8.02.040 DOG AND CAT LICENSES (County § 6.04.040).

(a) REQUIREMENTS. An annual license fee shall be paid for every dog or cat over the age of four (4) months owned or harbored in this city that has adopted the provisions of this ordinance. Said annual license fee shall be first due when the animal reaches four (4) months of age or within 60 days after the dog or cat is acquired, and due on the anniversary date of the original purchase date each year thereafter. New residents shall have sixty (60) days in which to acquire such license. Persons renewing their license shall have thirty (30) days following their due date before being delinquent and having to pay a late penalty. The fee for such license shall be as set forth in Section 8.02.290. The fee paid for the licensing of spayed or neutered dogs or cats shall be less than said license fee for unaltered dogs or cats upon presentation of the proper certification. The license fee paid by persons over the age of 60 shall be at a discount. For purposes of this section any surcharge on the license fee imposed under Section 8.02.290 shall not be considered part of the license fee. Any person who shall fail to pay such license fee after said fee is due, or said dog or cat is required to be licensed, shall in addition to paying any past due license fee or fees, also pay a penalty in accordance with Section 8.02.290. A license shall be obtained, but no license fee shall be payable for the licensing of any dog being raised, trained or used to assist handicapped persons (such as those provided by Canine Companions) including but not limited to any dog which is being trained for guide or hearing purposes by a resident of the City or used for guide or hearing purposes by a handicapped resident of the City and which has come from a guide or hearing dog training facility such as Canine Companions, or for dogs which have served as a member of the armed forces of the United States of America, or any dog used by a local law enforcement agency for the purposes of crime prevention or control. Dog or cat licenses are not transferable between owners; however, if the dog or cat dies and the owner acquires a new dog or cat, the license is transferable to the new dog or cat. The license does not have to be renewed until the original purchase anniversary date. The fee paid for a dog or cat license is not refundable. Licenses herein provided for shall be signed by the Animal Control Program Manager.

(b) EXEMPTIONS. The licensing provisions in this ordinance are not applicable to the following:

(1) Dogs or cats used for diagnostic purposes or research, the use having been approved by the California State Department of Health Services pursuant to Section 1666 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2) Dogs or cats used for teaching purposes in recognized educational institutions.

(3) Dogs or cats owned by veterinarians which are licensed by the State and kept on the premises used by said veterinarians in their practice.

(4) Dogs or cats kept by owners of pet shops for purposes of sale; for circuses, for animal exhibits, or for other enterprises for which a business license has been granted by a local government.

(c) TAGS. The Animal Control Program Manager shall procure plates or tags which bear the number of the license. A record shall be kept with the name of the owner or possessor together with a description of the dog or cat for which the license is issued and the number of the license, and a tag shall be provided to such person upon payment for such license as provided by this ordinance.

(d) DUPLICATE TAGS. Whenever a tag has been lost or stolen, the owner or possessor of the dog or cat concerned may request a duplicate tag upon payment of the required fee and on making and subscribing to an affidavit of such loss and filing the same with the Animal Control Program Manager.

(e) WEARING OF TAG REQUIRED. The owner of a dog or cat for which a license is required shall affix such tag to a suitable collar, which collar shall remain on the dog or cat at all times.

(f) ALTERNATIVE IDENTIFICATION/IMPLANTS. Dogs and cats with microchip implants or other permanent identification acceptable to the Animal Control Services shall not be required to wear a tag or collar. All other licensing requirements of this Part shall apply to such cat or dog.

(g) RECORDS. The owner or operator of any kennel, animal breeding facility, pet shop, or any place or establishment where animals are sold shall keep a permanent record of the name, address, and phone number of the purchaser of any dog or cat along with the breed, color, sex and age of each dog or cat sold or given away and shall forward such information to the Animal Control Services within thirty (30) days thereafter. Any Animal Control Officer shall have the right to inspect such records during normal business hours, with forty-eight (48) hours prior notice to the owner or operator.

(h) VETERINARIAN RESPONSIBILITIES. Every veterinarian who vaccinates or causes or directs to be vaccinated in the City any dog or cat with anti-rabies vaccine shall certify that such animal has been vaccinated. Every veterinarian shall submit to the licensing authority a copy of the county-approved anti-rabies vaccination form, within ten (10) days of the beginning of each month, for any dog or cat which he/she vaccinates or directs to be vaccinated with anti-rabies during the previous month. An Animal Control Officer or Animal Licensing Officer shall have the right to inspect records of rabies vaccinations during normal business hours.