Here are a few friendly reminders from your Dog Control Officer here in Thompson!
1) Ask Your Vet to Microchip Your Dog!
When our Dog Control Officer finds a loose or lost dog, they scan the dog for a microchip. A microchip is a very small chip embedded in the dog’s skin in a virtually painless procedure by a vet. The chip contains the owner’s address and phone number. We remind you to ensure your phone and address are up to date if you currently have your pet microchipped.
2) The Importance of Licensing Your Dog/s
Every Thompson resident must get a license from the Town for each dog they own. If your dog is spayed or neutered, it’s only $8 per dog. If your dog is not fixed, it’s $16 per dog. These are annual fees. Proof of rabies vaccination is needed before administering your dog license. We remind residents that the key benefits of licensing are 1) Keeping everyone safe from rabies, a deadly disease, and 2) if your dog is found by Dog Control, and is licensed with the Town, you’ll get your dog back faster! If it’s unlicensed, the Town must acquire proof of rabies and ownership which takes longer.
3) What to Do When You See a Loose or Lost Dog
Please, don’t approach the dog. Call 845-791-6465 and provide the exact location where you spotted the dog and provide a description of the dog. Leave a message if it’s outside Town hours and the Dog Control Officer will look for the dog as soon as possible.
4) Where Lost/Loose Dogs Go
Dogs are taken to the Town kennels, which are heated, secure, and comfortable. The dog will get access to food, water, and medical attention if injured. The dog is held for 7 days. If no owner comes forward, we bring the dog to one of several local shelters that the Town has a contract with, where the dog is put up for adoption.
5) If You See or Suspect Dog Abuse
Dogs are required to have access to food, water, and adequate shelter and to be treated humanely. If you see or suspect that someone is neglecting or harming the dog, report this immediately! Animal abuse cases are handled through the Sullivan County Sherriff’s Office and you can also call the State Police and the SPCA to report the incident. There is also a Sullivan County animal abuse registry you can check at https://sullivanny.us/Departments/Sheriff/AnimalAbuserRegistry.
We’ve also recently launched the new Town of Thompson Dog Control Facebook page where we will post adoptable dogs, lost/found dogs, and other useful information for dog owners.