Licensing fees for unsterilized dogs and cats will increase by $20 for residents of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, effective July 1.

Fees will increase to $50 for Carrboro residents and to $35 for Chapel Hill residents. The increase is part of the Orange County Animal Services Department’s efforts to alleviate pet overpopulation in the county and will go toward the newly created Community Spay and Neuter Fund, which will provide low-cost spay and neuter options for qualifying Orange County residents.

Fees for the unincorporated areas of the county and Hillsborough have already been affected by the increase. For more information, visit www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/licensing.asp.