City of Waterloo issued the following announcement on Feb.28.
The City of Waterloo 2021 cat and dog licenses and dog park passes are available at the City Clerk’s Office, 715 Mulberry Street, Waterloo, IA 50703 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Pet owners may also purchase cat or dog licenses from Waterloo Animal Control Officers, or by mail. The deadline to license a cat or dog is March 31 of each year. Late fees apply for failure to timely register.
To register by mail, send valid rabies and spaying/neutering certificates, the amount owed, and an additional $1.00 postage and handling to the City Clerk’s Office. Rabies and proof of spaying/neutering certificates will be returned with the appropriate license(s) by mail.
All licenses require a rabies vaccination certificate and proof of spaying/neutering from your veterinarian. City code requires owners of cats and dogs age six months or older to register their pet. There are many benefits to licensing your pet. Licensing lets people know that a cat or dog is up-to-date on their vaccinations. Cat and dog licenses identify the animals as a family pet and allow owners to be quickly reunited with their pet if they get lost. Dogs and cats without identification are only held at Cedar Bend Humane Society for three days before being made available for adoption. Lost pets with identification such as a pet license will be held for seven days and all efforts will be made by staff to reunite lost pets with their families.
Fee Schedule:
Dog Park Pass: $15.00
January 1- March 31: Altered – $5.00, Unaltered – $25.00
Late fees April 1 – December 31: Altered – $10.00, Unaltered – $50.00
Why Should I License My Pet?
Licensing Benefits Cat and Dog Owners
A license identifies your cat or dog and allows you to be quickly reunited with them in case they ever get lost. Even indoor cats and dogs can get loose.
License tags provide quick information that will unite you and your pet, without the special equipment required to detect microchip identification.
Dogs and cats without identification are only held at Cedar Bend Humane Society for three days before being made available for adoption or destroyed. Lost pets with identification such as a pet license will be held for seven days and all efforts will be made by staff to reunite you with your lost pet.
Owners who license their cat or dog on time will save fines, fees, and court costs.
Licensing Benefits Public Health
A license ensures cats and dogs are vaccinated against rabies. Without appropriate medical care after a potential exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death.
Rabies is a threat to human and animal health. Cat and dog vaccination and licensing lowers the overall cost and health risk by making certain that household pets are vaccinated.
Even pets that occasionally go outside can be exposed to rabies. Bats, skunks, stray animals, and other critters that visit your home or property can transmit rabies to your pet.
Original source can be found here.
