Hinsdale Dog, Cat License Rule May Disappear

HINSDALE, IL – For nearly 40 years, Hinsdale has required that residents license all dogs and cats annually.

Now, the village is considering dropping the rule.

The license fees are $5 per animal and $20 per animal that has not been spayed or neutered. Owners must provide current vaccination records.

For the program, the village has operated on the honor system, with residents self-reporting.

Last year, about 750 licenses were issued. The village's income from the licenses has been dropping – from $5,980 in 2020, to $4,175 last year.

The elimination of the license would not impact the police department's operations, according to a village memo. Officers use chip reader technology for animal identification, while county governments are responsible for rabies vaccination licensing.

Village President Greg Hart favored lifting the licensing requirement.

"This amendment would modernize the village's approach while reducing administrative burdens for residents," Hart said. "And it aligns with our ongoing efforts to review fees that cost residents not only money, but time."

The Village Board plans to vote on lifting the licensing requirement at a later meeting.