Dog Licensing

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 the information about your dog is permanently filed in our records. Your dog keeps the same license tag number for life.

Licensing FAQs   Licensing Application   Register Online at PetHub

For other questions about licensing, see our FAQs, email [email protected] or call 619-299-7012.

For those residing within San Diego County, but outside of our jurisdiction, please contact County of San Diego Department of Animal Services.

Licensing Jurisdictions

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Licensing Fees

License fees are an investment in the health and safety of our pets. These small fees also assist San Diego Humane Society in providing care to stray and homeless animals and further our efforts to eliminate animal cruelty and neglect.

Cities	Fees
Oceanside	1 yr / 3 yrs License Term $50 / $150 Unaltered $15 / $40 Altered $20 Late Fee $5 Transfer/Replacement
Vista	1 yr / 3 yrs License Term $50 / $100 Unaltered $15 / $40 Altered $20 Late Fee $5 Transfer/Replacement
Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach	1 yr / 2 yrs / 3 yrs License Term $36 / $66 / $90 Unaltered $18 / $33 / $45 Altered $20 Late Fee $10 Transfer/Replacement

Dog license fees are not refundable.

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Licensing Requirements

Before Licensing Your Dog
A California-approved rabies vaccination of dog is a prerequisite for licensing, and highly effective as an animal and public health measure. Rabies vaccinations are 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.

Please note: Your veterinarian's business name and License Number or clinic name and phone number are required for verification purposes.

See California-approved rabies vaccinations here.

If your pet cannot get a rabies vaccination due to a medical condition, please complete this rabies exempt form with your veterinarian.

Alteration (Spay/Neuter)
Dog licenses for unaltered dogs are charged at a higher rate. For a list of low-cost spay or neuter services in San Diego please visit sdhumane.org/alterations.

Late Fees
Failure to obtain a license, or to renew the license by the expiration date will result in a late fee.

Visible Tags
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.

Payment Options

Online:	License your dog online at pethub.com/SanDiego.
In Person:	License your dog in person at one of these three locations: San Diego Campus: 5480 Gaines St., San Diego, CA 92110 Escondido Campus: 3500 Burnet Drive, Escondido, CA 92027 Oceanside Campus: 2905 San Luis Rey Road, Oceanside, CA 92058 Licensing Application (En Español)
By Mail:	License your dog by mail. ATTN: SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY LICENSING DEPARTMENT 5500 Gaines St. San Diego, CA 92110 Please make checks out to San Diego Humane Society. Licensing Application (En Español)

Licensing Service Dogs

Service dogs must maintain a current rabies vaccine and license, but the owner is usually exempt from paying for the license. For more information about service dogs, click here.

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Pet License Incentive

To offer pet owners peace of mind — and some benefits — as they invest in the health and safety of their pets, we provide the following incentives:

Fast Track	Found pets with current licenses can be quickly reunited with their owner or rushed to an appropriate veterinarian if severely injured.
Free Ride Home	The first time a licensed pet is picked up or brought to San Diego Humane Society, it will receive a free ride home or free pass to go home, reducing its stay or even skipping a trip to San Diego Humane Society altogether.
Vacation Pet Alert	Before you leave for vacation, call 619-299-7012 to register your pet for the Vacation Pet Alert service. Provide us with the contact information of who will be caring for your pet and who is allowed to act on your behalf while you're away. This will also put the Extended Stay service into effect.
Extended Stay	When found, your licensed pet will be cared for by San Diego Humane Society for up to seven days before being put up for adoption.

 

Licensing Resources

• San Diego Humane Society offers low-cost vaccination clinics. Please visit sdhumane.org/vaccine for details.
• For a list of low-cost vaccination clinics in San Diego please visit www.sdhumane.org/resource-guide/.
• For a list of low-cost spay or neuter services in San Diego please visit sdhumane.org/alterations.