The City of Whitney is encouraging all residents to prepare to register their dogs and cats with the city as part of an animal control initiative.
The City Council adopted an amended animal control ordinance at its March meeting, which includes mandatory registration of dogs and cats over four months of age.
The overall goal is to get control of the stray animal population in the city and return pets to their owners quickly when they are lost.
City administration has been researching animal control programs and discussing the issue during council meetings since last fall. Other cities with successful programs have provided input and emphasized the importance of a pet registration program.
Registration fees will be waived until May 5 as the program is launched. After that, they will be $5 for pets that are spayed/neutered and $30 for pets that are not spayed/neutered.
The registration certificate will be valid for the period remaining on the current rabies vaccination certificate and will need to be renewed annually no later than the expiration date of the rabies vaccination certificate. All dogs and cats four months or older must be vaccinated for rabies.
The city is planning pop-up locations, possibly at a local grocery store or another easily accessible location, to allow pet owners to register their pets. Staff is also working on making an online option available in the future.
While the registration options are being worked out, pet owners should take this opportunity to make sure their animals’ rabies vaccinations are up to date and be prepared to provide: proof of vaccination; proof of spay/neuter (which is not required but qualifies the owner for a lower fee); the name, address and phone number of the pet owner; a description of the dog or cat; and a registration fee.
After an animal is registered, a metal tag with a serial number will be provided and should be placed on the animal’s collar.
Within 30 days of any change in ownership of a registered dog or cat, the new owner must have the registration certificate transferred to their name.
Violating the ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine.
The full animal control ordinance can be viewed online at cityofwhitneytx.org or at Whitney City Hall.
The Lakelander 