per license. Provided, however, that such fees shall not apply to a blind owner, keeper orharborer of any dog or cat of