More Belmont Cats, Dogs Get Their License On

The great Belmont pet roundup is a success.

By Friday, the month long combined effort of Town Clerk Ellen O'Brien Cushman and the Animal Control Officer John Maguranis has resulted in a marked increase in the number of owners who had their animals licensed.

"We're feeling pretty good," said Cushman. 

In August, Cushman sent out 600 cards to homeowners and residents who did not licensed their pets in the past year, reminding them they risk a $25  fine. 

As of Friday, 801 cats and 1,413 dogs were made legal due in large part to the extension to the license deadline of the town's by-law, which requires dogs and cats more than four months old to be certified by March 15.

In 2009, 758 cats and 1,297 dogs were licensed. 

Cushman said the reaction to the notification cards has been overwhelmingly positive with only one resident upset with the card.

"People came in thanking us because they had forgot about the license or that this reminded them that they needed to have their pets vaccinated," said Cushman.

While resident response has been excellent, Cushman said 167 homeowners will be receiving a noncriminal notice that they and their pets are scofflaws.