Dog Licensing

City and County ordinances require that all dogs over the age of 6 months living within the city limits or within the county's dog control zone must wear a current license tag. Even dogs that live primarily indoors are required to be licensed. Your pet’s ID Licensing helps ensure the safe and timely return of your pet should it be lost. About 95 percent of lost animals that wear current identification are reunited with their owners. Please also keep in mind that ownership of a pet can be difficult to prove if the pet is not wearing current tags.

Dog Licenses, 2010

• $30 for unaltered dog (not spayed or neutered)
• $15 for altered dog (proof is required)
• A current Rabies Vaccination Certificate is required

GET YOUR LICENSE ONLINE NOW!

CLICK HERE TO RENEW YOUR WW City & County Dog License

DOWNLOAD THE 2010 LICENSING (and renewal) FORM

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

WHERE IS THE CONTROL ZONE?

City and County ordinances require that all dogs over the age of 6 months living within the city limits or within the county's dog control zone must wear a current license tag. Please click below for a map of the your control zone area.

CITY OF WALLA WALLA CONTROL ZONE

BURBANK CONTROL ZONE

TOUCHET CONTROL ZONE

WALLULA CONTROL ZONE

YOUR PET’S ID

Licensing is designed to help ensure the safe and timely return of pets to their owners. Your dog’s current license enables local authorities to identify your pet and also identifies you as the dog owner. About 95 percent of lost animals that wear current identification are reunited with their owners. Ownership of a pet can be difficult to prove if the pet is not wearing current tags.

REGISTER YOUR DOG

In order to make the licensing process as easy as possible, we’ve attached a brief form for you to fill out and return to us. Please duplicate the form if you have more than one dog. Licensing forms are also available at all local veterinary clinics and at the Blue Mountain Humane Society. Local ordinances require that all dogs have proof of a current rabies vaccination.

WHEN A PET IS LOST

As a reminder, if you lose your pet, please report it immediately to the following local authorities. Even if you are not a pet owner, you may find the following contact numbers helpful if you find an animal or experience animal problems in your neighborhood.

• City and County Dispatch Center and Animal Control 509-527-1960
• Blue Mountain Humane Society (BMHS) 509-525-2452

FAQ

Where does the money from dog licensing go?

All funds received from dog licensing directly support Animal Control and impound services for the animals in our community.

What does Licensing fee pay for?

• Investigations of neglect in Walla Walla County including Wallula and Burbank. Care for impounded strays (abandoned and owned dogs found at-large) in the City and County.
• Medical assistance for injured animals, including payment of vet bills for stray and unclaimed animals.
• Response by a field office to calls from citizens for help with animal conflicts including dog bites, barking dogs, loose dogs and other animal related issues.

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Taking Care of your New Found Friends

Fish

You can’t cuddle with them but fish can be soothing and make great pets. These guidelines refer to goldfish and betta fish, not fancy varieties that require elaborate tanks.

•Time- not a lot of special care of attention is required, but you can’t set a bowl on the mantel and forget about it, either. Fish need to be fed and their bowls cleaned regularly. Get a book on fish care or find a good Web site to learn how to care for your pet.

•Life span- experts swear that goldfish can live 20 years or more with proper care, but most parents will tell you that seldom last more than a few months. Betta fish live two or three years.

•Cost- once again, there’s no such thing as a free pet- even though you might have won it at the State Fair. Goldfish cost pennies at most at pet stores, but the bowl, food, gravel, and accessories add up.

•Children- A fish can teach children about pet ownership and responsibility, but be warned: Once the novelty wears off, Mom’s usually stuck with cleaning the bowl.

Birds

People who enjoy and appreciate birds outdoors often consider buying one as a pet- and they can make great companions.

•Time- Some large domestic birds, such as parrots and macaws, can live up to 70 years, which makes ownership a lifelong commitment. Smaller birds such as parakeets have an average life span of 10-12 years.

•Hygiene- birds can be messy if not cared for properly. Cage linings should be changed daily, and food and water bowls cleaned. At least once a week, the cage and other items- perches, mirrors, toys, ECT - should be cleaned with soap and hot water.

•Noise- tweets and flutter sounds are part of owning a bird. Some may be taught to talk, sing, and do tricks. Large breeds’ voices can be piercing, though, especially if left alone to long.

•Cost- a bird can cost $8-1,000 or more depending on the type. Maintenance costs vary greatly as well, but all require food, cage, supplies, and veterinary care.

•Feeding- a well-balanced diet is crucial- and a lot of work. In addition to commercial seed mixtures, birds should get fresh fruit and vegetables daily and leftovers should be discarded before they spoil.

Dogs

There’s nothing like a dog for companionship, but not all dogs are alike. Temperament, energy level, grooming requirements, and life span vary greatly with breed. A puppy requires more supervision than an older dog. Don’t assume that small dogs are easier.

•Time- pack animals by nature, dogs do best when they spend as much time as possible with their human family. If most of your family is gone most of the time, a dog is probably not right for you.

•Hygiene- expect accidents during house-training- and poop to scoop – long after. Hair is also a factor, though some breeds shed less than others, dogs need to be bathed regularly and have their nails trimmed.

•Noise- terriers and toy breeds tend to be the most vocal, but any dog can annoy the neighbors.

•Cost- dogs are among the most costly pets. Expect to spend about $500.00 a year on food, vet care, vaccinations, flea control, and supplies- and more if the breed requires professional grooming, or if you travel and would need a kennel or pet-sitter.

•Children- experts suggest waiting until your youngest child is at least 3 before introducing a new dog. Small children should never be left alone with any dog.

Cats

Cats regularly surpassed dogs as the most popular pet in America. The following refers to cats that are kept indoors all the time or most of the time.

•Time- cats are most independent than dogs but still require consistent interaction to feel secure. Because they can jump and get into tight areas, cat-proof your home- tie up drapery pulls, hide electrical cords, secures window screens, shut appliance doors, and get rid of poisonous plants.

•Hygiene- cats groom themselves, but long haired cats need frequent brushing and hair-ball preventative. Have a separate litter box for each cat. Scoop it daily and change litter at least weekly to avoid foul odors and prevent your cat from using other areas of the house.

•Claws- cats can damage furniture, draperies, and more with their natural need to scratch. Most experts advise against declawing, however, and say owners instead should trim nails regularly and train cats to use scratching posts.

•Cost- “free” kittens abound, but there’s no such thing as a free pet. Expect to spend about $400.00 a year on food, vet care, vaccinations, litter, flea control, and supplies.

•Children- experts suggest that children be old enough to understand that the cat is not a toy in order to avoid injuries to the cat or the child.

Pocket Pets

So-called “pocket-pets” include hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and rats. Rabbits and ferrets also are popular companions.

•Time- even small, caged pets benefit from daily handling and interaction. It’s the best way to establish trust and get to know the animal’s personality.

•Hygiene- most animals self-clean, but their cages require frequent maintenance.

•Biting- rodents nibble both to explore their environment and to maintain their incisor teeth, which grow continuously. If not socialized properly- or it startled or awakened from a nap- some will nip or bite.

•Cost- an average hamster costs about $6.00 but supplies- cage, food, bedding, vitamins, chew sticks, and exercise toys- can exceed $200.00 a year!

•Children- pocket pets are best with children who are gentle and won’t be scared off by an errant nibble. They can disappear easily if kids aren’t careful. Many live only a few years, so tiny funerals and discussions about death are a part of the equation.

Admin Copyright ©2010 Blue Mountain Humane Society