Pet Licensing Ordinance

Sec. 6-10. Registration of Dogs and Cats Required

An owner of any dog or cat must obtain a registration for such animal within sixty (60) days after the dog or cat is acquired. New residents shall have sixty (60) days to register any dog or cat. Failure to register within the proper time period will result in a late fee, which shall be 50% of the annual license tax registration fee.

In an effort to reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats in Forsyth County and as an incentive to owners of dogs and cats to have their animals sterilized, registration of all nonexempt dogs and cats shall require payment of an annual license tax registration fee, which shall be assessed based upon whether or not the animal is fertile.

Therefore, there is hereby imposed an annual license tax registration fee (hereinafter referred to as “registration fee”) on the privilege of keeping all nonexempt dogs and cats within Forsyth County as outlined below. There is hereby imposed an additional annual registration fee in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per dog on the privilege of keeping a dog within the county that has been declared to be a “dangerous dog” by the county health department or the county Animal Services department as outlined below.

Annual License Tax Registration Fees
	Dogs	Cats	Duplicate Tag	Late Fee
Unfertile (Sterilized)	$5.00	$5.00	$5.00	$2.50
Fertile (Unsterilized)	$25.00	$25.00	$5.00	$12.50
Dangerous Dogs	$100.00	N/A	$5.00	$50.00

The Animal Services Department shall maintain records of the dog and cat registration numbers and the person to whom the registration tag is issued.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use for any dog or cat a registration tag issued for a dog or cat other than the animal for which the registration tag was issued.
It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog or cat to fail to provide any dog or cat with a current registration tag as provided in this section. Such failure shall constitute a violation of this section and a Class 3 misdemeanor as provided by G.S.14-4. No registration or permit will be issued unless written proof of current rabies vaccination is shown at the time of application for registration.
It shall be unlawful for any owner of a dog to fail to provide said animal with a collar or harness to which a current registration tag issued under this section is securely attached. The collar or harness, with attached registration tag, must be worn by the animal at all times, except while the animal is participating in bona fide animal shows, obedience trials, tracking tests, field trials, training events or training schools, or other events sanctioned and supervised by a recognized organization, or except while the animal is involved in lawful hunting activities, provided that the animal’s owner or keeper has the tag in his or her actual possession at these times.
It shall not be required for any owner of a cat to provide said animal with a collar or harness to which the registration tag issued under this section is attached, however, it shall be unlawful for any owner of a cat to fail to have in his or her actual possession a current registration tag for said animal.

Sec. 6-10.1 Application for Registration and Renewal

Initial application for registration may be made at the Department of Animal Services or designated facility, or by mail and shall include the name and address of applicant, description of animal, proof of rabies vaccination, proof of sterilization, if appropriate, and proof of animal’s registration in exempting events (for show animals) or a valid hunting license (for hunting dogs), if applicable, and the appropriate fee. Upon receipt of the application for registration and all required supporting documentation, the Department of Animal Services will issue a durable tag stamped with a registration number.
Registrations issued under this section shall be valid for a term of one year, commencing with the date of issuance. The dog or cat owner must renew the registration annually by submitting a renewal application and paying the appropriate registration fee. Upon receipt of all required documentation and payment of the appropriate fee, if applicable, the Department of Animal Services will issue a new registration to indicate the new period of valid registration. Renewal fees received thirty or more days after expiration will be subject to a late fee, which shall be 50% of the registration fee.
If a registration tag is lost or stolen, a duplicate tag may be obtained by completing an application for duplicate tag and paying the appropriate fee. A duplicate tag cannot be issued until 15 days after the application and fee are received by the Department of Animal Services. Application forms for duplicate tags are available from the Department of Animal Services or other designated facility.

Sec. 6-10.2 Registration Payment Exemptions

Owners of the following dogs and cats must complete an application for registration, but are exempt from paying the annual registration fee:
1. Handicap assistance dog, provided the dog is sterilized.
2. An animal, which is a working member of a law enforcement or public safety agency, regardless whether the animal is fertile or unfertile.
3. Any animal in the care and custody of a not-for-profit
  501(c)3 animal welfare organization that requires sterilization before adoption.
An owner of a fertile dog or fertile cat which participates in at least three (3) nationally recognized conformation shows or professionally organized events during the previous twelve month period shall be exempt from paying the twenty-five ($25.00) dollars registration fee for the show animal. The registration fee for such an exempt owner shall be five ($5.00) dollars for each such dog or cat. In order to qualify for said exemption, each year the owner must furnish the County with proof of the animal’s registration in the exempting events.
An owner of fertile hunting dogs shall be exempt from paying the twenty-five ($25.00) dollars registration fee for each hunting dog. The registration fee for such an exempt owner shall be five ($5.00) dollars for each such dog. In order to qualify for said exemption, each year the owner must furnish the County with a valid hunting license.
An owner of a fertile dog or cat, who provides the county with a written statement from a licensed veterinarian which states that, due to the animal’s health, the animal cannot be sterilized, shall be exempt from paying the twenty-five ($25.00) dollars registration fee for that animal. The registration fee for such an animal shall be five ($5.00) dollars.
The annual registration fee may be waived for the first 12 month period a dog or cat is registered as spayed or neutered. A certificate from a veterinarian, or if such is unavailable, a statement from the owner under oath, must be presented certifying that the dog or cat for which a registration application is made is either a spayed female or a neutered male.