Experts project that there are as many as 103,000 household dogs in Long Beach, and, to date, only about 29,000 of those dogs have a current paid license and rabies vaccination registered with the City.
“This presents a public health and safety threat to our neighborhoods,” says Ronald R. Arias, director of Health and Human Services. “We encourage responsible pet ownership. Compliance with state laws is about being a good neighbor and keeping our neighborhoods safe.” Licensing is also city law, and violators face $50 and $100 citations.
Recent outbreaks of canine distemper and a confirmed case of rabies nearby have highlighted the importance of licensing and vaccinating pets. Last week, the City began distributing 170,000 flyers through utility bills in both English and Spanish, encouraging dog owners to get registered.
Now, Animal Care Services is asking residents to help identify unlicensed or unvaccinated animals in their neighborhood by submitting anonymous reports of unregistered animals. “All we need is the address and the number of animals at the property,” says John Keisler, manager of Animal Care Services. “We will scan the history of the address and follow up.” Violators may be cited and subject to fines.
Residents can make anonymous reports of unlicensed or unvaccinated dogs, or find more information about licensing their pets in the following ways:
• Phone: (562) 570-PETS (7387)
• Email: animalcare@longbeach.gov
• Licensing Online: longbeach.gov/acs/pet_license/default.asp
