For years, Cara Lingstuyl kept quiet about the "illegal family" she and her husband had created.

Because of marriage, the Millcreek couple had found themselves with three dogs in the house — more than allowed by Salt Lake County's pet ordinance.

But the county appears poised to change the pet rules in unincorporated areas such as Kearns, Magna and Millcreek.

Cats — as dogs do already — may soon need licenses. Fines could increase tenfold. And pet owners such as Lingstuyl may no longer have to worry about limits on the numbers of household pets if they comply with other ordinances on noise, smell and care.

"It really is a big deal to have an ordinance that is encouraging responsible dog ownership," said Lingstuyl, who now has only two dogs, Tori and Copper.

And one that pushes for responsible cat ownership, too, according to Salt Lake County Animal Services Director Shawni Larrabee.

The County Council gave preliminary approval Tuesday to three potentially controversial changes to pet-control policies in unincorporated areas — reforms that Larrabee argues would result in more cats and dogs being returned to their owners, fewer overcrowding problems at the county shelter and more compliance with existing pet rules.

The changes would:

• Require the licensing of cats. Although felines wouldn't necessarily have to wear a collar, they would need to have a $5 license that comes with a free microchip. (Passed 7-2, with Republicans Steve DeBry and Richard Snelgrove opposed.)

• Increase the fine for people who don't license their pets. The county would give a warning for the first violation, a $125 citation for the second and a $250 fine for the third. (Passed 8-1, with DeBry as the lone dissenter.)

• Erase the limit on how many pets can live in the same household. Irresponsible pet owners would be controlled by nuisance and animal-care ordinances. (Passed 8-1, with Republican David Wilde voting no.)

The loudest opposition Tuesday came from DeBry, who questioned whether the county should crack down on cats.

"Government is always invasive and pushing its agenda into people's lives," he said. "We want to do what we can to get the cats back to the owner, but I don't know if the way we are doing it is correct."

He characterized the proposed $250 fine as "exorbitant."

But DeBry won little support from fellow council members or the residents in attendance. Of the seven citizens who commented on the proposed rules during Tuesday's council meeting, only one urged officials to reconsider.

The Humane Society of Utah supports the measure. So does No More Homeless Pets.

"We have talked about government intrusion," said Democratic Councilman Arlyn Bradshaw. "But the reality is that this is a community problem."

While the county's animal shelter now reunites 44 percent of dogs with owners, its success rate for cats is 4 percent. That puts a pinch on the shelter's pet population.

Larrabee argues that cat licensing — and a steep fine to encourage compliance — would result in more cats being returned home. It could also lead to more animals being vaccinated for rabies.

The council is expected to approve the proposed rules next week.

jstettler@sltrib.com —

How to license your pet

Go to the Salt Lake County animal shelter at 511 W. 3900 South in Millcreek and get your license in person.

Go to the shelter's website at tinyurl.com/4skr8pc.

Call the shelter at 801-559-1122. Much of the licensing can be done over the phone.