Animal control is going door-to-door in Stanislaus County. How to avoid a $251 fine

During the pandemic, dog owners became lax about renewing their dogs’ licenses and the Stanislaus County Animal Services Agency became lax about enforcement.

Now, an estimated two-thirds of the county’s dog population is unlicensed, the agency’s executive director, Vaughn Maurice, said.

To remedy this, animal control officers have begun door-to-door enforcement of the dog license ordinances in the agency’s coverage area of Modesto, Ceres, Waterford, Patterson, Hughson and all unincorporated areas of the county.

Licenses are $12 a year for spayed and neutered dogs or $150 a year for unaltered dogs. The prices are half that for seniors 65 or older.

Maurice urges people to get their dogs licensed now to avoid a $251 citation. He said officers will start with warnings but will begin issuing citations “as soon as we feel there is enough time to get the word out.”

Licensing can save you money and stress in the event your dog gets lost. An unlicensed dog brought to the shelter will incur housing fees, and the longer it takes to find an owner, the more it will cost.

People could get a “$300 to $400 bill to get their dog out of doggy prison,” Maurice said.

Licensing is also a public health issue because the dog must be up to date on its vaccinations.

“In the event that your dog bites someone, the animal control officers can quickly determine the dog’s vaccination status,” according to a news release from the agency.

Here’s how to register your pet in Modesto before animal control knocks on your door

The fees for dog licenses go toward providing medical care, shelter, food and other necessities to homeless pets in Stanislaus County, according to the release.

Maurice said animal control officers won’t just be visiting homes where they know there are dogs with expired licenses. They will also go to areas where records show there is an unusually low percentage of dog licenses, looking for dogs that never have been licensed.

With tens of thousands of dogs in the agency’s coverage area, Maurice said the process could take more than 18 months.

To purchase or renew your dog’s license, visit www.stanislausanimalservices.com/licensing.shtm.