Chicago Dog Licenses – What You Need to Know
Monday, 12 December 2011 22:01
Perhaps you’ve heard about the city of Chicago’s recent crackdown on dog licensing. If not, here’s what you’ll need to know. The City Hall’s animal control chief announced that starting next year, dog owners who have not purchased licenses for their canines may be fined in the range of $30 to $200.
The licenses (that have not been enforced previously), are precautions to ensure that Chicago dogs have been vaccinated for rabies. According to Cherie Travis, executive director of the Animal Care and Control Commission, it’s estimated that less than 5% of Chicago’s dog population is currently licensed.
As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, City Clerk Susana Mendoza is organizing a 90-day educational campaign, including low-cost rabies vaccines and a dog registration contest with the goal of awareness and compliance in the public.
How can you avoid this fine? Start early. All dogs four months and older must be registered with the City of Chicago. Have your dog vaccinated for rabies and be able to provide current proof in order to receive a license. Your dog’s registration expires 1 year after the date of the rabies vaccination. Pricing for a license is as follows:
- If your dog is spayed or neutered, the tag costs $5 a year ($2.50 for seniors)
- If not spayed or neutered, the tag costs $50 a year ($5 for seniors)
Dog registration can be purchased online at www.chicityclerk.com. Applications can also be mailed to owners by calling 312-744-DOGS.
Dog owners can also complete registration in person at any Chicago clerk’s office locations including 121 N. LaSalle St, 5674 S. Archer Ave, or 5430 W. Gale St.
