Dog Licenses in Fresno City and County

1. Dog Licenses in Fresno City and County HOW TO REALIZE TRIPLE BENEFITS of license programs DOG OWNER BENEFITS ANIMAL PROTECTION CITY/COUNTY FINANCIAL AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT A SUMMARY REPORT FROM FAR SUBCOMMITTEES

2. Dog Licenses in Fresno City and County ADVANTAGES AND BARRIERS TO CURRENT PET LICENSE PROGRAMS BECKY Holly Janie Partain Karen Shoji Randywalter

3. Increase in revenue • Simplify and increase identification of “at large” pets • Decrease in impounded animals thus decrease in animal control resources and expense • Increase in vaccinated animals • Decrease in pet population by encouraging spay/neuter and responsible ownership • Simplify statistical data gathering and identification of pet numbers ADVANTAGE: MUNICIPALITIES -- FRESNO CITY FRESNO COUNTY

4. Prompt identification of lost pet • Prompt notification of impounded or found pet • Simplifies reclaim of pet if impounded • Decreased or nonexistent impound fees/penalties • Increased hold at shelter if impounded • Healthier pets through vaccination ADVANTAGE: COMMUNITIES GENERAL PUBLIC

5. Prompt identification/notification of lost pet, avoidance of unnecessary impound • Healthier pets through vaccination • Decrease in pet overpopulation and increasing spay/neuter and responsible ownership ADVANTAGES COMMUNITY

6. The general public’s resistance to pet licensing derives from several sources, including, but not limited to: • high cost (perceived or real), • Inconvenience • general lack of education/awareness regarding the cost, necessity and purpose. RESISTANCE WHY PARTICIPATION IS SO LOW

7. Dog Licenses in Fresno City and County Connecting to thecommunity how to help engage and expand participation in license program BECKY Klisch Elisa Brown Karen Shoji Barbara rodiek

8. Both Fresno City and Fresno County require all dogs to be licensed. • Do you know what that means? Not many do. • A license on a dog means: • That dog has been appropriately vaccinated against Rabies and other communicable diseases. • That dog’s owner/home can be easily identified. • If found, Animal Control Officers will make every attempt to return to proper home, avoiding impound fees and entry into Stray Animal System • A license on a dog entitles the owner to: • Reduced fees/penalties if animal is entered into Animal Control System. JUST THE FACTS WHAT ‘S A LICENSE ON A DOG MEAN?

9. License payments go to the “General Fund” for either the City or the County. • The revenue generated from dog license fees directly support Animal Control Services. • Animal Control Services cost both the City approximately $1.3 million, and the County approximately $1 million per year. • Both the City and County are exploring opportunities to use License Fees to create a fund to support Low/No Cost Spay and Neuter , but this has not yet been enacted JUST THE FACTS WHERE DO LICENSE FEES GO?

10. License Guidelines and Fees Fresno City Fresno County While Special Permits may be available for additional animals, Fresno City Residents may license up to four (4) dogs in a residential home License Fee for a Spayed/Neutered dog is $12/year License Fee for an unaltered dog is $50/year Cats are not licensed Dogs must have received a rabies shot prior to licensing Licensed dogs are allowed one litter/year. All for sale ads must include mother’s license number The number of animals you may have is dependent on zoning in your area. License Fee for a Spayed/Neutered dog is $4/year License Fee for an unaltered dog is $39/year Cats are not licensed Dogs must have received a rabies shot prior to licensing Licensed dogs are allowed one litter/year. All for sale ads must include mother’s license number

11. License Guidelines and Fees Fresno City Fresno County While Special Permits may be available for additional animals, Fresno City Residents may license up to four (4) dogs in a residential home License Fee for a Spayed/Neutered dog is $12/year License Fee for an unaltered dog is $50/year Cats are not licensed Dogs must have received a rabies shot prior to licensing Licensed dogs are allowed one litter/year. All for sale ads must include mother’s license number The number of animals you may have is dependent on zoning in your area. License Fee for a Spayed/Neutered dog is $4/year License Fee for an unaltered dog is $39/year Cats are not licensed Dogs must have received a rabies shot prior to licensing Licensed dogs are allowed one litter/year. All for sale ads must include mother’s license number

