BELLEFONTE — You might not think a county treasurer has much to do with helping families reunite with their lost pets.
You better think again.
Centre County treasurer Rich Fornicola has been in his position for 17 years, and he said, without exaggerating, his office has assisted more than 1,000 heart-stricken homes come together with their lost canine companions.
Why? Because the county treasurer’s name is listed on the back of all annual dog licenses that have been issued in Centre County over almost two decades.
“We’ve gotten calls from all over the country, saying, ‘Hey, I have your dog,’ or ‘Did you lose your dog’s collar?’” said Fornicola. “When people find a lost dog or a collar with a tag on it, they’ll flip it over and see my name. They will call the office or call my home. A few times, a stray dog was picked up close to here and they brought them to my house in Bellefonte, saying, ‘We found your dog.’
“I don’t even have a dog,” laughed Fornicola.
It’s not something that’s written in treasurer office employees’ job descriptions, but they don’t complain about taking those extra steps out to reunite families and their companions.
“I understand how much a pet means to a family. They are part of the family,” said Fornicola. “If it takes an extra minute or two out of our way to make a phone call or two, it’s definitely worth it.”
Fornicola said the treasurer’s office contains a database of all dog licenses sold in Centre County each year. He said the database holds the records of all licensed pooches dating back decades, and in many cases, that dated data has proved fruitful.
“We’ve went back several times to trace numbers to find out who owned specific dogs that we found years after they were licensed,” he said.
“I have to commend my tremendous staff that really makes this work,” he continued. “They enjoy helping people out as much as I do and they do care. I’m glad to be able to work with them.”
Licenses for 2018 are now available, and according to state law, commonwealth dog owners must have their canine licensed no later than Tuesday, Jan. 2, or possibly face fines ranging from $25 to $300 dollars.
“Pennsylvania’s Dog Law Enforcement group is very proactive when it comes to licensing dogs,” said Fornicola. “They conduct regular sweeps in communities to make sure the dogs are licensed. They normally don’t fine someone right away, and instead, take the time to educate the owner of the purposing of licensing, and then give them a window of time to get their animal licensed.”
Fornicola’s office announced Dec. 12 that annual dog licenses are now available, and that all types of licenses, including those for senior citizens, can be found at various locations in the county. State law requires all dogs, 3 months or older, to be licensed.
Annual licenses can be purchased at the treasurer’s office, or at: Lyons Kennels in Bellefonte, Mount Nittany Veterinary Hospital in Lemont, Valley Home Supply in Milesburg, Hosterman & Stover Hardware in Millheim, Kephart’s Hardware in Philipsburg, Adrian’s Dog House in Pleasant Gap, Mountaintop True Value Hardware in Snow Shoe, E&L Supplies in Spring Mills, the Halfmoon Township office building in Stormstown and at the Patton Township Building, State College Borough Building and Wiscoy Pet Food Co. (beginning Tuesday, Jan. 2) in State College.
The cost of annual licensing of productive males or females is $8.50, while the fee for unproductive males or females is $6.50. Seniors can license productive dogs for $6.50 and unproductive dogs for $4.50.
Those not wanting to seek out an annual license each year have the option of purchasing a permanent license. Fornicola said this method of licensing has grown in popularity over the years and noted of the estimated 11,000 animals that will be licensed in Centre County in 2018, nearly 1,000 will be carrying the permanent microchip or tattoo identifier.
Lifetime licenses cost $51.50 for productive dogs and $31.50 for those that are unproductive. Fornicola said most residents today purchasing lifetime licenses go with the microchip. He said tattooing, although still available, rarely is used.
Anyone seeking a lifetime microchip license must first visit a veterinarian to obtain a Permanent Identification Verification Form before submitting the information to the treasurer’s office. Those seeking the tattooing moniker must first visit the treasurer’s office to get a tattoo number, which will then be inked underneath the animal’s hind legs by a veterinarian. Fornicola said the microchips are placed by the vet under the skin in the neck area.
For more information about dog licensing in Centre County, contact the treasurer’s office at (814) 355-6810.
