CAMDEN/ROCKPORT —  The Animal Control Officer for Camden and Rockport, Mark Bennett, is reminding dog owners that the extended deadline to register their canines for 2018 is coming up soon, before a late fee of $25 per canine is imposed.

Dog licenses for 2017 expired Dec. 31 and the grace period for renewing ends Jan. 31, Bennett said.

Currently in Camden, there are 270 dogs still unregistered for 2018 from the town’s list of 757 registered dogs in 2017. Rockport still has 441 dogs unregistered for 2018, from the town’s list of 660 dogs registered in 2017.

This reporter is a Rockport resident and my two basset hounds, Teddy and Beatrice, are two of the unregistered dogs for 2018 on the list.

Their mom is guilty as charged.

My plan after I put their 2017 licenses on my desk before attaching them to their collars, was to put a reminder note on my calendar for the 2018 renewal. But with the piles of clutter on my desk, my calendar book was probably buried at the time. I am sure one of my cats shuffled things around during one of the daily visits to rub their chins on my computer screen.

Okay, enough excuses.

Bennett said that he has been making reminder phone calls to dog owners with the help of some of the towns’ clerks. He shared these details for registering your pooches as a reminder:

Take a current copy of your dog’s rabies certificate to your town office. The town clerk will make a copy for their records;

The fees are $6 for spade or neutered dogs and $11 for dogs that can still produce puppies. Camden accepts credit cards. Rockport does not;

Each owner or keeper of a dog at the age of six months or more, needs to register them within 10 days when the dog reaches that age;

If a registered dog is lost, then it is easier to locate their owner with a license. The town offices keep the owners’ contact information on file; and,

Besides a $25 late fee, owners who do not register their dogs could also receive a summons from the animal control officer and may have to go to court regarding the fine.

Finally, for those of us who are organized, registration for 2019 licenses will begin on Oct. 15, 2018.

If residents need any further information, Bennett said to call either the Camden or Rockport town offices.

Roy Rogers sang, “Happy Trails to You,” but this time, let’s include our licensed four-legged family members, as well.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com