RUSSELLVILLE - Many municipalities require annual registry of domestic animals.
With the help of Quail Valley Veterinary Clinic, Russellville has made it easier for residents to update rabies vaccinations and acquire the $2 city tag.
The more than 45-year annual event will be 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Russellville City Maintenance Building, 5106 Smith St.
"It is just a convenience for our residents to bring their animals for shots and gives us an opportunity to sell city tags to the ones that are in the city limits," said City Clerk Karen Platter. "We keep track of tag numbers, and if an animal is lost off their property, we can get it back to its owner without having to transport it to the pound."
In 2004, the city added cats to be tagged, too.
At last year's event, 32 city tags were sold. But the two-hour event is not limited to those living within the city limits, which explains how Quail Valley saw about 70 pets total.
"I know there are more pets in town than that," Platter said. "People have the idea if it is a house pet they don't need to get the tag. We encourage them to do so."
City pet tags may be purchased any time by bringing proof of current vaccinations to city hall.
If an animal is found loose and without a tag, a court summons could cost up to $45. And the owner would have to reimburse the pound - Russellville contracts with the Jefferson City Animal Shelter - for care and housing.
The animal shelter holds stray animals for five days, then they become the property of the city, said Karen Jennings, animal control supervisor.
The rabies vaccination tag from veterinarians is required by the Centers for Disease Control to be displayed for community health reason, as well as helping the animal control officer return the pet, Jennings said.
Microchip identification has become more popular, especially for pets that tend to lose their collar, she said.