JANUARY PET CORNER

To License or Not to License ?.Why do I have to?

I am often asked ?Why do I have to buy a license? and my answer is always the same..?Because you have to?.  Just as you have to but license on your vehicles and fishouses so must your pets be licensed, City Ordinance mandates it.   When you think about it animals are actually legally personal property (shhh don?t tell them) and therefore are mandated by many different authorities at the State and local levels.

The money from the sale of the licenses is used to support and improve the Animal Control Department.

My personal opinion of licensing is that it is the best resource and Animal Control Officer can have.  When a pet is picked up around town it makes me very happy to see the license tag affixed to the collar.  Each tag is numbered and the record includes vital information such as pets name, owner?s name and phone number, and emergency vet care.   This information is vital to reunite pet and owner together and in cases where a pet may be injured we can contact the veterinarian and get the medical attention that animal needs immediately.  It also gives the department a great resource when a dog is picked up to go to the license database and search the different breeds and call owners to see if there pet is at home.  Current rabies vaccination is required to get a license so when a dog has a current license tag on it we know that the animal is vaccinated, which helps the safety of the officer.

Julie and I are excited to offer the first annual Licensing clinic, and invite you to buy your 2002 pet licenses.  This will NOT replace the vaccination clinic in April, but as licenses are due in January, we think this will be an added bonus to the citizens of Barnesville.  You will also have the opportunity to visit with our guest?s and sign up for lots of FREE gifts:

Diane Januschitis: who operates ?Diane?s Pet Sitting Service? within the City, will be at the clinic to visit with you and answer any questions you may have about pet sitting.  You will also have the opportunity to sign up for one FREE day of pet sitting.

Jeff McMaines:  Who is an obedience instructor will be on hand to offer obedience classes and he will have a FREE drawing

Dr Wayne Jacobs: from Barnesville Animal Care Clinic will be giving Rabies vaccinations. Also a FREE pet exam will be given away

Pretty Pet Grooming and the Animal Control Department will be offering FREE nail trims to all dogs and cats that get licensed that day.

Lucky? the cat who was recently featured in ?Pet Corner? will be there to take all the petting and kisses he can get.