Beginning July 1, 2007, dog owners who
reside in Jefferson County and in portions of Adams County will be required to license their pets. The affected areas include
both the incorporated and unincorporated sections of Jefferson County, and the cities of Arvada and Westminster, including
those residents who live in the Adams County portions of those cities. Licensing is simple—residents complete a short
registration form, pay the fee, and receive a collar tag for their dogs to wear in addition to the rabies tag.
Many cities and counties in Colorado
already require similar licensing, including the city and County of Denver.
The licensing requirement is designed
to accomplish several goals. With licensing, more lost or stolen pets can be reunited with their owners. The County will maintain
a database of the pet and owner information, including the pet’s medical needs or concerns listed on the registration
form by the owner. The database will be accessible by all participating jurisdictions. The licensing fee structure is designed
to encourage pet spays and neuters, which will reduce the number of unwanted pets and unwanted pet euthanasias. Owners must
also provide proof of a current rabies vaccination, which will ensure that pets continue to be inoculated against this dangerous
disease. In addition, a portion of the fees for this license will be allocated to the fund for building a new facility for
Table Mountain Animal Center. TMAC is one of the area’s largest pet adoption centers, and serves as the holding area
for pets found by animal control officers and pets relinquished by their owners. Licensing also helps animal control officers
preserve public safety by enabling them to track dogs with histories of aggressive behavior.
To get a dog license, pet owners can
go to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Animal Control Division office at 700 Jefferson County Parkway, room 160, to obtain
the registration form and tag and pay the fees. Proof of a current rabies vaccine is required. Alternatively, pet owners
can complete the registration form, pay the fee, and obtain the tag at several licensing sites.
Pets Vet of Arvada is an authorized licensing
site for the Jefferson County Dog Licensing Program.
For more information, visit the Jefferson
County Sheriff Department’s web page on dog licensing: http://jeffco.us/sheriff/sheriff_T62_R210.htm
