CLOVIS, N.M. -- The new pet licensing program in Clovis is off to a good start.
The Clovis News Journal reports that Police Chief Steve Sanders said 148 licenses have been issued to residents, 113 of those were issued Monday.
Sanders said due to the high number of inquiries, they began issuing the free licenses Thursday, three days ahead of schedule. The response to the program have been mostly positive. Sanders said while some people have questioned the reason for the licensing ordinance, saying theirs been some misunderstanding about the program. But the complaints have been minimal once people realize it's free.
Approved in April by city commissioners, the ordinance requires owners of dogs and cats to obtain a license and tag for their animals within 15 days of acquiring or residing with a pet in the city.
Pet owners are now required to either microchip their animals, keep a tag on them, or have them tattooed by a veterinarian. Rabies shots are also required before the pet can be licensed. The licenses will be good for three years, which is the same length of time between rabies vaccinations.
Sanders said residents have 90 days to obtain the license for their pets, after that time pet owners could be cited with a misdemeanor if their unlicensed animal is caught running at large.
Here's how the program works the owners information is entered into a database that police and animal control officers have access to so the pets can be returned to their owners.
You can get your applications for your pet license at the Clovis Animal Shelter from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, or at the police department 8 a.m.-5 p.m Monday- Friday. For more information you can call the city at 575-769-7893.
