DATE: Wednesday, July 2, 1997               TAG: 9707010427

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: 3B   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Public Life 

SOURCE: John-Henry Doucette

LENGTH: 40 lines

HOW TO ...VACCINATE AND LICENSE YOUR PET

Vaccinate and license your pet

A pet owner has four months from the time he or she gets a dog or cat to have it vaccinated. The law applies to indoor and outdoor pets, even if they are kept on a military base.

For dogs, all Hampton Roads cities require annual licenses, which will not be issued or renewed until an animal has been vaccinated.

For cats, the regulations vary. Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk do not require licenses. Cats need annual licenses in Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

The regulations and fees:

Chesapeake: Obtain licenses at the city treasurer's office, some veterinary hospitals and a few hardware stores. Fees are $10 for unneutered animals, $4 for neutered ones.

Norfolk: Obtain licenses at the city treasurer's office, local hardware stores and the Norfolk SPCA at 916 Ballentine Blvd. Fees are $5 for neutered animals, $10 if they are unneutered.

Portsmouth: Obtain licenses at the humane society or the city treasurer's office. Fees are $5 if pet is neutered, $10 if not.

Suffolk: Dogs must be licensed before they are 6 months old. Obtain licenses at the city treasurer's office.The fee is $5.

Virginia Beach: Obtain licenses at the city treasurer's office, the SPA at 3040 Holland Road or at the animal control office at 2665 Leroy Drive. Fees are $2 for neutered animals, $10 for unneutered.

For more information, call:

Chesapeake Animal Control: 487-2212.

Norfolk Animal Control: 664-7387.

Portsmouth Humane Society: 397-6004.

Suffolk Animal Control: 925-6416.

Virginia Beach Animal Control: 427-4158.

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