ATTENTION BERLIN BOROUGH PET OWNERS…WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

The Borough of Berlin and all of the municipalities in South Jersey are going to be faced with additional costs in the very near future to continue paying for the State of New Jersey’s mandate that all municipalities have an animal shelter for stray animals to be brought to when picked up by the animal warden in their municipality. 

• It is costing Berlin tax payers $605.00 per month for the Camden County Animal Facility in Blackwood, N. J.
• It is costing the Berlin tax payers $600.00 per month for the Animal Control Officer.
• That totals $14,460.00 per year and does not include the cost for administrative supplies, the free rabies clinic provided every year and other costs such as paying veterinarian bills from animals that are picked up in our borough and need medical care.  Yes…Berlin has to pay that bill and if the animal is not tagged, there is no way of going to the owner to pay this bill, therefore, the costs for one year for animal mandated service exceeds $17,000.00. 
• Animal licenses are $8.20 for all neutered and spayed animals of which the state gets $1.20.
• Animal licenses are $11.20 for all non neutered or spayed animals for which the state gets $4.20.

FACT…….There are approximately 3,000 homes in Berlin Borough.  Statistics prove Berlin should be licensing at least 1500 animals...and that is on the low side. 

                    LAST YEAR BERLIN BOROUGH ONLY REGISTERED 302 DOGS!!!  

In the January 4, 2008 edition of the Courier Post there was an article stating that the Township of Cherry Hill has just raised their fees from $8.20 to $22.50. WE DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS.  BUT ONLY YOU AS AN PET OWNER CAN KEEP THIS COST DOWN…Do this by voluntarily coming into Borough Hall and registering your pet…today.  If you cannot come in during the hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm you may use the application form at the bottom of this letter that has the instructions.

REMEMBER….In order to license your animal, either in person or by mail, you must provide proof of rabies.  There is a six month window on the expiration of this shot, therefore for example, if you come in February and the shot expires in July, your license cannot be renewed until you get your animal another rabies shot. 

ORDINANCE NO. 2000:6, AN ORDINANCE FOR THE BOROUGH OF BERLIN MANDATES A $25.00 LATE FEE FOR ALL ANIMALS LICENSED AFTER MAY 1 OF EACH YEAR.  IF LICENSES ARE NOT SOLD THIS YEAR ON A TIMELY MANNER, BOROUGH COUNCIL MAY BE ASKED TO CONSIDER INCREASING THE LATE FEE TO $100.00.

                   PLEASE DO YOUR PART IN HELPING THE FEES REMAIN THE SAME!!!!!

Remember to take advantage of the Berlin Board of Health’s FREE rabies clinic that will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2008 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the DPW Facility, Park Drive, Berlin.  You may purchase your dog and cat license there that day if you so desire.

 Your cooperation will make it a fair process for all animal owners in Berlin.  Thank you.

Information reported by Charleen Santora, Borough Clerk/Administrator

January 9, 2008

Click here for a pet registration form.