September 18, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Franklin Lakes Ordinance allows three-year dog licenses by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Council has adopted an ordinance that will permit borough residents to obtain three-year licenses for their dogs. Under the ordinance, any person who owns, keeps, or harbors a dog of licens- ing age in the borough must apply for and procure a license and official metal reg- istration tag during the month of March each year for each dog owned, kept, or harbored. The license will be valid for a one-year or three-year period depending on the fee paid, and each such dog must have a collar or harness with the registration tag securely fastened to it. A one-year license will be $14 for any dog of reproductive age that has not had its reproductive capacity permanently altered through sterilization, and $11 for all other dogs. A one-year license will expire on the last day of March of the year following the issuance of the license. A three-year license will be $42 for any dog of reproductive age which has not had its reproductive capacity permanently altered through sterilization, and $33 for all other dogs. A three-year license will expire on the last day of March of the third year following the issuance of the license. Proof of sterilization must be provided by a certificate executed by a doctor of veterinary medicine. In the absence of such a certificate, it will be assumed that the dog has not been sterilized and is of reproductive age. Persons who fail to obtain a license on or before the last day of March must pay a late payment fee of $5 to obtain a license. Failure to obtain a license could result in a summons, fine, and/or an appearance in municipal court. The ordinance contains an exception for guide dogs, also called Seeing Eye dogs, used by blind and visually impaired persons. These dogs must be registered in the same manner as other dogs, but the owner or keeper of such a dog will not be required to pay any license fee. Under this ordinance, cats must also be licensed. Cat licensing fees are $6 for each neutered or spayed cat and $9 for each unaltered cat. Proof of sterilization must be provided by a veterinarian’s cer- tificate. Senior citizens (age 62 or older) will pay a $4 flat fee for a maximum of four cats and $9 per cat for each cat in excess of four, regardless of the animals’ reproduc- tive status. Persons who fail to obtain a license for their cat on or before the last day of July each year must pay a late payment fee of $5. Failure to obtain a license for a cat could also result in a summons, fine, and/ or an appearance in municipal court. Acceptable methods of displaying license numbers on cats include break- away or elastic collars, but license tags or sleeves are not transferable. License numbers and other pertinent information can also be tattooed in the cat’s ear at the expense of the owner, keeper, or harborer of the cat. Any cat not displaying 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 shel- ter’s policies and procedures. The application for a dog or cat license must include the breed, sex, age, color, and hair length of the animal for which the license and registration are sought, and whether the animal is neutered or spayed. The application also requires the name, street and post office address of the owner and/or the person who will keep or harbor the animal. A 2012 census of borough households with registered and unregistered pets revealed that, as of August 2012, there were 480 households with approximately 511 unregistered dogs and 152 unregis- tered cats in the borough. Notices were sent to all those households. As of Oct. 2, 2012, there were 166 households with approximately 185 unregistered dogs and 47 unregistered cats in the borough. Town Fair this weekend The 2013 Franklin Lakes Town Fair, set for this weekend, will be held in front of borough hall on DeKorte Drive. Fair visitors may rock n’ roll the night away on Friday, Sept. 20 when the “School of Rock” stage will have local bands playing, games hosted by the Lions Club, and car- nival rides will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. The fair will continue on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many local businesses, members of the Cham- ber of Commerce, school and community organizations, houses of worship, crafters, and food vendors are participating in this year’s celebration. The Franklin Lakes Library’s booth will feature balloon art by Mad Hatters Balloon Sculptures from 1 to 4 p.m. Gina Minichino will be drawing caricatures from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Carnival rides and food will remain available until 8 p.m. The Republican Club’s booth will be open from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Candidates and elected officials are invited to stop by and meet voters. A shuttle bus sponsored by Stop-n- Shop will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday between Pulis Avenue Recre- ation Center, Franklin Avenue Middle School, VFW and the fair. The rain date for the fair is Sept. 22.