It will now cost more to adopt an animal from the Dothan city pound, but you'll be getting more than just a new pet.

The Dothan City Commission voted to increase the adoption fee from $15 to $25.

This increase will pay for chipping animals adopted from the pound.
This will allow city officials to identify and contact owners of stray animals.

Data tracking from the chips will also help better identify areas where stray animals are a problem.

“It's very often that we'll pick up animals that we've already adopted out that are back out running as strays again. They haven't been spayed or neutered like the law requires. So we'll be able to identify those dogs with the scanners that we have at the shelter,” said Dothan Police Sergeant Adrianne Woodruff.

The shelter picks up five thousand dogs and cats every year. Only 300 of the animals are ever adopted out.