By Nicole June
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Local pet licensing for Clarksville-Montgomery County has been voted down by the county Animal Control Committee.
“The Committee decided that it would not work in this jurisdiction. They felt that pet owners would not abide by the pet licensing regulation,” Animal Care and Control Director Jeanette Farrell said.
The regulation was proposed last year and would have required pet owners to purchase a $10 yearly license per pet, which would also have required proof of rabies vaccination (already a requirement by the county).
Under the proposed regulation, each pet would have received a special tag when licensed, allowing Animal Control officers to identify individual animals and their owners.
It appears that the proposal will not be brought up again in the foreseeable future. However, a list of other regulations will come before the county commission for a vote later this month.
One proposal will more clearly define certain regulations, such as adequate shelter, adequate water, and adequate care, etc.
“It goes into great detail so that pet owners know what’s required by law to care for their animals. Also people who call in complaints will know what they need. We have to give owners a chance to comply with the law,” Farrell said.
Some fee changes have also been proposed. The rabies vaccination fee, which Farrell said has been $1 for several years, will be raised to $5 if approved. The animal adoption fee may be raised from $87 to $97.
Farrell said the fee increase is necessary to properly care for the more than 5,000 animals that are brought into Animal Control every year, each of which must be vaccinated by the facility.
“We look forward to all the regulations being passed,” Farrell said. “It’s a positive step for all the animals in our community.”
Farrell also encourages pet owners to spay and neuter their animals in order to control pet overpopulation.
“Pet overpopulation is a community problem,” she said. “We need the community to be on board with these new regulations because they can help save pets’ lives.”
The county commission will hold an informal meeting Aug. 7 and a formal meeting Aug. 14 to vote on the proposals.
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