Dauphin County Treasurer Janis Creason this week joined Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary George Greig, state dog wardens and pet specialty retailer PetSmart® in recognizing March as Dog License Awareness Month, and in challenging Pennsylvanians to license their dogs, setting a goal to sell 100,000 licenses in March.
If the licensing goal is met, PetSmart will donate $10,000 to Susquehanna Service Dogs, a non-profit organization that trains and provides service and hearing dogs that help children and adults with special needs become more independent. The cost of training and placing one service dog is approximately $20,000, with much of the monies coming from fundraising and donations by individuals, groups and corporations.
“State law requires all dogs three months and older to be licensed each year,” said Creason. “Licensure also is a great way to protect your dog if he gets lost.”
Owners who fail to license their dogs could face a fine of up to $300 for each unlicensed dog.
The Treasurer’s Office will have a booth at PawsAbilities’ event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 and March 10 at the Harrisburg-based Farm Show Complex. PawsAbilities, a program of Keystone Human Services, benefits Susquehanna Service Dogs.
“The goal is to make dog licensing easy and convenient,” said Creason. “Now, dog owners can even apply for licenses on the county’s website.”
An annual dog license is $8.45 and a lifetime license is $51.45. If the animal is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.45 and lifetime is $31.45. Discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities.
Licensing fees support the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Dog Law Enforcement Office, which is responsible for ensuring the welfare of dogs, regulating dangerous dogs and overseeing annual licensing and rabies vaccinations.
For more information about the Dauphin County Treasurer’s Office, or to apply for a dog license, please call 717-780-6550 or visit www.DauphinCounty.org.
Source: Dauphin County Treasurer’s Office