Animal Services moves to new online licensing system for pets
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- St. Joseph residents may have noticed procedure changes when licensing their pets as the city recently moved to a new online program.
Animal Services aims to increase efficiency, when it comes to returning lost dogs and cats to their homes, through the DocuPet licensing system. The city soft-launched the new program back in March of this year.
Residents can sign up by visiting stjosephmo.docupet.com. When registering a pet initially, owners should check for an already existing profile before creating a new one. Most pet owners with existing pet licenses have already been added to the system.
Proof of vaccination and a spay/neuter certificate are needed to register -- the documents can be photographed or scanned to be uploaded. Residents will also select a preferred tag design and be able to pay all in one place.
For those unable to sign up online, staff at the Animal Services shelter are available to help. Residents can call (816) 271-4877 or visit the shelter at 701 Lower Lake Road. DocuPet is also available for assistance by calling 1-877-239-6072.
All dogs and cats in the city are required to be licensed. The fee for animals that are spayed or neutered is $10 and $25 for those that aren't.
St. Joseph's Animal Services has also started a progressive field services program using a $30,000 grant from Petco Love.
The field program allows staff to scan loose animals for microchips and take those that have one or are wearing licenses directly back to their owners.
Animal Service officers carry microchips and free vouchers for microchips to offer to pet owners they come across while working. There is a future plan in place to make microchip scanners available at additional public locations for those who find a loose animal.
Animal Services has partnered with St. Joseph Area Lost and Found Pets on Facebook to feature animals that have been picked up to help return them home as soon as possible.
