PET PLATES TO GO ON SALE MONDAY

Proceeds to benefit pet owner education, overpopulation programs

COLUMBUS (February 11, 2005) – On Feb. 14, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles will begin selling a new Pets specialty license plate.  A portion of plate cost will be given to the Ohio Pet Fund, which sponsors educational programs for pet owners and helps curb Ohio’s pet overpopulation through spaying and neutering programs.

The plates will cost $25 in addition to the normal registration fees. They may be issued to passenger vehicles, non-commercial trucks, motor homes, house vehicles and non-commercial trailers.  The plates will be issued at any deputy registrar's office, by mail, or online at www.oplates.com.  Requests for special plates may be made at any deputy registrar's office online, through the mail, or by calling the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1-888-PLATES3 (1-888-752-8373).  Pet plates may also be ordered as reserved or personalized plates with additional applicable fees.   

The Ohio Pet Fund will receive $15 from each plate sold.  The Ohio Pet Fund will offer grant applications to nonprofits including humane societies, rescue organizations, and veterinary associations. Animal shelters will also receive funding for spaying and neutering. The Ohio Pet Fund will also assist limited income families with the cost of the surgery.

The artwork on the plate features a cartoon image of a dog and a cat.  It was designed by nationally syndicated cartoonist Jenny Campbell of Chagrin Falls.  The plate is meant to remind Ohioans that an estimated 4-6 million dogs and cats are put down each year in animal shelters across the country.  A survey undertaken by the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine reports that two-thirds of the homeless dogs and cats taken in by animal shelters are euthanized, whereas only one-fourth are adopted. For more information on the Pets Ohio Fund and its programs, visit www.petsohio.com.

Ohio BMV is a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, which also includes the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Ohio Emergency Medical Services, the Ohio Homeland Security Division, the Ohio Investigative Unit and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. 

Note:  An image of the plate is available at http://bmv.ohio.gov/Images/PetsOhio(300DPI).gif.

BMV Announces Hazmat Security Check Service Center Locations

Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus locations open today, more to follow

COLUMBUS (February 2, 2005) – Three service centers are now open in Ohio to help Commercial Drivers License holders who need to undergo a security threat assessment in order to get a Hazardous Materials endorsement. 

New rules taking effect today require persons making new applications for a Hazardous Material endorsement to their CDL to undergo the Security Threat Assessment, which includes a background check and fingerprinting.  Current holders of CDL hazmat endorsements will also be required to undergo the screening, but the process will begin March 31.

The service centers can be found at the following locations:

Applicants for new Hazmat endorsements can submit their application and provide fingerprints at these locations.  The Transportation Security Administration has established a $94 cost for the assessment.  Two additional service centers are planned – one in the Toledo area, and one mobile unit tentatively planned for eastern Ohio.

For more information, license holders and applicants are encouraged to contact TSA at patriotact@dhs.gov.  The regulations are available for review on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website at www.fmcsa.dot.gov or by visiting the TSA website at www.tsa.dot.gov.

Contact:  Fred Stratmann, (614) 466-4344