June is Dog Licensing Month

"I liked animals all my life, especially dogs," said Albert Moncovich at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall this week.

Moncovich, a Raymond Street resident, was at Town Hall to renew the dog licenses for his pets, Maverick, a 14-year-old chocolate Labrador, and Holly, a 12-year-old long-haired Chihuahua.

"They’re my companions, very good dogs," Moncovich said.

And all that morning a steady stream of Stratford residents trooped in to do the same, because, as Town Clerk Susan Pawluk said, "June is dog licensing month."

At the beginning of this week, the Town Clerk’s office had renewed about 1,100 dog licenses.

"We have close to 3,000 dogs in our town, so we have about 2,000 left to go," Pawluk said.

As always, she expects a big rush next week as dog owners realize the deadline is near.

State law requires all dogs six months and older to be licensed. Dog licenses cost $8 for spayed and neutered dogs, $19 for other dogs. And don’t forget to bring your updated proof of rabies vaccination papers.

If you miss the deadline (June 30 is next Thursday), the penalty is only an extra $1 per month for each dog.

Pawluk asked people not to bring their dogs. That used to be allowed, but no longer, because of a legal liability issue.

"We’re not supposed to allow anyone with dogs in Town Hall," she said. "We really do love to see the dogs, but I’ve been told no go."

Dog owner Jackie Grassia came by to renew her dog’s license. "Just one little Shih Tzu," she said.

Grassia said this was a ritual for her every year. She wrote out a check and received a license tag. In the past, the tags were whimsically shaped like fire plugs and dog bones. This year they look like purple pendants or highway route markers, nobody seemed to know which.

Grassia was sure that many Stratford residents don’t get their dogs licensed, but she saw it as an advantage that benefited both herself and her pet.

"I want to license my pet because I want to do the right thing, and in case he gets lost," said Grassia.

Sara Kerilla of Boston Avenue agreed. She got the licenses renewed for her Boston terriers, Rambo and Cash.

"I think it’s completely necessary. The license is the dog’s ticket home," she said.

Kerilla said she also had her veterinarian implant a tiny computer chip under her dogs’ fur that allows animal control officials and veterinarians to locate their owners. Pass a special electronic wand over the chip and it provides a number that can match the dog and owner through an online registry.

"It’s extra insurance," she said.

Dog owners can now get their dog licenses renewed by mail now. The Town Clerk’s office sent out renewal notices and copies of the form. Just fill it out and send it back with the required rabies vaccination papers and the Town Clerk will mail the license tag back about a week later.

If you didn’t get a renewal form in the mail, you can download one online from the town website.

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