Can someone explain this to me? I have to pay the locality, annually, for the right to adopt an abandoned, stray dog from the shelter and feed it and provide it medical care for the rest of it’s life. How is there any justice in that?
And you only have to pay it on dogs and cats. If I wanted to live with 35 chinchilas, or a house full of boa constrictors and feeder mice, no licensing. Horses? No licensing. Goats? Nada. And seriously–there are folks that keep horses and goats as pets in very residential areas. They are not being kept as livestock. How is that fair?
And can it get any more absurd–the cost is like $3 (depending on where you live). Like that covers the cost of anything associated with providing animal control services. By the time you take out the cost of paying someone to make up the licensing paperwork, file the paperwork, send notices to everyone that didn’t pay, research and follow-up on payments, etc. You haven’t made a dime. (Not to mention that animal control services are supposed to be paid for from my property taxes, anyway.)
Now they’ve started collaborating with the veterinarian practices to compare records and hunt down folks that have a pet receiving treatment but don’t have a license. Besides the fact that I think that’s a breach of privacy (with medical records, no less)–how much does that cost, to collect a measly $3.
I’ve lived in civil disobedience on this one for over 20 years and I just got a notice from the County (first time in 20 years of dog ownership!) which Mr. Fix-It is going to insist that we pay. (He’s responsible like that.) I just thought I would point out that I’ll be sending this check under duress and in full social rebellion. The darn check, envelope, and stamp is half the value of the fee! I don’t care if there is “legislation” so don’t bother quoting me State code–I think it’s down right unconstitutional. It’s certainly isn’t encouraging folks to “provide for the general welfare” of our 4-footed companions, and it’s definitely interfering with my “pursuit of happiness.”
Oh, and you think I’m fussing about pet licensing–you should hear me when the personal property tax bills come in!
But that would be my political debate night soapbox for the day! {grin}
Are there any “rules” that drive you crazy?