12. License Guidelines and Fees Fresno City Fresno County • License Applications can be found online • Licenses may be obtained via mail or in person. • Mandatory Documents: • Completed License Form - available online • A copy of a current valid Rabies Vaccination certificate (originals will not be returned) • A copy of Spay or Neuter certificate, if applicable (originals will not be returned) • Fee - make checks payable to City of Fresno Dog License (DO NOT MAIL CASH) License Applications can be found online Licenses may be obtained via mail or in person Mandatory Documents Completed License Form - available online A copy of a current valid Rabies Vaccination certificate (originals will not be returned) A copy of Spay or Neuter certificate, if applicable (originals will not be returned) Fee - make checks payable to County of Fresno Dog License (DO NOT MAIL CASH);

13. License Guidelines and Fees Fresno City Fresno County Mail or In Person: Fresno City Hall, 2600 Fresno St, Rm 1098 (entrance on P St., between Tulare and Fresno Sts). – OR – CCSPCA, 103 S. Hughes Ave, Fresno (559-233-7722, ext. 214) (in person only) ONLINE LINK: http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=1574 Mail or In Person: 1221 Fulton Mall, Third FloorP O Box 11867, Fresno CA 93775-1867(559) 600-3357 FAX (559) 445-3379 Via emailEnvironmentalHealth@co.fresno.ca.us   Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Closed 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm) http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=1574

14. License information is difficult to find/understand • Licensing is merely a “good” thing to do (it’s an “extra”). • There is little “enforcement” of license rules, therefore the program is more voluntary than mandatory. • Compliance is clumsy and difficult • No identifiable benefits Perception is Reality What the community perceives relative to the current license program.

15. More people are willing to catch/return a stray dog with a license than one without • Altered dog license fees are minimal, while unaltered dog license fees are sometime 5-times more. • Should a licensed dog get loose/lost, Animal Control Agents will make every attempt to return found dogs immediately, never having taken them to the pound. Perception is Reality What the community should know relative to the current license program.

16. Should a licensed dog wind up in the pound, reclaim fees and/or penalties are often greatly reduced • Should a licensed dog wind up in the pound, that dog is guaranteed 7-days of safe-keeping before entering the pound’s adoption / exit system • Should a licensed dogs be injured while loose, that dog is guaranteed minimal medical care Perception is Reality What the community should know relative to the current license program.

17. Recommendations to increase effectiveness and participation in Dog License Programs • Reduce costs to the public by providing mobile or traveling low cost rabies and licensing clinics • Increase convenience by contracting with several veterinary or other facilities for licensing to provide more diverse geographic locations for members of the public to obtain licenses

18. Recommendations to increase effectiveness and participation in Dog License Programs • Increase convenience by contracting with several veterinary or other facilities for licensing to provide more diverse geographic locations for members of the public to obtain licenses • Increase education, awareness and visibility of licensing program and its purpose through promotion and media campaigns • Increase education, awareness and visibility by providing literature to local veterinary facilities and pet retail stores, etc.

19. Recommendations to increase effectiveness and participation in Dog License Programs • Central License Information and Application/Payment Site • Online • Links for both City and County • Intuitive Website Address • Identify/Create alternate application and payment sites (aka utility pay stations). • Simplified Application Process • Uniform (City and County) Application Process • Uniform (City and County) License Fee Schedule

20. Recommendations to increase effectiveness and participation in Dog License Programs • Development of more comprehensive Incentive Program • Discounts at Merchants • Vet Discounts • Revenue Share with Rescues and Shelters to increase participation • Simplified and compelling Call to Action/Education Campaign

21. Recommendations to increase effectiveness and participation in Dog License Programs • Rebrand the program to effectively communicate the BENEFITS … • License your pets … • it’s Their passport Home • and Your passport to Savings!

22. Next Steps • Feedback from Fresno City and County • Pursue the development of a new “branding” image • Seek to identify possible “perks”