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Attention Berks County residents:
Dog wardens began their journey of visiting your local neighborhoods yesterday and knocking on doors to see if your dog(s) has a license. If you don’t, you could face a fine up to $300. Your dog/puppy must be older than three months of age to be licensed.
On top of that, you must show that your dog or cat (non-feral) is up-to-date on his/her rabies vaccination.
According to Samantha Krepps, PA Dep’t of Agriculture rep, a licensed dog is vital for their identification.
“If your dog gets lost, the license is the best way to get it back,” Krepps said. “The annual fee you pay helps shelters and dog law enforcement offices ensure welfare of dogs, regulate dangerous dogs and oversee annual licensing and rabies vaccinations.”
If your pet is spayed/neutered, you get a discount. Prices are listed in the above dog license application.
Dog wardens have been elsewhere in the state to check the status of dog licenses in other counties and now it’s time for all dogs in Berks County to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Technically, dogs should have been licensed months ago.
I have to wonder how they (dog wardens) have time to go door-to-door to check on this when a recent audit showed how poorly they did with kennel inspections of commercial kennels aka puppy mills.
Wait, according to an article in yesterday’s Reading Eagle, the answer is below:
“This year alone, the state’s dog wardens have conducted 2,439 inspections of 2,170 kennels and issued 2,343 citations, Krepps said. From January until June 2013, the state licensed 1.1 million dogs.”
In an post I had written last month, an audit proved the dog law enforcement office is not doing their job. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale from PA’s independently elected fiscal watchdog says the state is doing a poor job enforcing the new dog law that is supposed to protect buyers and ensure breeders maintain humane practices.
Despite the numbers of kennel inspections that were given to the media, the audit stands and I feel the dog wardens need to be more concerned about dogs in puppy mills and how they are being protected instead of worrying about a dog license. While I understand that having a dog license is the law, dog wardens have come under fire for years for not doing their jobs efficiently to protect these defenseless dogs in puppy mills whose sole mission is to create puppies for pet stores. These mothers and fathers live in deplorable conditions where they barely receive the basic necessities despite our new dog law.
If all dogs are required to have a license, why doesn’t the same apply to cats? Many dogs are reunited at a shelter because of that license and that seems to be the main reason I hear from advocates to attain one.
Doesn’t the same belief hold true for cats? More cats are taken or are abandoned at shelters than dogs. Wouldn’t the ratio of cats being reunited with their owners rise dramatically if they, too, were required by law to have a license? If they don’t have ID on them, cats tend to be euthanized much more than dogs.
Cats are also required to have a rabies vaccination. How do we know if owners are completing that part of their job as a pet parent if dog wardens or animal control officers aren’t checking on them?
Cats roam free more often than dogs. If they’re not protected against rabies, they can easily transmit it to other animals. People abandon cats at an alarming rate. This is the reason why we have a feral cat problem in the U.S.
If what Samantha Krepps states is true, “a licensed dog is vital for their identification”, why doesn’t this hold true for cats? She also said the license is the best way to get your dog back. Shouldn’t the same be valid for cats?
I understand critics are afraid strict laws on ownership would force the people who are taking care of feral cats ( feral cat colonies) would be responsible for licensing those cats. They also fear the feral cats will be rounded up and euthanized. Is this realistic? Most shelters don’t have the manpower to complete such a task, in my opinion. From my understanding, most animal control officers say they’re too overextended and understaffed to do this.
I’ve seen the power of dog licenses aiding in the reunion of dogs with their owners. Don’t cat owners want the same power in the event their cat becomes lost or is taken to a high-kill shelter?
Right now, all dog owners in Berks County, PA, need to get their licenses for their pooches; otherwise, you may be looking at a fine of up to $300.
I think cat licenses are a good things. Fewer cats would die in shelters if that happened. They euthanize cats as soon as they’re abandoned. With no Id, they don’t have to wait for two days to go by to destroy them. I can’t understand the logic of cat owners or feral cat people. The license would help to save your cat’s life. Plain and simple.
