DEPARTMENT: Animal Care Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Kathy Davis
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance amending Chapter 5 of the City Code.
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance amending Chapter 5 of the City Code of San Antonio, Texas, by requiring that a registered microchip replace a pet license tag as part of the City's licensing program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In FY 2012, ACS began implementing its newly revised Strategic Plan by incorporating the three strategic priorities of: (1) enhanced enforcement; (2) controlling the stray animal population and; (3) increasing the live release rate. The initiative set forth in this proposed ordinance amendment is aligned with, and a component of, two ACS Strategic Priorities: Enhanced Enforcement and Increasing the Live Release rate.
History of ACS Licensing Program
Like many cities across the country, San Antonio utilizes a licensing program with the intent to assist ACS with returning pets to their owner, gauge the number of pets in our community and ensuring pets are vaccinated for rabies. Current ordinance requires any cat or dog 4 months and older be licensed with the City and requires a tag worn on the pet's collar or harness. Pet owners are also required to keep a corresponding certificate as part of their pet's paperwork. City licenses are purchased on a tiered-pricing schedule to incentivize and reward pet owners who have sterilized pets. Residents who own sterilized pets can purchase a City license at an aggressively discounted price. Owners must provide proof of current rabies vaccination in order to purchase a City license.
The City licensing program is separate from the State-mandated rabies vaccination program which requires all cats and dogs be vaccinated against rabies. A rabies vaccination can be obtained from any veterinarian. In addition to the license tag, vaccinated pets are required to wear a rabies tag to identify that the pet is vaccinated ag...
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