While it would be a pain in the butt for us responsible and caring pet owners to go through the hassle of getting a pet license, I think it should be instituted. I voted for just one license that would be a catch-all. I don't think you would need one for one beta fish or a hermit crab, but for the sake of ease, a pet license is a pet license. With the proceeds going to the local shelters and for neutering/spaying cats and dogs.
Where I live here in the South, there are WAY too many irresponsible, uncaring "pet owners", and I use the term loosely. For many, dogs are just lawn ornaments just to say they got a dog ... and more often than not, a pit bull.
Please leave their cats and dogs to roam the neighborhoods day and night, causing havoc in one form or another on other people's property.
Somehow, we have to get the dog and cat population under control in this country. And asking people to do the right thing just isn't working out as is so obviously evident. A pet license might seem "big brother", but since adults haven't been acting with responsibility and maturity on this issue, perhaps someone has to do the thinking for them. I hate to be so cynical, but it's the pets who are suffering in the end.