Jackson pet owners must get dogs an updated license
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

Jackson

JACKSON - With the start of a new year comes another year to get dogs an updated license.

"Most lost pets that are found without a license tag do not get home," animal control officer Joseph Sbano said. "A visible tag worn on a pet's collar is its ticket home. Thousands of lost pets make it home every year because they were wearing their licenses."

Jackson's policy is that all dogs of licensing age (7 months and older) must be licensed during the month of January, Sbano said. Renewal forms are being sent out now and dog owners can return them to the Division of Animal Control with the proper fee, he said.

License tags and papers can be obtained through the mail when an owner returns the application with a check. Residents are asked not to send cash through the mail.

An alternate way to obtain the proper tags and paperwork is to bring a check or cash to the Department of Public Works, Division of Animal Control, 10 Don Connor Boulevard, in person.

The fee to license a neutered dog is $5.70 and a non-neutered dog will cost $8.50 for the period between January and the end of December.

Licenses purchased after March 2 are subject to an increased fee. New residents and new dogs to a household are not subject to a late fee after March 2, he said.

"Jackson is still a rural community and we have had a number of confirmed rabid animals," Sbano said. "People should protect their animal and make sure it has a rabies shot. The state requires that a rabies shot must be current throughout the licensing year."

Jackson holds two free rabies clinics each year, in April and in October.

"People may also attend any clinic held anywhere in New Jersey for a free rabies shot for their pet," Sbano said. "Our aim is to help people help keep the rabies population as low as possible, so they should have their pets vaccinated."

Sbano reminded residents that a rabies shot goes hand in hand with a pet license. He said there is no cure for rabies. If a pet is not vaccinated and is bitten by a rabid animal that runs off, the pet could be quarantined for up to six months.

For more information call (732) 928-5780 or (732) 928-1200 ext. 295 or 296.

Applications for a dog license are also available at the Internet Web site www.jacksontwpnj.net, along with all ordinances relating to licensing, rabies and animal control.