Dog Licenses
Why Get a Dog License?
License Application Form(PDF, 242KB)
If your dog is ever missing, a license tag provides a quick and accurate way of notifying you if someone else finds your pet. It also provides proof that your dog has been vaccinated against rabies, as required by law.
Once your dog has been assigned a license, the number and information about your dog is permanently filed in our computer records. Your dog keeps the same license tag number for life.
The owner of every dog over the age of four months is required by law to ensure that his or her pet is currently vaccinated against rabies. You must purchase a license:
- Within 30 days after reaching the age of four (4) months, or
- Within 30 days of acquiring the dog, or
- Within 30 days after entering the jurisdiction.
Dog License Fees
| Service |
Fee |
| 1 Year Altered Dog |
$34.00 |
| 1 Year Unaltered |
$70.00 |
| 3 Year Altered Dog |
$82.00 |
| 3 Year Unaltered Dog |
$194.00 |
| Duplicate License/Tag |
$10.00 |
| Delinquent Licensing Penalty |
$43.00 |
| Delinquent Licensing Penalty - unaltered |
$83.00 |
| Potentially Dangerous/Vicious Dog License |
$147.00 |
Notes:
- There will be no prorating when purchasing a 3 year dog license.
- All license sales are final and no refunds will be granted.
Renew a Dog License
Mendocino County residents can renew their dog license online.
Online License Renewal
MCAC License Application(DOC, 38KB)
As a reminder your dog must have a current rabies vaccination and on file. If your dog's rabies vaccination is expired the dog license will not be considered valid. Once your dog's rabies vaccination certificate is received Animal Care Services will enter the information into our computer database. PDF & JPG files can be uploaded.
Upload Rabies Records
When processing your pet license online please have your Pet License Statement Letter with you. You will need to enter the Animal ID number A###### and the Person ID number P###### to go through the licensing process. The Animal ID & Person ID numbers are on the letter near the top right corner.
You can process additional dog licenses by choosing the "Add another item to Cart" option then hitting the save button.
There will be a fee of $2.95 for an E-check. There will be a credit card fee of $2.00 if the amount is $0.00 - $50.00 dollars, $2.95 if the fee is $50.01 - $100.00 dollars and each additional $100.00 dollars is an additional $2.00.
Your Pet License Statement Letter will be mailed to you approximately 30 days prior to the expiration of your dog(s) current license.
Dog licenses with "late fees" have to be paid in full in order for Animal Care Services to process the dog license and for the dog owner to be in compliance with Chapter 10.12 Licensing & Permits. When paying your "dog license late fees" online please select $40.00 for an altered dog or $70.00 for an unaltered dog.
If you have any questions on making the online payments or uploading your rabies vaccine record, please call the Animal Shelter at 707-463-4427 between the hours of 09:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Important Licensing Information
- Failure to obtain a license, or to renew the license by the expiration date will result in a late fee.
- Rabies vaccination of dogs (a prerequisite for licensing) has been highly effective as an animal and public health measure, and is especially important in areas like ours where the potential threat of exposure to rabies from wildlife is a significant concern. The primary rabies vaccination is good for one year. The second vaccination is given one year later. Subsequent (or booster) vaccinations are valid for three years.
- A dog’s license tag must be securely fastened to the dog’s collar or harness and worn by the dog at all times. Dog licensing is the best way to ensure your pet is identifiable, if found, and is also a visible means of ensuring that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.
- Dog license fees are not refundable.
- Dog licenses assist in the identification of injured or sick animals which allows additional funds being spent by Animal Care Services during an emergency situation. If Animal Care Services knows there is an owner for the licensed or micro-chipped injured or sick animal it may be the difference between life or death of your pet animal. Unfortunately only a small percentage of the yearly budget is allocated for situations involving injured or sick animals. Animal Care Services assist approximately (100) injured or sick animals each year. Some of these injured or sick animals come into the Animal Shelter with dog licenses and/or microchips and some don't. If your pet animal is licensed or micro-chipped and impounded at the Animal Shelter, Animal Care Services will immediately attempt to contact you to make you aware of your injured or sick animal. Please license & microchip your pet animals to avoid possible euthanasia in an emergency situation.
- Make check & money orders payable to: Animal Care Services - 298 Plant Road, Ukiah, CA 95482
Community Benefit
- Dog Licensing subsidizes Animal Care Services spay & neuter programs. This is key to reducing shelter intake numbers, euthanasia rate and animal care costs.
- Dog Licensing increases the rate of lost animals being returned back to their owners.
- Dog Licensing decreases euthanasia due to the animal being identified at time of impound.