Village of Lombard to adopt new online dog registry program

LOMBARD, Illinois— The Village of Lombard will begin a new online dog registry program beginning January 1, 2013 that does not require pet owners to pay a fee to the Village.

The new program, initiated by the Environmental Concerns Committee, will allow pet owners to register their pets online through the Village of Lombard's website (or in person at Village Hall or by mail.) Previously, dog owners were required by Village ordinance to purchase a $5 metal ID tag from the Village. While dogs are still required to have an ID tag, they will no longer be available at Village Hall and may be purchased at any number of other locations, including veterinarian offices and local pet stores. Dogs will also still be required to have a rabies tag in addition to the ID tag.

Lombard estimates that there are some 11,000 dogs in the Village, with only about seven percent of them registered. “We actually wanted to ensure that police could identify any dog that was found loose and verify that its rabies shots were up-to-date,” said Trustee Laura Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Environmental Concerns Committee. By revamping the program, the $5 fee is abolished, as is the need to visit Village Hall, she added.

The ID tags that people choose to purchase for their dogs must include the owner's contact information to enable police to contact an owner should a lost dog be found. Identification chips are also available at most veterinarian offices that will allow

the identification of the animal with the wave of a wand.

The online dog registration may be found at www.villageoflombard.org “Quick Links” section.