SECTION 4. DOG, CAT, AND FERRET REGISTRATION AND LICENSE TAGS; REQUIREMENTS; FEES; EXEMPTIONS; CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP

1. REQUIREMENTS
   1. Except as provided for in section 4(C) of this Ordinance, all DOGS, CATS, and FERRETS that are 4 months of age or older must be registered with the DEPARTMENT. The length of time that such REGISTRATION will remain valid may be based on the expiration of the ANIMAL's RABIES VACCINATION, but in no instance shall it be greater than 1 year.
   2. Except as provided for in section 4(C) of this Ordinance, all DOGS and CATS in the COUNTY that are at least 4 months of age or older must have been issued a TAG. The length of time that such TAG will remain valid may be based on the expiration of the ANIMAL's RABIES VACCINATION, but in no instance shall it be greater than 1 year.
   3. In order to register or renew REGISTRATION for a DOG, CAT, or FERRET, a current and complete REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE must be provided to the DEPARTMENT along with any and all applicable FEES for the REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE and TAG.
   4. The TAG may be obtained either from the DEPARTMENT, a VETERINARIAN, or any other organization authorized by the DEPARTMENT pursuant to Section 23 of this Ordinance. Only REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES signed by a VETERINARIAN and TAGS approved for issuance by the DEPARTMENT shall be valid.
2. FEES
   1. The FEE for REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES and TAGS shall be established by BOCC Policy. There shall be a differential between the FEE assessed for REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES and TAGS of INTACT DOGS or CATS versus STERILIZED ANIMALS, with INTACT ANIMALS to be charged at a higher rate.
   2. There will be no TAG FEE assessed for SERVICE ANIMALS.
   3. There will be no REGISTRATION FEE or TAG FEE assessed to APPROVED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES or government owned or operated ANIMAL shelters.
3. EXEMPTIONS TO REGISTRATION AND TAG REQUIREMENTS
   1. Visiting DOGS, CATS, or FERRETS The REGISTRATION and TAG requirements of this Ordinance shall not apply to any ANIMAL that will only remain in the COUNTY for a period of 90 days or less and for which the DEPARTMENT has been provided proof of domicile outside of the COUNTY, a current, valid certificate of RABIES VACCINATION, and any applicable registration, required license, or permit required by the laws of the jurisdiction of domicile. This exemption is not intended to apply to those ANIMALS that are born or raised in the COUNTY for possible distribution outside the COUNTY.
   2. Newly acquired The OWNER of a newly acquired DOG, CAT, or FERRET shall have 30 days to register the ANIMAL and obtain a TAG for the DOG or CAT. This provision does not excuse the previous OWNER from any applicable REGISTRATION or TAG requirements.
   3. AUTHORIZED SHELTERS The COUNTY SHELTER, shall be exempt from the REGISTRATION and TAG requirements of this Ordinance. AUTHORIZED SHELTERS and ANIMAL RESCUE ADOPTION ORGANIZATIONS REGISTRATION and TAG requirements will be provided for by RESOLUTION.
4. CHANGES IN OWNER INFORMATION
   The PERSON named as the OWNER and the address, as it appears on the REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, shall be prima facie evidence of ownership and domicile of the ANIMAL. The DEPARTMENT must be notified within 30 days of any change in ownership or any other change in the information contained in the REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE including the address or telephone number.
   
5. COSTS
   The OWNER is responsible for all costs associated with the REGISTRATION and TAG requirements of this Ordinance.

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