registering with the county
 

Okay, you guys can all tell me what a terrible mommy I am, but only after you give me some advice lol!

I have had Paddington for about two months now, and I have not gotten his license. I haven't registered him with anyone. He is getting microchipped on Thursday.

The reason I have not gotten his license yet is because I hate bureaucracy. I don't think I should have to pay a fee just to keep my yorkie. He is clean, non-aggressive, healthy, etc. I'm not exactly conventional in my political beliefs.

Anyway, I didn't think it was necessary to register him (meaning I didn't think it was illegal to keep him unregistered) unless he was potentially aggressive. My dad tells me otherwise, and I was starting to worry that I won't be able to get him microchipped until I get his license.

So what is everyone's opinion on this?? What would I get from registering my Bear? Is it really that big of a deal not to?
-O

Here in California, registering is the county's way of insuring that all dogs are vaccinated against rabies. So it serves an important purpose.

I've had dogs all my life and lived in a lot of different states and never registered any of them with the city/county or state.

Sorry but your Dad is right it is the law in every state and you could get a fine IF they catch you but it will not interfere with you getting your little one microchipped. If you decide not to register your dog you had better make sure though that you have had your rabies shots.

An advantage it does have if you register your little one is to put the tag on his harness as a means of ID - many dogs have been returned to the owners with ID number on the tag. Not all animal control, shelters or vets carry the same microchip reader and the ID tag would be your only means of identification. Not sure if it could help if someone stole your little one to have him registered or not.

I've never registered any of my pets with the county/city either. I know it's the law, but they don't really enforce it here unless you have an aggressive dog, problematic dog, or animal control picks them up. I too just don't like the idea of registering them with the city. Where I live they have this law that you can only have 4 cat/dogs per household which I think is stupid. I have a dog and 2 cats and my roommate has a cat so that's 4 in our household right there. I just don't think it's any of their business how many animals I have and all as long as they are being well taken care of. Plus I don't want to pay the fee to register them...I would rather spend it on other things. Lacy has been microchipped so being microchipped won't affect you having the register them or not. When I got Lacy and my new cat's rabies shots a few months ago my vet asked me if I wanted to get my county tag. They always ask that when you get your rabies since that means it's really time to regsiter them with the city. I always say no though and they never seem to care. I just really think it's a personal choice. I've found that more people don't register them than those that do. I guess it depends on how serious your city/county is about enforcing the liscense thing...

Technically, in PA, it is illegal, and the state dog warden will go door to door. There are many, many more reasons to register your dog, skip the temporary and go straight for lifetime, if they have it in your state, it's a one time fee, and it is a license, another way to identify the dog in case the microchip fails or can't be read. I understand your thoughts, feelings and concerns, and it is your decision.

here it is only 2.00 per year. i think it is good insurance that these dogs are fully vacinated.

Has it been neutered? If he has, chances are the state know you have him.

When we had Brooklyn neutered, the vet (I guess) actually reported that we had him and he was spayed and they sent the notice that we had to register him as a neutered dog.

Good gracious--I did not know you had to register pets! Is that a law in all states (I am in Mississippi)?

i dont believe there is a law where i live either here in stanford ky or aleast i have never heard of one and if there was i would do it

I've never registered Max. I know it's a law in NYC, but I never bothered.
If I can do a lifetime registration online by credit card, I'll do it. He'salredy neutered and has had all of his shots.

Thanks for the idea!

Oh I didn't know we have to registered our babies in where we live? How do I find out if I need to registered Chloe? I live in Indiana.

Every county, regardless of state should have a website for local government, try a basic google search. In my state and county we do it at the Treasurer's Office in the County Courthouse, since I work in the DA's Office (also in the Courthouse) and bragged about Vinnie so much (proud mommy!) I definitely had to! Every state is different.

I've registered all of mine, because there was an article in the paper about a lost dog that got picked up by animal control and was put in the pound for days because he was not registered. Had this person not gotten the license, the dog could have been put down.

Also, I've heard the animal control here will ask to see licenses if dogs are outside, ect... although it hasn't happened to me. If there is no license they can hand out big fines.

You do not have to register dogs here in Tennessee that i know of.
I do know there is a limit to the number of animals you can have cause my mom has the max.