A San Juan County resident traveled to Los Angeles with her dog. A mishap occurred, and the dog ran off. A Los Angeles resident found the dog and called the auditor’s office because the dog was wearing a San Juan County dog license. Auditor staff was able to reach the dog owner using the cell phone number on the dog licensing record. Dog and owner were reunited, from 1,200 miles away. This happy ending was made possible by the purchase of a $15 dog license. Locally, a dangerous dog attacked and killed a dairy cow on an island farm. The livestock owner was compensated $1,000 for the loss of the animal. This ending was also made possible by the purchase of dog tags.

Funds collected under San Juan County’s dog licensing program support local shelters, compensate farmers for livestock killed by dogs, maintain the licensing program — and reunite dogs with their owners.

All dogs in San Juan County over the age of three months are required to be licensed annually. Licenses for spayed or neutered dogs cost $15. Unneutered dog tags are $40. For better identification and added peace of mind, owners can add photos of their dogs for just $5 additional. Get your 2018 dog license today at Sunset Builders and Lopez Animal Protection Society. Avoid a $10 late fee by renewing your dog license by March 31. For more information, contact the auditor’s office at 360-378-2161.