Beginning Jan. 1 — unless the doomsayers prove correct, of course — all cats who live within Cortez must be licensed by their owners, and this requires proof of rabies vaccination, Andrea Jeter, manager of the municipal pound, stressed recently.

The licensing and vaccination of dogs has been required for many years, but the city council added cats to the ordinance in September at the request of Police Chief Roy Lane. Lane explained that his intent was to conform to state law, which also requires the vaccinations, and to protect the city from liability in the event rabies is ever communicated to a human from an infected pet here.

Although there are no records of rabid dogs or cats being found in Cortez, there have been instances of rabid skunks, bats and other animals that could in turn infect pets who come into contact with them being discovered in various parts of the county.

Lane said he had neither the resources nor desire to rigorously enforce the licensing ordinance, but that violators will be cited when they come to the attention of law enforcement.

The ordinance also requires that all pets wear collars displaying their license tags, a provision that has met with opposition among some cat owners, who maintain collars can be dangerous to the animals.

But Jeter explained that a collar and tags help identify a lost pet and get it reunited with the owner, and also pointed out there are cat collars available that stretch or break if they get stuck or caught.

All rabies shots must be administered and certified by a veterinarian to be considered valid, according to Jeter. Kittens and puppies should get their first rabies vaccination at three months (the ordinance requires it by four months), then a booster at one year of age; after that, they can be put on one- or three-year vaccination schedules depending on the animal and vet.

To centralize the city’s animal records, pet licenses are now available at the animal shelter (High Country Kennels on East Main) rather than city hall. The cost is $5 for a spayed or neutered animal, and $15 for those that aren’t; owners must have a current rabies certificate to get a license, which will expire the same time as the rabies vaccination. Cat licenses will be available after Jan. 1.