by whistle blower » Fri Nov 21, 2003 9:25 am
SECTION 11. DOG AND CAT RABIES/LICENSE TAGS.
A. Adult dogs and cats
1. Every person who is the owner of any adult dog or cat shall secure from the Division or an authorized veterinarian/clinic an adult dog or cat rabies/license tag. The Division shall provide suitable tags for sale through authorized veterinarians/clinics.
2. No adult rabies/license tag for dogs or cats shall be issued or renewed until evidence of vaccination for rabies by a licensed veterinarian has been presented. Upon vaccinating a dog or cat against rabies, authorized veterinarians/clinics shall have available for purchase by the dog or cat owner, a Palm Beach County rabies/license tag. The rabies/license tag shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of vaccination and must be renewed annually. No adult rabies/license tag shall be valid after the expiration of the rabies vaccination, regardless of the date of issuance.
3. Failure to secure and purchase a new adult tag within thirty (30) calendar days after the previous tag expires will result in a late penalty. The Board is hereby authorized to establish by resolution the cost for the late penalty.
4. All adult dogs shall be required to wear a valid county tag, except as provided for in Laws of Florida, Chapter 69-1432, Section 1. Any person to whom a tag has been issued shall cause the tag to be securely fastened about the dog's neck by a collar, harness or other substantial device so as to be clearly visible at all times. Dogs housed in a secure enclosure may be exempt from wearing the required tag while kept in the enclosure, as long as the tag is securely fastened to a collar/harness and that device is attached to the enclosure. Dogs participating in a registered field trial, obedience trial and confirmation show and/or match are not required to wear such tags during the time of the event.
5. All adult cats shall be required to:
a. Wear a valid Palm Beach County tag, except as provided for in Laws of Florida, Chapter 69-1432, Section 1. Any person to whom a tag has been issued shall cause the tag to be securely fastened about the cat's neck by a collar, harness or other substantial device so as to be clearly visible at all times; or
b. Be tattooed on the inside right ear with a number that is not to exceed six (6) digits. Such number shall be tattooed at the owner's sole expense. Each number is to be at least one-quarter inch (1/4") in height and be clearly visible. Such number is to be provided by the owner on all official county vaccination and tag certificates; or
c. Be implanted with an electronic animal identification device (EAID).
6. Every person who owns an adult dog or cat in the county shall be required to secure a dog or cat rabies/license tag pursuant to the following schedule:
a. Within thirty (30) calendar days after becoming an adult; or
b. Within thirty (30) calendar days after a juvenile tag expires; or
c. Within thirty (30) calendar days of acquiring a dog or cat; or
d. Within thirty (30) calendar days after entering the jurisdiction of this Ordinance.
7. All authorized veterinarians/clinics shall have Palm Beach County rabies/license tags available for purchase by dog or cat owners or their agents who present evidence to the veterinarian that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies pursuant to Section 10 - RABIES VACCINATIONS. For a one (1) year vaccination, the effective date of the license tag shall be the date on which the dog or cat was last vaccinated against rabies. For a three (3) year vaccination, the effective date will be one (1) and two (2) years following the date of vaccination. In no case shall the rabies/license tag be effective for more than one (1) year.
B. Juvenile dogs and cats
1. Every person or entity that is the owner of a juvenile dog or cat shall secure a juvenile license tag from the Division, an authorized veterinarian/clinic or an authorized representative. The Division shall provide suitable juvenile tags for sale through an authorized veterinarian/clinic or authorized representatives.
2. Every person or entity that obtains a juvenile license tag shall have the dog or cat vaccinated against rabies by three (3) months of age, but no later than four (4) months of age. The juvenile tag shall expire fourteen (14) months from the date of issuance if the owner obtains a rabies vaccination before the animal becomes an adult. Failure to obtain a rabies vaccination before four (4) months of age will void the juvenile tag after the dog or cat is an adult. In such cases, the owner must obtain an adult license. After the fourteen (14) month period, all owners of dogs and cats with juvenile license tags must comply with the adult license tag requirements.
3. No person shall be issued a juvenile tag for any animal over four (4) months of age.
4. Failure to secure and purchase a new adult tag within thirty (30) calendar days after the juvenile tag expires will result in a late penalty. The Board is hereby authorized to establish by resolution the cost for the late penalty.
5. All authorized veterinarians/clinics and authorized representatives shall have Palm Beach County juvenile license tags available for purchase by dog and cat owners or their agents.
C. All authorized veterinarians/clinics and authorized representatives shall remit payment for rabies/license tags sold according to procedures established by the Division. All authorized veterinarians/clinics and representatives are encouraged to issue one (1) business check monthly for rabies/license tags sold. Failure to follow the procedures established by the Division will result in the requirement that a business check from the authorized entity be issued to the Division on a monthly basis. A monthly rabies/license tag report form for purposes of tabulating tags sold and amount owed shall be supplied by the Division.
D. Schedule of fees and payments
The Board is hereby authorized to establish by resolution:
1. A schedule of fees for all license tag costs.
2. A schedule of payments or handling fees to authorized veterinarians/clinics and representatives who participate in the sale of dog and cat license tags.
E. General license tag requirements for adult and juvenile dogs and cats
1. The address of the owner shall be presumed to be the abode of the dog or cat. All changes of address must be reported to the Division within thirty (30) calendar days following such change.
2. Any changes of ownership of any dog or cat, be it by sale, transfer or otherwise, shall be reported in writing to the Division by the original or new owner within thirty (30) calendar days after ownership changes.
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© 2003 Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners. Last modified: 03/22/2003 10:20 AM. Disclaimer