2008 South Portland Dog Licenses Available
 
News From the City of South Portland:
2008 DOG LICENSES  The 2008 dog licenses are now available from the City Clerk's office. Please note the increase in fees for non-neutered/spayed dogs is now $11. The fee for spayed/neutered dogs is $6. There will no longer be stickers for license renewal, instead a colored metal tag will be issued for each animal to wear on their collar at all times. The tags will be a different color each year so the Animal Control Officers and other Police Officers can tell from a distance if a dog has an updated license.
 
When going to City Hall to get your dog’s license bring payment, a certificate that states the animal has been spayed or neutered and a copy of your dog’s most recent rabies certificate.
 
Licensing can also be done online via the city's website at <http://www.southportland.org/, then click the icon on the right side of the webpage. If you get your license renewed online it costs $1.00 more for each license ($7. for altered dogs and $12. for unaltered dogs). If you renew online you will receive your new colored tag in the mail.
 
Dog Licensing is part of responsible dog ownership
It is a Maine State Law that all dogs must be licensed. They all must have a rabies tag and a license tag on their collars when they are out of the house. The dog needs to be identified if it is lost or if there is a dog bite identification is critical. A dog with a license has had an updated rabies shot (you provide this proof when you go to license your dog at City Hall).
PLEASE LICENSE YOUR DOG. If you aren’t sure how, read on...
    If you need to license your dog for the first time:
        Bring the following to City Hall, City Clerk’s Office - 25 Cottage Road:
  1. ✴Money - cash or check (when getting a license in person at City Hall fees are: $6.00 for a spayed or neutered dog, and $11.00 for dogs that are not spayed or neutered.
  2. ✴State of Maine Rabies certificate
  3. ✴Veterinarian's name and phone number
  4. ✴Spay or Neuter Certificate (if your dog has been "fixed"- spayed or neutered)
 
    For 2008 South Portland residents can license their dog either in person at City Hall or online (State of Maine Dog Licensing Online Purchasing & Renewal Service) after October 15th, 2007 to January 31st, 2008. After January 31st there are late fees, so make sure you get it done before the deadline. By the end of January 2008 all dog owners need to have a new colored license tag, as well as an updated rabies tag on their dog’s collar whenever the dog is out of the house. Licenses must be updated annually by January 31st.
 
Question: Why should I pay for a dog license? The money just goes to the government... I already pay taxes!
Answer: Your dog licensing fees support:
    •    Local Animal Control Officers and State Humane Agents
    •    Investigation of animal cruelty complaints and enforcement of animal welfare laws
    •    Compliance with rabies vaccination of dogs
    •    Care for sick and injured stray animals
    •    Return of lost dogs to their owners
So make sure you do it every year, and put the tags on your dog’s collar. You can be fined if you do not! It is a Maine State Law!
Click for more information:  State of Maine Dog Licensing Online Purchasing & Renewal Service: FAQ
 
Question: What should I do if I lost my dog’s rabies tag or rabies certificate?
Answer: Call your dog’s veterinarian and get a new tag and/or certificate.
 
And please remember: City ordinance is that all dogs on public walkways (including the Greenbelt), parking lots, sidewalks and city streets must be on leash. You can be fined for walking your dog from the parking lot of a park to the entrance of a park if you do not put your dog on a leash.
 
Also if you are a Hinckley Park dog walker please make use of the additional dog waste bag dispenser at the park. I went to Hinckley the other day and it was PRISTINE! I usually pick up trash and some waste, but I think the extra bags are helping because the park was incredibly clean! Email the Mayor Claude Morgan at cvzm@maine.rr.com to thank him for getting for the new bag dispenser in place!
 
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather,
Crystal
Friday, October 19, 2007