| Dog and cat licensing in Los Angeles | Found Animals |
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We encourage ALL pet owners to provide their pets with proper identification. That includes having your pet wear:
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FAQS Why does my dog have to be licensed? The goal of licensing programs is two-fold. First, they help prevent against rabies outbreaks by requiring a certificate of vaccination for all dogs over the age of 4 months. More importantly, they help to maximize the chance that a pet will be reunited with its owner in the unfortunate event it’s lost. The owner’s contact information is on file with the licensor allowing them to contact the owner if their animal is taken to an animal care facility. My dog never leaves my property, why should I buy a license? Animals are resourceful! Although many people believe that their pet will never leave their property, and therefore opt not to place identification on their pet, dogs have a way of getting out from a “secure” yard by digging, jumping over a fence, or exiting through an open gate. Natural disasters, aberrant weather, and fireworks also often cause animals to become anxious and flee their property. A license provides your pet with a ticket home. And, of course, because it is required by law! Even if your dog is a total homebody, and never wanders off without you, if you’re ever stopped by an Animal Control Officer you can be fined up to $500 for failing to comply with the law. Licensing your dog is a quick and easy way to avoid a stiff fine down the road. Are cats required to be licensed? At this time, cat licensing is required in some jurisdictions, and not in others. Currently, the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and some contract cities have mandatory cat licensing. The City of Los Angeles, however, currently does not require cat licensing . Even where not mandated, Found Animals highly encourages cat owners to microchip and license their cats for the same reason we encourage you to license your dog – doing so will increase the chance of reunification should your kitty ever wander away. What is the benefit to me? If you’re like us, your pet is part of your family. Licensing your pet ensures that should he or she become lost, animal control officers will be able to contact you to reunite you with your pet. Additionally, by purchasing a license for your pet you are helping to ensure that all lost pets are given the appropriate attention and medical care while waiting to be reunited with their owners. What are the consequences of not licensing my dog?
Because of the complex nature of animal regulation in the Los Angeles Area, licensing fees vary between jurisdictions. In most cases, the fee for a spayed or neuteredanimal is less than for one that hasn’t been fixed. In the Los Angeles area, licensing fees range from $10 for an altered dog to $100 for an unaltered dog. Cat licenses, where mandated, range from approximately $5 to $15. How are the licensing fees used? A majority of your licensing fee will be used to fund animal control activities, such as picking up and housing stray animals, providing impounded animals with necessary medical attention, and making all attempts possible to reunite pets with their owners. In many cases, a portion of your license fee also helps to make low-cost spay/neuter services available to low-income families. What paperwork will I need to license my pet?
Where can I obtain more information about licensing my pet(s)? For residents of the City of Los Angeles, please visit their licensing page for more information. For those living within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles or one of County’s contract cities, please visit their licensing page for more information. For those living within the area serviced by Southeast Area Animal Control Authority, please visit their licensing page for more information. I am unsure whether I live within the city or county’s jurisdiction, how can I find out? We’re here to help! Please visit our Adoption Resources Page and click on the region where you reside to locate the facility that provides service to your area. |