Dog wardens…what a joke. Nothing changes in Pennsylvania when it comes to animals. Wasting time to do this when they can be shutting down puppy mills!!
So true! I’ve lived in the same home 17yrs & just last yr met our “constable” who I didn’t know existed & he said his job is checking for dog licenses. Apparently he’s never checked my road as none of the numerous dogs nearby have any tags at all. I really wish both dogs and cats were required to be spayed/neutered & licensed & of course, vaccinated. I have neighbors who brought home 3 cats last yr, then just left them outdoors to fend for themselves. Not fixed, they spray everyone’s home & we know how nice that smells. Can’t wash the sprayed areas in winter.
So wardens have time to go door to door to check on dog license and allow puppy mills to go to hell. Yep, sounds about right in good ole PA!
FEral cat people fight this licensing issue all the time. They’re afraid they have to pay for licenses for their feral cats they take care of. No one has time to go check out these feral cats. I think their argument is stupid and not valid. If cats don’t need licenses, why should I have to get one for my dog?
I’d be happy to pay for my cat’s to be licensed. Although what good when all around are dog owners that don’t bother & nobody checks? I’d like cat licensing, spay/neuter/vaccinations mandatory, maybe (big maybe) it would deter the people that bring home several kittens, then let them outside 24/7 to fend for themselves, leaving those living nearby to listen to the fighting & enduring the smell as they mark our homes constantly. But if nobody checks on these people, they don’t comply.
Cat licensing is a controversial topic. TNR people are definitely against the idea because it would cost too much money. On the other hand, don’t they want to ensure their pets have id on them if found and taken to the ARL. They kill almost all of the cat that arrive at their place. Everyone knows that. If your cat has a license on it, you can get it back. It’s too late once it’s taken there with no id and euthanized. How can anyone argue with that logic? Saving your cat’s life for a few bucks?
The numbers the wardens throw out there are not to be believed. They’re worried about license while dogs have died over the summer in puppy mills. Get your priorities right, people!
Guess I better my dog license! Thanks for letting me know. I only get the rabies vaccine. I think many of the other vaccines are detrimental to my dog’s health. It’s all about money. Rabies vaccine is the only one required by law. If you don’t believe in them, speak up to your vet. You don’t need to get them. Why does my older dog need all of these vaccines anyway? Or an indoor cat except for the rabies vaccine? MONEY
Even an indoor cat can get distemper, it travels in the air. I get my 3 rabies & distemper even though they’re indoor, or the vet won’t treat them. The others, like leukemia are optional, I don’t get extra. I’d just like ppl to stop bringing home kittens & then just send them outside to fend for themselves & reproduce , spray everyone else’s home so it stinks to high heaven & to me, that’s as bad an abuse as puppy mills.
I think it’s fair to have to get cats licensed. Many cats wear no id on them and get killed much quicker because of it at shelters. I know cat people don’t want to hear any of this. It’s to protect the cats. I don’t think feral cats should be included.
This cat person is all for licensing, mandatory spay/neuter. Some exceptions for feral colonies if they are being TNR. Without enforcement though, what good? My county doesn’t ever check for dog licenses, so most just don’t get one.
I feed feral cats and I feel I would be penalized if I had to get licenses. There’s no way to keep count at time of the number of cats I feed. I spay and neuter the ones I can catch. I PAY for it. I and others keep paying for what others do or should I say don’t do for their cats. They set them free and become feral through no fault of their own. I pay to take care of them. Now you want me to get a license for someone else’s cat? I don’t think so!!
There should no licensing for dogs or cats. What is done with the money they receive? They use it to balance their budget!
Spot on with this write-up. Absolutely correct!
thanks for the advice!
Most people who have dogs without licenses won’t be caught since they never get them. Those people get their dogs from backyard breeders. Most people are responsible so I think it targets the wrong people.
Responsible people will get their dog licenses. It won’t target irresponsible dog owners because no one knows they have a dog.
