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Pet licence patrol wants you - and your little dog, too

(--Continued from home page--) Recently busted cat owner Jeff Moulden, who lives in a part of Etobicoke targeted earlier last week, said the surprise knock at the door rubbed him the wrong way.

"I can understand it and I think they need to control the animal population ... but I really didn't like that technique."

During the campaign, students paid by the city approach homes, identify why they are there and ask homeowners if they have any unlicensed dogs or cats. The information is then recorded for use in a database and will be followed up by officials with the city's animal services branch. Homes with licensed pets are not on the list to be visited.

Failure to get the proper paperwork will result in a written warning. Then come the fines, starting at $240 and going up to $5,000. Pet owners can purchase the licence at the door or take the paperwork they need to complete the process.

Moulden said he resents being "tricked" by a student going door-to-door into admitting he is legally liable to pay fees for his two indoor cats. Both cats are spayed females.

"I don't understand the need to because they will never go out, and I am certainly not going to hang a tag on my indoor cat."

For dogs, a licence for a spayed or neutered animal is $25. If the dog has not been sterilized the fee is $60. Spayed and neutered cats cost $15 to license. If they have not been sterilized the fee is $50.

When the students drop by and a pet owner is not home but there are visible signs of animal life – like barking or nose prints on the front window – the students leave a brochure titled "There's no point hiding," bearing the image of a German pointer with a white lampshade covering its spotted head. They will also leave a form informing owners about the bylaw.

"If there is evidence of a cat or dog they will leave a pet licence request form. They don't peer into the backyards," said Marianne Sirro, manager for the licensing strategy.

An Ipsos Reid poll in July 2007 estimated there were 215,000 dogs and 323,000 cats within city limits, she said. Only about 15 per cent of dogs and 4 per cent of cats were thought to be licensed.

Sirro said the approach has drawn a few complaints, but most people are happy to have a convenient way to comply with the bylaw. Many owners don't know about the bylaw until a student visits, she said.

"It's not a ticket. It's a request to voluntarily comply with the bylaw."

Moulden is still sorting out what he plans to do. He said he knows he is on record as needing to pay up, but he doesn't like to feel forced.

Licensing should be voluntary, following an awareness campaign, he said. Anything would be better than just coming to the door.

Click Here to read the entire article online at thestar.com

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