Animal Control
For hours, location and additional information about Animal Control, click
here.
Last year was the
first full year of the Animal Control Division under our supervision. We
could not locate workload data from previous years to compare activities,
however, based from input on a long term employee and revenue generated on
an off licensing year, all indications tell us it was exceptionally busy.
Officers responded to 1,068 dogs at large calls; assisted local agencies
69 times; 169 animal cruelty complaints; 359 misdemeanor dog law
violations; completed 585 follow up investigations and wrote 319
citations.
The kennel operation received 931 dogs with 233 returned to their
owners and 80 adopted. Because of our strong relationship with AlVan, and
other animal survivor groups, we were able to place another 169 animals
with them. I can say this never occurred in the past.
Additionally, we have expanded the enforcement and kennel operations
to 7 days per week to be more responsive to our citizen needs.
Michigan Complied Law 287.266 requires that all dogs over 4 months old
MUST have BOTH a current rabies vaccination AND a current dog license.
Michigan Law 287.267 requires that the tag must be worn by your dog.
Dog Licenses must be obtained by March 1st or by
the time a puppy is 4 months old. Newly acquired dogs and dogs of
new residents will be charged the regular rate if licensed within 30 days
of acquiring or moving into the county.
WARNING - There are criminal and financial penalties for failure to
properly vaccinate and license your dogs. Non-compliance is
costly.
Click
here to download the dog
licensing application. Print and complete an application for EACH
dog you own.
Instructions for dog owners:
Make sure your dog is currently vaccinated
for rabies. Your veterinarian will give you a Certificate of
Rabies Vaccination
showing the expiration date for the vaccination. You may also
attend one of the special clinics held at various locations in the
county, where your dogs can be vaccinated and your license applications
processed. Watch your weekly shopping paper for details.
Your dog's vaccination must have 30 days remaining on it in
order to purchase a 1-year license. If your dog's vaccination
expires after April 1st, you may purchase a 3-year license.
Download and complete the Application for Dog License form as completely as possible.
Use a separate form for each dog you own. Additional application forms
are also available at the locations shown below or by calling the County
Treasurer at 269-657-8228.
Mail BOTH the
Certificate of Rabies Vaccination, the
completed Application for Dog License,
along with the proper license fee amount to the Van Buren Co. Treasurer.
If you prefer (and for fastest service), you may apply for the
license in person at the Van Buren Co. Treasurer's Office or any office
listed below.
Upon receipt of the required documents and fee, your license and tag
will be mailed to you. Your Certificate
of Vaccination will be returned to you. If you don't
receive these items within 60 days, please contact the Van Buren Co.
Treasurer at the address below.
Microchip implantation and registration is available at most
licensed Veterinarian's offices. Please contact your Veterinarian
for details. (Published pursuant to PA 551 of 2006)
The State of Michigan maintains a statewide tattoo identification
registry for dogs. Contact the Department of Agriculture at
517-241-2748 for more information.
Mail or take application to:
Van Buren County
Treasurer Animal Control Facility
219 E. Paw St., - Suite 101
58040 CR 681
Paw Paw MI 49079
Hartford MI 49057
269-657-8228 269-621-4624