It’s sad that you consider someone who chooses not to submit to government’s irrational, overreaching demands to be “irresponsible”. It’s actually quite the opposite. We don’t need to buy “licenses” because we take care that they aren’t at risk of causing trouble or getting loose. All this licensing is is a tax on stupid people. It’s a dog tax. There are no benefits to anyone but the State. The nonsense about “identifying the dog owner” is actually just so they can fine you when your dog gets loose. It’s not so they can return it. People that think like this comment board are the problem. They don’t use their heads. They blindly submit to what they are told to do.
I won’t answer the door!
I have a microchip and an ID tag on my dog. That’s good enough for me. No need for a license. It’s a way for them to make money. Nothing else.
I wish cat people could give me a plausible reason why cats shouldn’t have a license.
There isn’t one. I’m a “cat person.” License, spay/neuter/basic vax should be mandatory, but to what good if unenforced? None of my neighbors with dogs have licenses & they know nobody will ever check. The cat problem in Lawrence Co.is ridiculous . Ppl bring kittens home, then throw them outside 24/7, they breed & there’s cats everywhere. If I can catch any, take to shelter, I get the looks of “you’re dumping your pets” plus I have to pay & these are cats who have owners! Again, it should be law, but only the few responsible would do it willingly. A shame.
I don’t believe in dog license since cats don’t need them. Cats are more on the loose than dogs. Another way to make money. If my dog needs a license, I want cats to have a license.
They never came to my door. I wonder if this is to scare people into getting licenses. I can’t see the ARL having time going door-to-door when they have but a few animal control officers checking out complaints about animals. There’s no way.
The ARL does not have anyone going door to door. Animal Control agents are employees of the City of Pittsburgh, not the ARL.
Cats should have to be licensed. No one in support of cats can explain why they shouldn’t be.
Imagine if cats were licensed and how many would be reunited with their owners instead of being killed as soon as they’re dropped off at a kill shelter!
I’d like to see them fine me.
We at least have enough common sense to have all of our pets, including our cats, wear ID tags and have a microchip. When you adopt an animal from most shelters in the state, they’re microchipped, anyways. I do think it’d help a lot to require cats to have licenses, but I don’t think people who responsibly took care of feral colonies should be required to obtain them.
The only problem is most of the irresponsible owners who wouldn’t have ID on the cat in the first place probably won’t bother with getting a license, anyways.
It’s a lot easier to pay the $32 for the lifetime license, since you don’t have to worry about paying each year. It comes out cheaper that way, too. That’s really not a lot of money, and if you don’t have any way to come up with at least that then you shouldn’t have an animal. If you don’t intend to have the animal for its whole life, then you shouldn’t have one, either.
I’m not criticizing people who choose the eight dollars a year. I’m just saying it’s easier for responsible owners than to have to worry about paying each year.
Reasons I will not license my dog (or any other pet):
1. My dog is already vaccinated for rabies
2. My dog does not roam or run at large
3. I do not participate in any services related to animal control or animal shelters, so the fee is in no way benefiting me personally.
4. My dog already has an ID tag and tattoo. I don’t need a government issued license for my dog to be identified.
5. Being licensed does not prevent an animal from being abused.
6. I could use that money to buy food or supplies for my animal.
7. Vaccine mandates are too strict and do not take into account the individual animals health.
8. License fees vary with the age of the owner which is age discrimination.
9. I am not going to pay higher fees because my dog is in a natural state and has testicles.
10. I don’t want to be in a database as a dog owner. Invasion of privacy.
11. Licensing can alert authorities to if you have a breed which becomes banned and subject you to police harassment and possibly have your dog seized.
12. Gives animal rights groups more ammunition to pass restrictive legislation against pet owners.
13. My animal family member is not a taxable commodity.
14. The government already takes enough of my money.
If they come to your door you can refuse a search unless they have a warrant.
i also think animals are over-vaccinated…the same as the children ,but this gets no attention in the media because it is a big money maker. i think perhaps we should require anyone with an I.Q. below 90 be licensed. These people with the licensing fetish are into more laws??? we have enough , leave the cats alone!!!
Just like Groucho Marx predicted, the tragedy of non licensed animals.
I wonder if people realize that a microchip or a tattoo ARE licenses for your dog! They are lifetime and they are registered with the state!