How does a pet license benefit pet owners?

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Lost Pets Reunited with Owners

When a lost pet is found and the pet has a current pet license tag on its collar, the owner can be traced easily through the number on the pet license tag. Once the pet is identified, owners are contacted immediately.

Longer Holding Period at Shelters

Animals who have current pet license tags are provided a 10 day holding period. If you cannot be contacted immediately, Animal Services will hold your pet(s) for as long as it takes to contact you. All animals picked up by City of Lubbock Animal Services officers (not reclaimed by owner) are evaluated for the adoption program. Untagged animals that are not chosen because of health, temperament or aggression (animals that clearly would not make a good, safe pet) are euthanized after three days.

Increased Chances of Finding a Lost Pet

You are 90 times more likely to find your lost pet again if it is licensed with the City of Lubbock.

 

How much does it cost to license my pet?

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Cats and Dogs	$2.50
Free license will be given to police dogs and animals assisting the disabled. Please call 806.775.2058 for more information.

Why don't you have a higher fee for unsterilized pets?

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Animal Services promotes sterilization and understands that education and support of agencies that provide low cost or partial funding for sterilizations will reduce the pet overpopulation problem. This is more effective than having an unenforcable ordinance that charges pet owners a higher fee for unsterilized pets.

How do I license my pet in person?   By mail?

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Bring a copy of your pet's current rabies vaccination certificate to one of the following locations:

• City of Lubbock Animal Shelter
• Local Veterinarians

The issuing agent will give you a new pet license tag, replacement tag or renewal certificate. Be sure you have the original rabies certificate before you leave.


By Mail

Mail a copy or the original of your pet's current rabies vaccination certificate with a check payable to "City of Lubbock Pet License". Then mail this documentation to:

City of Lubbock Animal Services
102 Municipal Drive
Lubbock, TX 79403

Your new pet license tag or renewal certificate, receipt and original rabies certificate (if sent) will be mailed back to you.

What if my pet already has a rabies tag from our Vet?

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If you pet is wearing a 2002 Orange Oval tag that has License/Rabies and your pet's Verterinary Clinic on it (this tag was provided by the City of Lubbock for your Veterinarian to distribute), your pet is currently licensed with the City of Lubbock and you would not have to renew your pet's City license at this time. When your pet's rabies vaccination expires and you revaccinate your pet against rabies, you can mail a copy of the rabies certificate with the $2.50 to Lubbock Animal Services at:

City of Lubbock Animal Services
102 Municipal Drive
Lubbock, TX 79403

Your new pet license tag or renewal certificate, receipt and your pet's original rabies certificate (if sent) will be mailed back to you.

Do I have to license my pet every year?

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Yes, just as you must pay for your vehicle license plate yearly, you must pay for your pet license tag yearly. The process is the same. For your vehicle license plate, you show proof of insurance, make your payment and continue using your same license plates previously issued.
For your pet license tag, you will show proof of rabies vaccination, make your payment ($2.50) and continue using your same pet license tag previously issued.

If your vehicle license plate becomes unreadable, worn or damaged, you can pay a minimal fee to have new tags issued.
Your pet license tag is the same. If it becomes lost, stolen, damaged, worn or unreadable, you can pay a minimal fee ($2.00) to have a new tag issued.

Just as you can go to either the Lubbock County Tax Accessor for your vehicle license plates or several outlets in town who provide this same service for your convenience,
Animal Services will be the primary point of service for pet license tags with several outlets offering this same service for your convenience. Many local veterinarians, as well as pet grooming shops and pet supply stores will have the pet license tags available for your convenience.

What does the City do with the fees?

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These license fees help to keep citizens' overall tax rates low by directly supporting Animal Services activities that enforce the State Rabies Control Act. These activities include:

1. Caring for animals at the City of Lubbock Animal Shelter.
2. Picking up stray animals.
3. Investigating dog, cat and other animal bites.
4. Responding to complaints about loose and dangerous dogs, stray cats and wildlife.

What happens if you do not license or tag your pet?

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Owners who fail to register their pets or attach tag to their pet's collar are committing a Class C misdemeanor which carries a minimum fine of $100.00 and a maximum fine of $2,000 for each violation.

More importantly, if your pet is brought to the Shelter, we have NO way of "phoning home" for them. Their lack of tag has reduced their days for you to reclaim them from 10 days to 3 days.

How do I locate my pet if it is licensed with the City?

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If an Animal Services officer finds your pet and your pet is wearing a current license tag on its collar, the officer will return your pet to you if you are at home. If you are not at home, you will be left a door tag or contacted and told where you can pick up your pet.

If your pet has already been returned to you on a previous occasion, you will have to pick your pet up at the Shelter. Animal Services will provide only one "free ride home" a year.

If another citizen finds your pet, they may use the tag number to contact us. Through our Lost and Found Service (806.775-2059), we will take their information and contact you.

The State Law does not allow Animal Services to release your personal information to other persons or businesses. We will take the information of the people holding your pet and call you with it.

How do I locate my pet if it is "NOT" licensed?

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Visit the City of Lubbock Animal Shelter to search for your pet. If you cannot visit the shelter, please call the Lost and Found Pet Hotline, leave a description of your pet and any contact information on yourself.

Other options include:

• Post a message on our Lost and Found Board.
• Place an ad in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
• Ask to post a "lost" poster at local businesses in your neighborhood.

Remember, it is very important that you visit the Shelter to look for your lost pet. You are the only one that really knows what your pet looks like. We recommend that you come out at least every 2 or 3 days to check for your lost pet.

Important Information for Lost and Found Pets

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City of Lubbock Animal Shelter

401 North Ash. Lubbock,TX 79403 (806-775-2058) Shelter Hours: Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lubbock Watch Dog Lost and Found Board www.ark4pets.com Click Here Lost and Found Pet Hotline (806-775-2059) Lost and Found Ads Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Classifieds (806-762-8844)