Township institutes paperless licensing procedure

[Cranbury Press]

CRANBURY: Township institutes paperless licensing procedure
Thursday, January 15, 2009 12:02 PM EST
By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer

CRANBURY — Township officials are concerned that a new paperless system has local pet owners confused on the annual dog licensing process.

”We realize residents are normally accustomed to receiving their dog license application forms in the newsletter each December,” said Kathleen Cunningham, municipal clerk. “The Township Committee, to keep the tax rate low, has decided to no longer send the town newsletter to residents’ homes.”

Last year at this time the township had received approximately 60 license applications, she said. During the same period this year, the township has processed 22 licenses.

Dog licensing serves several purposes and is a state requirement, Ms. Cunningham said.

”In order to obtain a license a dog must have a rabies vaccination, should the dog bite someone,” she said. “It also helps if an animal gets lost. If someone finds a dog they call the town. We look it up and give the person’s name to police or whoever.”
Puppies must have a rabies vaccination the first year, while adult dogs are required to receive the vaccination every three years, Ms. Cunningham said.

In order to receive a license, vaccination records must be 10 months current, meaning if you register your animal in January the vaccination cannot expire prior to October, she said.

A licensing fee can range from $7 to $10 and the deadline to turn in the application is Feb. 2, before a $2 late fee will apply.The Board of Health will issue fines to any owners whose dog is unlicensed.

Although the township halted its mass mailings of the newsletters for 2009, there are still some copies available at the municipal building, the library or online at the township’s Web site.

”We will reduce the use of paper wherever possible,” said Mayor Pari Stave at Monday’s Township Committee meeting. “All voluminous documents will be sent via e-mail.”

The 2009 registration application forms can be picked up at the municipal building or downloaded from the township Web site at www.cranburytownship.org/forms.html#clerk.

Cranbury officials are hoping that by promoting online communication they will not only cut down municipal costs but also streamline the dialogue between residents and the township.

”If you are not signed up for updates on the township Web site, we encourage residents to do so by going to the township’s home page,” Ms. Cunningham said.

http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2009/01/15/cranbury_press/news/doc496f698b22d0f789655965.txt

[Guest]

So if my dog's rabies vac. expires in April 2009, I can't get a licence? That doesn't make any sense.

[Guest]

See above "In order to receive a license, vaccination records must be 10 months current, meaning if you register your animal in January the vaccination cannot expire prior to October, she said"

[Guest]

[Guest]

Well, thanks for posting this story. I, like many others I'm guessing, were reminded by that newsletter that was sent out. And I was wondering what happened to it. My guess was they stopped it due to expense and now I know!

[Guest]

I liked the township newsletter too. It was a great resource filled with dates and phone#'s that I posted on my bulletin board.

Perhaps the township should look into posting the newletter online and also send it via email. For those without internet access - maybe they could make a deal with the Cranbury Press to print it and delivery it with the newspaper.

I mean really, how much money are we talking about? Could it be $500 or $750? We spent more on cost overruns on the"If we build it they will come" babe Ruth baseball field.

[Guest]

[Jay T.]

[Guest]

An on-line (e.g. pdf) version will be great.

[Guest]

[Jay T.]

I believe the issue is due to the state mandate on census of unregistered dogs. If your dog is registered one year and not the next then the town has to confirm the reason why. If there were multiple times in a year when you could register then the process for validation would be a nightmare. So to simplify the process they have the licenses renew in January.

[Guest]

Then to simplify the process, you should be able to register your dog in January even if its rabies shot is due in April.

[Guest]

Except that a rabies vaccine is good for 3 years and state law mandates that they can't expire before October as that is near year end. It's pretty easy to get the rabies shot. There is a free clinic in April and the shot can be administered before it's due. So it the shot expire in August 2009 you can get the April rabies shot.

[Guest]

Yes but if the shot expires in April, you can't renew the license

[Guest]

But you can get the shot done the prior April or anytime between now and then. It's a state law, not a town law.