SEAVILLE — North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest join The City of Wildwood by contracting with Shore Animal Control to take over animal control services in 2015. Residents can continue to call the police departments or call the company directly at
800-351-1822.
Shore Animal Control is the largest provider of animal control services in the county servicing in 2014 the municipalities of Upper Township, Lower Township, Dennis Township, Woodbine, West Cape May, North Cape May and The City of Wildwood. This year Stone Harbor will join North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest in the company switch.
The company will be patrolling the municipalities for stray cats and dogs as well as enforcing local animal ordinances and licensing. Owner of Shore Animal Control Dr. Nick Holland advises, “We encourage all dog owners to voluntarily register and license dogs with the local municipality. The primary benefit of licensing your dog is that it could possibly save your dog’s life and ensure the safe return of your pet. Our officers carry license records in their vehicles and on their phones and can often return a lost pet within the hour to a resident. This helps relieve stress on the pet, and a burden on the county shelter.”
If the above isn’t reason enough for you to properly register your dog, here are a few more reasons why Shore Animal Control suggests you should:
1. It’s the law. The owners of all dogs seven months of age or older are required to annually apply to the licensing clerk of the municipality in which he or she resides for a dog license. In order for the license to be issued, the owner must present proof that a licensed veterinarian has vaccinated the dog against rabies and that the duration of immunity from that vaccination extends through at least ten months of the twelve-month licensing period. An exemption to the rabies inoculation requirement shall be granted if the owner presents written certification from a licensed veterinarian that the dog cannot be vaccinated due to a medical condition or course of therapy.
2. If your dog goes missing, having him licensed drastically improves your chances of getting him back. As Dr. Holland was quoted above, “A license tag helps animal control and shelters quickly identify your dog and get him back to you safely. If your dog is found wandering the streets, a rescue organization can easily look up your dog via its license identifying number. Dogs that are licensed tend to be kept at the shelter longer than unlicensed dogs, which are the first to be euthanized if their owners do not quickly claim them.”
3. Licensing lets people know that your dog is up to date on its rabies vaccinations. A dog cannot be licensed unless it is properly vaccinated. Animal control or a Good Samaritan will be much more likely to want to handle and care for your missing pup if they know that it is healthy and up to date on rabies vaccinations. Having that rabies tag can mean the difference between someone holding your pet, or just letting it go into the street.
4. License fees are used to benefit various state programs. $1.00 for each dog licensed that is forwarded to the DHSS and placed in the Rabies Trust Fund to support State rabies and animal control programs, $3.00 for unneutered dogs that is forwarded to the DHSS, Animal Population Control Program to fund the New Jersey low cost spay and neuter program,
The average price of an annual dog license in Cape May County is $4 to $11. Dog owners can expect to pay more to license a dog that has not been spayed or neutered.
Some dog owners may be eligible for a discounted licensing fee:
Service dogs and dogs trained to be guide or signal dogs are usually free to license
Where to get your dog licensed:
Head to your nearest municipal licensing department. Many municipalities offer the option to apply for a license by mail. Existing licenses can often be renewed by credit or debit card online.
What is required to get a license?
In order to apply for a dog license, you must provide a certificate showing that your dog is up to date with its rabies vaccinations.
If you license your dog in one city and then move to another, you may need to apply for a new license. Check with your licensing department for more information.