A 246% increase in dog tag sales in Wellington North this year has prompted a new renewal system for 2018.
In her Sept. 25 report to council, clerk Karren Wallace explained 2,052 licences were issued this year after an enumerator hired by the township attended almost every residence in the municipality.
That is a 246% increase over 2016, when only 593 licences were issued.
To encourage more people to licence their dogs year over year, Wallace proposed the township reduce fees for renewal by eliminating the need to dispose of the tag each year.
Currently, the metal dog tags are replaced each year and the dog owner needs to drive to the municipal office in Kenilworth to obtain and pay for the tag.
Wallace recommended moving to an annual renewal of $15 for dogs already licenced and tagged. Fees for licencing new dogs would remain at $25 and replacing tags would cost $10.
“By not having to issue the actual tag every year, that just saves everybody having to drive here on a certain day (and) get their dog tag,” said Wallace.
“It makes it a little bit cheaper for them.”
Mayor Andy Lennox expressed support for the new system.
“It still provides revenue so we can still pay the canine control officer to do the inspections on kennels and gather up those dogs that are lost and those types of things,” he said.
Councillor Lisa Hern asked what the township will do if people do not pay the renewal fee.
“We will send the reminder in December and by about February, I’ll send a second reminder and by March I’ll get our animal control to take maybe 10 or 15 a month and just follow up,” said Wallace.
“People were pretty compliant, but then that was somebody right at the door.”
Wallace added the township can issue fines, which would be added to tax bills.
“I think many of the challenges that we had this year is that people hadn’t been asked for dog tags for a number of years,” said Lennox.
“So if they can get in the habit at a lower rate, it might be more palatable.”
“That was some people’s argument,” said Wallace.
“‘Well I haven’t had to pay for seven years, so why do I have to pay now?’ … Don’t tell me that,” she said.
Issuing 2,052 licences brought in over $51,000 in revenue for the township this year.
With over $46,600 in expenses – enumeration fee, cost of tags and animal control – the township was able to have revenue this year.
