Issue of the Month: Kent County Animal Shelter Services

Kent County’s Animal Shelter is making a concerted effort to inform residents of the service offered to citizens regarding animal management in our county. The Shelter has 6 Animal Control Officers who are on duty or call 24 hours a day to address public safety and law enforcement in regards to animals. The specific duties of the Animal Control Officers are (1) help animals who are roaming freely, or have inadequate shelter or care, (2) enforce licensing and anti-cruelty regulations (3) impound stray dogs or livestock (4) issue corrective actions or citations for unlicensed, unvaccinated, or aggressive animal behavior and (5) investigate reports of dog bites and cruelty complaints. Local police get involved with complaints about barking dogs or other disruptive issues. The Animal Shelter is working on an awareness campaign to remind residents of the three “L’s”—leash, license, and love your dog. The Animal Shelter handles licensing—a state law requirement for all dogs—and charges $26 for a dog license (less if the dog is spayed or neutered), and offers a senior’s discount of 1/2 of the charges. Please help our animal friends have a quality life by complying with the Health Department’s animal control efforts. You may call the animal control officers at 632-7300 or your local police department.