By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Hays city staff is encouraging residents to register all pets before the deadline coming up in just a few weeks.

According to City Clerk Brenda Kitchen, the registration deadline is usually March 1, but this year the first falls on a Saturday — pushing up this year’s deadline to Friday, Feb. 28.

Kitchen said verification of updated immunizations is required before registering.

The fee is $5 for spayed and neutered dogs and cats and 10$ for pets not spayed or neutered. The city then will issue a tag to be displayed on the pet collar.

Kitchen said registration “keeps the community and pets safe by identifying ownership and ensuring the animals are kept up to date on their rabies vaccination.”

Its also the law. If a pet is loose and found by animal control after the March 1 deadline, the pet owner must pay $10 per month the dog or cat was not registered.

Licenses can be purchased at the city clerk’s office, 1507 Main. For more information, visit the city’s website.