Are you harboring a fugitive?! MADACC wants you to get your pets licensed! Why is it so important?
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) has announced a first ever animal license late fee “amnesty” period for the entire month of August 2014. This August only, if you forgot to renew your dog or cat license this year or did not apply for one yet, you can get your license without paying a late fee.
Regular license fees are $12 for a spayed/neutered dog or cat, or $24 for an intact dog or cat.
Starting April 1, the fees go up to $18 for a spayed/neutered dog or cat, and $24 for an intact animal.
The participating Milwaukee municipalities are excited about this opportunity to educate the community about the importance and benefits of animal licensing and are hoping to create a safer community for residents and animals alike in the process.
Licensing your dog or cat is important because it helps MADACC reunite lost pets with their owners and indicates that the dog or cat is currently vaccinated for rabies. Many Milwaukee County residents are not aware that licensing is required for both dogs and cats that are 5-months of age and older.
While licensing a companion is often viewed as an inconvenience or an unnecessary cost, licensing provides the peace of mind that if your animal is lost, it will have the best chance of being quickly returned to you.
“Getting your dog or cat a license is the best insurance policy you can get for your furry friend(s)” said Karen Sparapani, Executive Director of MADACC. “Many Milwaukee County residents are not aware of the benefits of licensing an animal. For instance, if your dog or cat is wearing their current license tag when they are picked up as a stray or are brought into MADACC, our staff will “Fast Track” your animal to get them home. We will contact an owner within minutes of picking up your animal to let you know that we have them. We give every licensed animal with a first offense a “free ride home” or we will meet you at the MADACC facility to reunite you without impounding the animal and incurring additional fees. Additionally, MADACC will offer free spay or neuter surgeries to cats and pit bull type dogs that are licensed at the time of reclaim.
In an effort to provide owners with an easy opportunity to get their animal licensed and up to date on rabies vaccines, MADACC is partnering with the Friends of MADACC and Milwaukee Career College as they host a vaccine clinic that will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2014, from 10am to 2pm at the Urban Ecology Center in Washington Park. Rabies and distemper vaccines will be available for $5 each and microchips will be available for $20. In addition, you will be able to get your license there for $12 or $24.
Currently, the following municipalities have confirmed their participation in this program:
Other municipalities have pending participation, so check with MADACC to see if your municipality has been added to the list. Late fees in municipalities that have chosen not to participate will still be collected.
“We realize that this may not be the most exciting event of the summer in Milwaukee,” says Sparapani, “but MADACC and our participating member municipalities are very excited to offer this one-time event, and get the word out to Milwaukee County residents about our licensing benefits. Spending $12 today can save you over $100 if you had to reclaim your animal if it was impounded here.”
MADACC currently rescues and assures safe, temporary shelter, veterinary and humane care for nearly 13,000 stray, unwanted, abandoned, mistreated and injured animals each year — more than any other animal control shelter in Wisconsin.
MADACC provides a central location for owners to find and recover their lost pets at 3839 W. Burnham St. in West Milwaukee and is open seven days a week, including evening hours on weekdays.
MADACC rescues strays and removes dangerous animals from public areas providing effective animal control services by active enforcement of Wisconsin State Statues pertaining to animal welfare. For more information call (414)649-8640 or visit the MADACC website at www.madacc.org
MADACC is open to the public 7 days a week.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the importance of licensing your pet -- and how you can get it done