Licensing Your Dog in California: Fees and Requirements

A dog license is mandatory in California. All dogs over four months of age living in the state of California are required by law to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies every year. Some California cities and counties also require that both cats and dogs be spayed or neutered as well as microchipped. Moreover, some California unincorporated areas also require that all cats be licensed.

California offers pet owners the option to obtain a three-year license at a fee that is just three times the amount of the yearly license fee. As a California pet owner, you can purchase a dog license online, by mail or in person at your local animal care center. While the requirements remain the same, pet license fees vary from county to county in California. In Los Angeles County, for example, the yearly license fee for an unaltered dog is $60 while the fee for an altered one is $20. Senior citizens aged 60 or older and disabled military veterans are entitled to discounts.

Dog license fees in Sacramento, California:

• Spayed/Neutered dog: $20 a year
• Un-spayed/Unneutered dog: $80 a year

Documents Required to Obtain a Dog License in California

To purchase a pet license in The Golden State, pet owners need to provide proof of rabies vaccination, and proof of sterilization. Some counties, Madera for example, also require that you be 18 years of age to own a dog and obtain a license. Senior citizens need to provide proof of age such as a copy of their government-issued ID card (driver’s license or passport).

Disabled military veterans, on the other hand, must provide either a disability award letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or a Veterans Health Administration healthcare enrollee card. All such required documents may be submitted online at the time of your pet's registration or existing license renewal.

Why Must You License Your Dog in California?

To many pet owners, dogs are like family members. However, it is not by just saying it or assuming it. Licensing your dog lets everyone know that he or she is a beloved member of the family. Additionally, you are taking an essential step in assuring the health and safety of your dogs by licensing them. Moreover, the fastest method to reunite a lost dog with its owner is through the license tag attached to its collar. 

Licensing your dog also demonstrates that you are a responsible pet owner. Any time people notice the license tag on your dog's collar while you are walking him or her, they know that you truly care about your pet's welfare.

Furthermore, by licensing your dog, you are technically assisting millions of homeless and orphaned pets as the license fees go to organizations that take care of them.

Penalties For Not Licensing Your Dog in California

The penalties for not complying with the dog license law in California are proportional to the severity of the violation. It also depends on the city in which you live in California. For instance, the city of Long Beach will impose a $100 fine for the initial violation. If you commit the same offense one year from the date of the initial violation, you may pay a $200 fine and so on.

In the city of Sacramento, failure to comply with the law could cost you $300.

Dog License Application in Every California County

From the list below, visit your county government or animal services website for information on how to apply for a dog license online, by mail, and in person.

1. Alameda County
2. Alpine County
3. Amador County
4. Butte County
5. Calaveras County
6. Colusa County
7. Contra Costa County
8. Del Norte County
9. El Dorado County
10. Fresno County
11. Glenn County
12. Humboldt County
13. Imperial County
14. Inyo County
15. Kern County
16. Kings County
17. Lake County
18. Lassen County
19. Los Angeles County
20. Madera County
21. Marin County
22. Mariposa County
23. Mendocino County
24. Merced County
25. Modoc County
26. Mono County
27. Monterey County
28. Napa County
29. Nevada County
30. Orange County
31. Placer County
32. Plumas County
33. Riverside County
34. Sacramento County
35. San Benito County
36. San Bernardino County
37. San Diego County
38. San Francisco
39. San Joaquin County
40. San Luis Obispo County
41. San Mateo County
42. Santa Barbara County
43. Santa Clara County
44. Santa Cruz County
45. Shasta County
46. Sierra County
47. Siskiyou County
48. Solano County
49. Sonoma County
50. Stanislaus County
51. Sutter County
52. Tehama County
53. Trinity County
54. Tulare County
55. Tuolumne County
56. Ventura County
57. Yolo County
58. Yuba County

Read also: How Many Dogs and Cats Can You Own in California State?