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Dog license fees cost little, but help a lot

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Recently, I received an email from the State of Maine reminding me to license my dog. Every year, I dutifully fill out the online form and pay the small fee to license my two dogs, and every year I receive an earful from friends and family members who don't understand why I bother. I know they're not alone - many people question why they need to license their dogs. Despite what many people believe, dog licenses aren't just an easy way for your town or state to take a little more money from you. Here are just some of the reasons why licensing your dog is important.

It's the law

First of all, no matter how you feel about licensing your pet, it's still the law. If you've been toying with the idea of skipping licensing your dog, remember that there are consequences. Instead of paying the few dollars for the license, you could end up paying a few hundred dollars in fines. In some towns, the animal control officer might even show up at your door if you don't license your dog.

Helping you reunite with your pet

At the shelter, we always talk about the importance of microchipping your pet. Microchips, however, are not visible to the eye and, because they can shift location in your dog's body, there's always the possibility that whoever is scanning your pet for a microchip will not be able to find it. Not to mention, countless pet owners get their pets microchipped but never register the chip, so, when scanned, it doesn't link back to any contact information. When you license your pet, your town has a record of your address and contact information. Should your pet ever get picked up by animal control, his or her dog license can easily help the animal control officer reunite you with your pet.

Proof of rabies vaccine

Unlike other forms of pet ID, the only way to license your pet is to provide proof that your dog is up-to-date on his or her rabies vaccine. That means that, should your pet ever end up at an animal shelter, the person caring for your pet will know that they are vaccinated simply by looking at their up-to-date license. This is especially helpful for people who work in a veterinary office or shelter environment as a dog license is the only clue we have about a stray dog's vaccine history.

License fees help animals

When you license your dog, you are not only helping keep him or her safe, you are helping other animals in your state. Fees from dog licenses help pay for animal control officers, animal cruelty investigators, and investigations into reports of animal cruelty.

Basically, licensing your dog is very short and simple process that results in your pet being easily identifiable should he or she ever go missing. Remember that licensing your pet is required by law and, should you neglect to get your pet licensed by the date set by your town, you will be charged with a fine. Show your pet you care and be sure to get them licensed this year!

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cockatoo, two cats, a bearded dragon, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org. To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.

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