RIVERSIDE – Riverside County Animal Services is once again offering negligent dog owners a chance to become better dog owners, without any penalties.

Riverside County Animal Services is offering an amnesty program. The intent is to encourage dog owners who have never licensed their pet – or have allowed the dog license to expire – to update their dog’s license and not face any penalties or late fees. The program expires Feb. 29.

The amnesty program is offered to any dog owner with an altered pet in unincorporated Riverside County. Riverside County Animal Services launched similar amnesty programs in 2009 and early Jan. 2011 that were well received by the public, Director Robert Miller said.

The licenses can be bought at any of Animal Services’ four shelter locations: Blythe Animal Shelter (245 S. Carlton Ave., Blythe, 92225), the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter (6851 Van Buren Blvd., Jurupa Valley, 92509) or the Coachella Valley Animal Campus (72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, 92276).

County licenses can also be purchased at the San Jacinto Valley Animal Campus (581 S. Grand Ave., San Jacinto, 92582) – but only on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Late fees or other penalties will not be assessed to pet owners. However, dog owners must not face any current Advertisement

[ MyGym Children's Fitness Center ] citations by Riverside County Animal Services to qualify for the amnesty program. The dog owner cannot be currently in the county system for any previous payment plan. And, a reminder: The program is only for pet owners whose dog(s) are altered.

An amnesty program for residents in unincorporated Riverside County will save dog owners money if they get that license that they’ve been putting off for a while. A $25 late fee is assessed each year a dog owner has failed to license their pet. But that penalty is being waived if owners act now. A dog license is required by state law, Director Miller reminded. But it’s also a helpful tool to reunite a dog with its owner, he said.

Miller said he wanted to remind dog owners that a current rabies fee certificate is required when licensing a pet.

License Fees:

Altered Dog: 1y = $16 , 2y = $25 , 3y = $35

Unaltered Dog: 1y = $100 , 2y = $175 , 3y = $225

Altered Dog owned by Senior (age 60+): 1y = $10 , 2y = $15 , 3y = $20

Late Fee: $25

Revenue from dog licensing pays for emergency medical care of animals hit by cars, investigation of animal abuse and cruelty, and the rabies control program.