Frequently Asked Licensing Questions
Why does my dog need to be licensed?
Replacement tags are $5 for Oceanside and Vista and will expire at the same time as the previous tag. Replacement tags are $10 for Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and will expire at the same time as the previous tag. They are available at our Escondido, Oceanside and San Diego Campuses and also can be ordered by phone or mail.I lost my dog license tag. How can I get a replacement tag?
Does it matter where I get my dog’s rabies vaccination?
We only send license tags when it is a new license. When you renew your license, you keep the same license tag number; we renew the license tag number in our computer system and mail you the receipt.Why didn't I receive new tags when I renewed my dog's license?
Health and Safety code 121690g states that a license cannot exceed the rabies vaccination due date. It also serves as a reminder to update the rabies vaccination.Why does my license expire when the rabies vaccine expires?
Why is the altered dog license so much cheaper than the unaltered dog license?
If your check was returned, there should have been a small form explaining why it was returned (i.e. incorrect payment, need a rabies shot, etc.). Please make the needed changes and return by the appointed date to avoid any late fees. If you have any questions, please call 619-299-7012. Owners can also scan their rabies certificate or take a photo with their phones and send it to [email protected]. If you do this be sure to leave a call-back number so we can call you and collect payment over the phone.Why was my check returned?
San Diego Humane Society hosts vaccination clinics at all of our campuses. Click here for schedule information. You can also get your pet vaccinated at your family vet hospital or clinic. You can also get your pet vaccinated at your family vet hospital, clinic or one of these low-cost locations. Where can I get a rabies vaccination for my dog?
After your dog receives the rabies vaccine, take one of the steps below to license your pet. Please note: These steps apply if you are a resident of Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista.Where can I get a license if my dog already has their rabies vaccination?
The money for licenses supports San Diego’s ability to be there for animals in need. The funds collected from licensing costs are credited to the issuing jurisdiction to offset the costs of providing animal care and control for their community. Every licensing fee helps to make our communities safer and better for the animals who live there.Where does the money for the licenses go?
Mail in the renewal form with the correct information and make sure to include the dog's license tag number.What do I do if the information for my dog is wrong on the renewal form?
Call 619-299-7012 or email [email protected]. If you leave a message, make sure to include your pet’s license number, owner’s name and address.How do I change my address?
Yes. Food and Agriculture code (30951) states that the dog needs to have a) a metal tag with name and address of owner; OR b) metal license tag issued by licensing authority.Does my dog need to wear his/her tags?
A license is not required for cats in San Diego Humane Society jurisdictions, which include: Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista. If you receive animal control and obtain licenses from the county or a city not listed above, please reach out to them for licensing requirement information. If you reside in Chula Vista, Coronado, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and National City, please contact with your local jurisdiction for licensing information.Does my cat need to be licensed?
Residents of unincorporated North County and Unincorporated South County must contact the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services for licensing.
California Code of Regulations (2606.4c) states all dogs are required to have a current rabies vaccination in order to obtain a dog license.My dog does not have a current rabies vaccination - why can't I get a license?
We would need a signed letter from your veterinarian explaining why your dog can not receive a rabies vaccination and for how long.My dog has a medical condition that prevents him from getting a vaccination. What do I do about a license?
Yes, a dog can still get out of the yard and a license will make it easier to return your dog. It is the law. San Diego County (62.610 and 62.620) and California Health and Safety Code (121690) and the cities of Oceanside (4.17), Vista (6.07.010) and Imperial Beach (6.04.110) require all dogs to be vaccinated against rabies and to obtain a license within 30 days (a) of all dogs reaching four months of age; (b) of acquiring a dog, or (c) after moving to Escondido, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, Poway, San Marcos or Vista. Failure to do so within this time will result in a late fee and/or a citation. If your dog ends up at our campus and is licensed, your fees will be less. If an unlicensed and unaltered dog (running at large) is brought to a San Diego Humane campus, the fines to retrieve the dog start at $150 per day. The fines are set by the California Food & Agriculture Code (30804.7) and local ordinances.My dog never leaves the house; do I need a license?
Yes, your city ordinance states that "it shall be unlawful to own or harbor any dog within the city, except as herein provided, without first having obtained a license..." A rabies tag only provides proof of rabies vaccine and does not qualify as a dog license; a microchip only provides proof of ownership.I have a rabies tag or microchip - do I still need a license?
Please mark the appropriate box and return the renewal notice or contact us at 619-299-7012 or [email protected].I no longer own the dog / my dog passed away / I moved out of Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista.
Yes, there is a $20 late fee per Oceanside (4.18), Vista (6.07.020), Carlsbad, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach and Vista.I did not pay my license by the renewal date - is there a late fee?
There is a three-week turnaround time on renewals so they might have crossed in the mail. If you notice a problem with your renewal form, please contact us at 619-299-7012 or email [email protected] so we can make sure that you will not receive another notice.I have recently renewed my dog's license and now I have a delinquency notice. Why did this happen?
I just received an Administrative Citation, what do I do?
Complete the assistance/service dog application and mail or fax it back to the address at the top of the application. Be sure to include a copy of your personal photo ID and your dog's current rabies vaccine and ONE of the following: All licensing fees are waived (by law) for service dog licensing.What do I need to do to license my assistance/service dog?
To renew your dog's municipal license, mail a copy of the dog's rabies booster to San Diego Humane Society Licensing Department at 5480 Gaines St., San Diego, CA 92110. We will update the license through to the rabies expiration date. Service tags (the large gold ones) are lifetime tags and do not need renewal.How do I renew my assistance/service dog's license?
Yes. All assistance/service dog's municipal licenses must be kept up to date like a normal license.Does my assistance/service dog need a dog license?