One new measure, the licensing of cats, is a means to reduce the feral cat population as well as the risk of rabies. An annual fee of $10.00 for each neutered male or spayed female and $15.00 for each unsterilized animal would apply to both dogs and cats, with proof of current rabies vaccination required. Attaching the metallic tags issued to the pet’s collar or harness would be necessary. If the animal is unidentified, it would be considered to be running at large and subject to impoundment.
Licensing provides a means of identification and increases the likelihood that a pet will be reunited with its owner. It also encourages responsible pet ownership and ensures that the dog or cat does not present a rabies risk to humans or other animals.
Although some believe that indoor animals (cats, in particular) do not require identification, these animals may be at a higher risk if they find their way outdoors. In a survey of individuals who had lost their cats, 41% reported that these were indoor pets, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.