City of Chula Vista
Home MenuPet Ownership Assistance
- What Every Responsible Pet Owner Should Know
- Pet Population Statistics
- Common Questions About Microchips
What Every Responsible Pet Owner Should Know
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All dogs over the age of four months are required to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Learn more about our Rabies & Microchipping clinic.
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All dogs are required to be leashed when off the owner's property
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Dogs are required to be harnessed or safely enclosed while traveling in a vehicle
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All premises where animals live must be kept sanitary, not constitute a fly breeding reservoir or infestation, not be a source of offensive odors, or be infected with human or animal disease.
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No person shall treat an animal in a cruel or inhumane manner.
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Owners/caretakers must provide pets with adequate food, water, shade and exercise.
Pet Population Statistics
- An estimate 52 million dogs and 57 million cats live with U.S. families.
- For every human born, 45 kittens and 15 puppies are also born.
- One female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in 7 years.
- One female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in 6 years.
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According to the latest research and data, around 690,000 Shelter Animals were euthanized in 2023 (Shelter Animals Count 2023) including 360,000 Dogs and 330,000 Cats.
- Millions more are abandoned in rural and urban areas.
- As many as 25% of dogs entering shelters each year are purebreds.
- Approximately 61% of all dogs entering shelters are euthanized.
- Approximately 75% of all cats entering shelters are euthanized.
- It costs approximately $100 to capture, house, feed, and eventually euthanize each stray animal -- a cost which all taxpayers eventually pay.
Please help reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats by spaying/neutering your pet(s). There are many non-profit organizations that offer low-cost spaying/neutering programs if you need financial assistance.
Common Questions About Microchips