Riley County no longer requiring licenses for pets in unincorporated areas

Most pets are no longer required to be licensed in unincorporated Riley County.

Riley County commissioners on Monday adopted an animal control resolution that included changes to the licensing policy.

“We removed the licensing requirement for just general pets,” deputy county counselor Shelley Woodard said. “There’s still a licensing requirement for potentially dangerous animals — dogs and things that are just more rare.”

Another change relates to animals that are kept tied or chained up.

“One of the issues with tethering is making sure they had access to food and water,” Woodard said. That’s required under the new rules.

Negotiations also continue with Prairie Paws for its contracted shelter services at the T. Russel Reitz Animal Shelter, she said. The goal is to provide services for residents in rural parts of the county.

Prairie Paws initially asked for $90,000 from Riley County, but county commissioners are set on a figure closer to $60,000 or less.

“We’re hoping to have that back soon,” Woodard said.