Rabies shots might cost more for non-neutered pets
Lake County pet owners who don't have their pets spayed or neutered may pay double for rabies shots.
The Lake County board of health is considering revising its animal/rabies control program by increasing fees for rabies tags and microchips, boarding, and other services.
The impetus for the fee hikes is purely budgetary, said Anthony Smithson, Lake County Health Department environmental health services director.
But officials also hope to send a message to pet owners that unfixed pets are unsafe.
"It's a huge problem," Smithson said. "It's not just a population issue, but nuisance behavior in cats and aggressive behavior in dogs is moderated by spaying and neutering. It's a safety issue."
Smithson said 1,500 dogs and cats picked up by Lake County animal control each year are not returned to their owners. Many of those animals have not been fixed and end up in pet orphanages.
Under the current proposal, rabies tag fees for pets that haven't been spayed or neutered would rise from $25 to $40 for a one-year tag and from $50 to $125 for a three-year tag. Tag fees for spayed and neutered pets also will increase but are much cheaper: $10 for the one-year tag and $25 for the three year tag.
"Our fees for non-neutered animals have always been higher," Smithson said. "If we raise the fees high enough, they might decide to just have the surgery instead."
Having an animal spayed or neutered can cost $100 to $150, about the same as a three-year rabies tag.
"We're hoping to get results and ultimately we're hoping that we don't ever have to collect that fee," Smithson said.
The health department offers financial help to low-income residents for spaying and neutering pets. Last year, it spent $150,000 for the program funded through a grant.
A public hearing on the proposed ordinance revisions is set for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Lake County Division of Transportation Offices, 600 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. Written comments received by 5 p.m. Tuesday will be read into the record.
Comments may be mailed to the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, c/o Anthony Smithson, environmental health director, 3010 Grand Ave., Waukegan, IL 60085, faxed to (847) 249-4972, or emailed to asmithson@co.lake.il.us.
To view the proposed ordinance revisions, visit www.co.lake.il.us/health/ehs/animal.asp.
The revised ordinance goes before the board of health on Oct. 10. It will be vetted by the county's health and community services committee before the county board has the final say.