Schererville updates animal-control rules and fees; council advances adoption-fee increase
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Summary
Council repealed older animal-control rules, set new dog/cat licensing fees ($10 neutered, $30 unneutered) and advanced first readings to raise adoption fees and increase fines; changes will direct revenues into the pet adoption fund.
The Schererville Town Council on Dec. 10 adopted a consolidated animal-control ordinance and approved new licensing fees for dogs and cats, while giving initial approval to two additional animal-control changes.
Ordinance 2041 repealed several existing local ordinances and set a $10 fee for neutered dogs and cats and a $30 fee for unneutered animals; proceeds will go into the town’s pet adoption fund. Council approved Ordinance 2041 by voice vote (motion carried 5–0).
Two companion ordinances — 2042 and 2043 — were approved on first reading. Ordinance 2042 would raise adoption fees from $65 to $200 to cover veterinary services (spay/neuter, rabies vaccine, core vaccinations, microchip and other listed services) with revenue also deposited into the pet adoption fund; staff and council members asked for additional time to review some final language. Ordinance 2043 revises humane-control language and proposes increasing the fine range for violations from $25–$2,500 to $75–$7,500, again directing revenues to the pet adoption fund.
Town staff said the increases respond to higher veterinary and shelter-care costs; council approved the first readings and requested final review before adoption on subsequent meetings.
The ordinances move the town to a consolidated, modernized animal-control code and create a dedicated funding stream for adoption and control efforts.