Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • November 28, 2012 Franklin Lakes Borough amends dog and cat license rules by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Council adopted an ordinance at last week’s public meeting that amends the borough code regarding the way dogs and cats are licensed. Most of the ordinance remains intact, but the designation of the borough clerk as the issuing official has been changed to the generic term “borough,” and the annual renewal deadline date has been changed from the last day of January to the last day of March, after which time a late fee will be imposed. A recent census of households with registered and unregistered pets in the borough revealed that, as of August, there were 480 households with approximately 511 unregistered dogs and 152 unregistered cats. Notices were sent to all those households, and as of Oct. 2, that number was reduced to 166 households with approximately 185 unregistered dogs and 47 unregistered cats. Those dog and cat owners who did not respond were issued summonses that resulted in a $50 fine and a mandated court appearance unless proof of obtaining a license could be provided. According to Sections 157-2 and 157-3 of Article I of Chapter 157 of the borough code, no person can own, keep, or harbor any dog within the borough except in compliance with the provisions of this article of the code, and unless that person first obtains a license and official metal registration tag issued by the borough upon application by the owner and payment of the prescribed fee. Beginning in January each year, applications can be made to the borough for a license and official registration tag for each dog. The tag must be placed upon each dog’s collar or harness with the registration tag securely fastened. The person applying for the license and registration tag must pay the borough $14 for any dog of reproductive age that has not had its reproductive capacity permanently altered through sterilization. The fee is $11 for all other dogs. Proof of sterilization must be provided by a certificate executed by a doctor of veterinary medicine. In the absence of this certificate, it will be assumed that the dog has not been sterilized and is of reproductive age. Each license shall be renewed annually, and the renewals will expire on the last day of March of each year. Dog owners who fail to obtain a license on or before the last day of March must pay a late fee of $5. Guide dogs for people with visual impairments, commonly known as Seeing Eye dogs, must be licensed and registered as all other dogs. However, the owner or keeper of such dog is not required to pay any fee. The application for a license must state the breed, sex, age, color, and markings of the dog for which the license and registration are sought, and whether the animal is of a long-haired or short-haired variety. The application also requires the name, street, and post office address of the owner and/or the person who will keep or harbor the dog. That information is forwarded to the State Department of Health each month on forms furnished by the department. According to Section 157-20 of Article IV of Chapter 157 of the borough code, any person who owns, keeps, or harbors a cat of licensing age must also apply annually to the borough for a license and official registration tag with license number, or a registration sleeve for each cat, and must place on the cat a collar or other device with the license number securely fastened or displayed. Acceptable methods of displaying license numbers include breakaway or elastic collars. The license number and other pertinent information may also be tattooed in the cat’s ear at the expense of the owner, keeper, or person harboring the cat. Any cat that does not display a current license number will be considered a stray and will be subject to being taken into custody by the borough or its agents and impounded at the Bergen County Animal Shelter for disposition in accordance with the shelter’s policies and procedures. The license fee for cats is $6 for each neutered or spayed cat and $9 for each unaltered cat. There is a $4 flat fee for a maximum of four cats and $9 per cat for each cat in excess of four, whether or not neutered or spayed, that are owned, kept, or harbored by a senior citizen (62 years of age or older). Cats brought into the borough must be licensed within 90 days. Cats younger than five months need not be licensed. The annual Holiday Tree Lighting, hosted by the Franklin Lakes Public Library and the Public Events Committee, will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 11. The event will be held on DeKorte Drive between borough hall and the library. Franklin Lakes Mayor and Council members will be on Holiday Tree Lighting set hand to assist, along with students from the Franklin Lakes Middle School Chorus, and a special visitor from the North Pole. Following the tree lighting, the festivities will continue at the library with more entertainment and refreshments. This event will be held rain or shine.