Pet Licensing
Why are licenses necessary?
Licenses help us identify loose animals
and reunite them with their owners. The annual renewal
reminders help residents stay current on their pets' rabies
vaccinations. Dogs AND cats should be licensed. We provide
licensing services for the unincorporated County of
Sacramento, and to cities that contract with us for service.
If you live in Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova or the City of
Sacramento, please
contact them directly.
Owners can purchase multi-year (one, two, or
three year) licenses if the rabies vaccinations are multi-year.
The number of years on the license must equal the number
of years on the rabies certificate. For example, if your animal
received a two-year rabies shot, then a two-year license could
be purchased. Contact your veterinarian for information on
multi-year rabies vaccinations.
Spaying and neutering not only helps reduce the population of
unwanted animals, it saves you money on licensing!
Costs of licenses for
residents of the unincorporated area of Sacramento County:
Effective August 1, 2007, all owned dogs and cats over the age of 4 months must
be licensed, spayed/neutered (altered) to avoid incurring a higher licensing
fee, and rabies vaccinated. The
licensing requirement will be effective immediately for new
licenses and will apply to existing licenses when current
licenses expire. The fee increase is included as part of the
Animal Overpopulation Ordinance passed in 2007.
Details of
ordinance.
1- Year 2-Year
3-Year
License License
License
License for altered pet:
$15.00 $30.00
$45.00
License for
unaltered pet*: $150.00 $300.00 $450.00
Reduced unaltered
fee**: $45.00
Late fee:
$100.00
* Exemptions:
Animals certified in
writing by a licensed veterinarian to be too young, too old,
or generally not healthy enough for S/N surgery, may receive
an exemption and will be assessed the altered license fee of
$15. For young animals, a letter from the veterinarian
stating that the animal is too young can serve as proof of
eligibility for the exemption. A license for $15 for
one year may be obtained, and when the license is renewed,
the owner can bring proof of spay/neuter and pay the altered
fee of $15 for one to three years.
In other cases, when/if the animal is
deemed suitable for S/N surgery, the appropriate fee will be
assessed.
** $45.00 Reduced Unaltered Fee
The reduced unaltered license is available to
Competition Dogs and Cats and
Working Ranch Dogs. A Reduced Unaltered License
does not allow the animal to be breed. Any animal that
is breed must have an unaltered license.
Competition Dogs -
-
The reduced unaltered license is
available to owners who's animals are registered with a
valid registry such a AKC, UKC or CFA and are actively
showing or have competed with their animal during the
previous 12 months, or the animal has achieved a title
from a purebred dog or cat registry.
-
In the case where the animal has
recently been purchased or has not competed due to it's
current age, a letter from the breeder of the animal
stating that this animal is of show quality and was
purchased with the intent to be show and a copy of the
animals pedigree will met the definition of this
category.
-
Proof that an animal has competed in
a show or event can consist of a cancelled check
indicating entry fee paid or photo copy of entry catalog
with name of owner, animal name and date of show or
event.
Working Ranch Dogs -
-
Working Ranch Dogs are defined
as a dog that has been trained and is used to herd and
or guard livestock and the dog owner resides on or is
the owner of property designated in the Sacramento
County Zoning Code for agricultural use.
-
Application for a working ranch dog
license can be in the form of a personal letter stating
the address and zoning of the property and the training
and use of the dog.
How to Purchase a Reduced License:
Costs of licenses for
residents of Citrus Heights,
Folsom, Isleton or Galt:
1- Year 2-Year
3-Year
License License License
License for altered pet: $10.00
$20.00 $30.00
License for unaltered pet: $30.00 $60.00 $90.00
If owners fail to purchase a license within 30 days of
obtaining a new animal or moving to Sacramento County, a penalty fee of $15.00
is charged.
How to obtain a new pet license or renew a license:
-
In Person -
By visiting the shelter or your veterinarian. Bring proof of rabies vaccination and
alteration (if you have one) and pay associated fees. To save time, print and fill out the form
before arriving. Licenses must be paid for in cash, debit, Visa or Mastercard. All
reduced licenses must be obtained in person at the
shelter.
-
By Mail - Licenses and
renewals may be paid for by check. Print and fill-out
application for Animal License or the fill out renewal
form. Mail to: Sacramento County
Animal Care and Regulation, 4290 Bradshaw Road,
Sacramento, Ca, 95827.
-
Renew Online!! Effective
January 15, current pet licenses may be
renewed online. To learn more visit
Online Pet
License Renewals.
License Frequently
Asked Questions-
Learn More
Inquire about the availability of documents
in alternate formats.
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