City lowers the cost to license pets in hopes to get more pet owners to comply

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The city is trying to save money by charging you less to license your pets.

Right now the city said only 10 percent of Kansas City pets are licensed, they hope lowering the cost will help.

“The City’s Animal Shelter receives more than 5,000 lost or abandoned animals annually,” said David Park, director of the Neighborhood and Community Services Department. “Many of the animals are owned pets, but without a license tag, there is no way to contact the owner.”

• All one-year pet licenses are $10 (altered or unaltered pets).
• All three-year pet licenses are $27 (altered or unaltered pets).
• Free ride home program - “licensed” lost or stray pets will be taken home instead of to the shelter one time per year. No ticket will be issued for pets that run at large.
• No shelter fees will be assessed if the owner is home when the pet is returned; half fees will be assessed if the owner cannot be located, and the pet is reclaimed at the shelter.
• Amnesty will be granted on $25 late fees until May 1, 2012.
• All funds generated from license sales support improved care and treatment of animals at the shelter.

Richard Jones was at the city shelter Friday. He was in the process of adopting “Red.”

He said the fact that only 10 percent of Kansas pets are licensed is: “I think that's ridiculous. Licensing is the most important thing you can do for your pet, it protects you, it protects your neighborhood and protects the city in general,” said Jones.

Deletta Dean with the Neighborhood with the Community Service Department said she hopes this change will help the save the city money in several ways.

“It has been our experience that animals that find their way into the shelter it are more difficult - for us to re- home them. So were looking towards that pet license for us to be able to identify those pet owners,” said Dean.

Plus Dean explained, “the revenue generated from the pet license will go to the care of the animals that enter into the shelter. So, again that is another added value.”

Kim Staton the KC Pet Project Director said they certainly could use the money and licensing your pets helps keep them safe.

“If pets are found running loose and they have on their license tags, the animal control officer will make an effort to contact the owner and get the animal back to the owner so the animal does not have to be brought to the shelter, and that can add up to a several hundred dollars in a couple says” said Staton.

The Neighborhood and Community Services Department announces that effective Sunday, Jan. 22, city licensing fees will be reduced.  

And the city is trying to make it easier. Pet owners will be able to license their pet at the City’s Animal Shelter at 4400 Raytown Road, or on-line, www.petdata.com .