Next Week is Pet License Amnesty Week

We will be celebrating “Be Kind to Animals” Week from May 6 - 12 with a unique offer to our residents.  Get your pets current on their licenses with no late fees!  We know that there are many people out there who have either not licensed their pet yet or have let the license lapse and are reluctant to correct it because of the additional penalties.  Here’s your opportunity to make your pets legal and to avoid the surcharge. 

Did you know that in Rohnert Park both dogs and cats (even indoor cats) are required to be current on their ?  There are several reasons for licensing.  One is for the protection of all animals, including wildlife and your pets, from the dangers of rabies. 

Although we don’t often hear about rabid animals they are still out there.  The reason we probably don’t hear more about rabid animals is exactly because California has such a strict rabies vaccination program.  There is still rabies in our wildlife and if we become lax about protecting our pets we expose them, and ourselves, to this risk.  Rabies is still incurable and a fatal disease, not to be taken lightly.

Another reason to license your pets is that by doing so you directly support our .  In a budget climate where everything is being looked at by the City in terms of cost effectiveness, and services are being scaled back to just the legally required level, we need to show that we are self sustaining. 

Shelters are notorious for being a drain on municipalities because, as animal lovers, we really do want to try and save them all.  Obviously, the City is not going to pay for that. 

As it stands right now anything extra we want to do for an animal such as  fix a broken leg, clean and pull diseased teeth, send a blood panel to the lab or remove a damaged eye, etc., is paid for by the ; the auxiliary non-profit group created by our volunteers so they could do fundraising on our behalf. 

It is typical for just a third to less than a half of the animals in a locale are licensed.  If the number of animals registered in Rohnert Park doubled it would raise a substantial chunk of money towards our funding. 

The third reason to purchase a license for every pet is that it serves as a form of identification in case the animal is .  The license number is unique and assigned just to your animal; by pulling it up in the City’s database we should be able to contact you so your lost pet can go home.  You want as many forms of identification on your pet as possible - just in case.  Hopefully, you would never need to use any of them.

The cost of a license for an altered dog or cat is just $12 and $30 if the animal is unaltered.  Aside from payment, and proof of altering in order to get the reduced price, you need to show a current rabies certificate in order to obtain a license.   

If your pet is out of date on his rabies, we are sponsoring a low-cost vaccine clinic with VIP (the mobile vet clinic) at the shelter on Wed., May 9, 4:30-6:30 p.m.  Rabies shots will be available for only $6, with other vaccines and services at VIP’s usual low price.

To take advantage of this one-week amnesty special, you can register your pet at the Shelter or at  Stop by the shelter to also take advantage of another “Be Kind to Animals” Week special – free microchips – one week only!  Spread the word about this great offer!

Upcoming Events:  
Meet the Bunny, Second Saturday of each Month (next one is May 12) from 1-5:30 p.m.  Meet our adoptable rabbits, ask care questions of our knowledgeable volunteers, and shop our bunny boutique for fresh hay, rabbit toys and accessories.  Bring your rabbit for a free nail trim.

Kidz ‘n Critters Summer Camp – Flyer and applications are now available at the shelter or online at: rpanimalshelter.org.  Seven one-week sessions for ages from second to seventh grade.  Camps run from 8:30-12:30, Monday-Friday.  Educational and loads of fun – perfect for the little animal lover in the family!