• A current Rabies certificate is required to purchase a license.
• Licenses are not VALID until a current Rabies certificate* is submitted.
• In order to obtain the Spay / Neuter Discount proof of sterilization must be on file with Animal Services.

Rabies vaccination is required before a pet can be licensed (Ordinance #80-97, Section 416-6.002). All dogs over 4 months of age must be licensed. Licenses must be obtained within 30 days after acquiring a dog over four months of age to avoid a late fee.

If you don't wish to purchase a license online you can either purchase one by mail or in person at either of our shelter locations.               

You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view pet license application. If you do not have the latest version, you can download it for free by clicking on the right.

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PET LICENSING INSTRUCTIONS AND REGULATIONS

PET OWNER: Please complete this application form (if not already done so by your veterinarian) by completing the owner information (name, address, and telephone numbers) and the pet information (pet name, breed, color, and sex). If your veterinarian has not completed the Rabies Certificate portion of this form, and you have a separate vaccination certificate, attach a copy of the certificate to this application when submitting for the pet license.

SPECIAL IDENTIFICATION: Utilize this space to identify special medication required by your pet, or to specify any medical conditions or physical characteristics we should be aware of, such as epilepsy, tattoos, microchip implants, or missing members.

FEE SCHEDULE: The following information is provided to help you determine the appropriate licensing fees. Please check the boxes next to the fees selected. If you are charging your license fee to your credit card, fill out the credit card section below. Note: There are no refunds once a license is issued, and there are no pro-rated license fees.

2 to 3 YEAR LICENSE:
For your convenience and to reduce our processing volume, reduced fees are available if you select the optional 2 to 3 year license. You may select an optional 2 to 3 year tag only if your rabies vaccination does not expire before the end of the 2 to 3 year licensing period.

SPAY/NEUTER LICENSE:
Reduced licensing fees are available for animal owners who have had their pets spayed or neutered.  Please submit a copy of the sterilization certificate with this application If you have not previously done so.

SPECIAL NO-FEE LICENSE:
The County Animal Control Ordinance provides free licensing of certain pets as specified below. If you qualify, check the "SPECIAL NO-FEE LICENSE" box, then enter the appropriate code in the space provided.

CODE / DESCRIPTION

"SR" SENIOR CITIZEN:
Pet owners age 65 or over can have one pet per household licensed free. If you have not already done so, please include a photocopy of the front of your driver's license as confirmation of age when requesting a free animal license.

"GD" GUIDE DOGS/SERVICE DOGS:
Dogs trained to assist sight-impaired or disabled persons in moving from place to place qualify for a free license if used for that purpose.

"PD" POLICE DOGS:
Dogs trained and utilized to assist law enforcement officers in the conduct of their duties are exempt from licensing fees (including dogs used for search and rescue).

PENALTY FEE: State and County regulations require vaccination and licensing of all dogs within 30 days of reaching 4 months of age. All dogs over 4 months of age must also be licensed within 30 days of entering Contra Costa County or within 30 days of acquisition. Contra Costa County requires that license renewals be paid within 60 days of the previous license expiration date The penalty fee is payable if your pet has not been licensed in accordance with the above requirements.

REPLACEMENT TRANSFER FEE: There is a $5 fee to cover costs associated with replacing a lost license tag, or to ownership prior to license expiration date.

The following section of the County Animal Control Ordinance is provided for your review.  All Contra Costa animal owners are subject to the provisions of this Ordinance.

ARTICLE 416-4.4 RESTRAINT

S416-4.402 Animals at large
(a) No person owning, possessing, harboring or controlling any animal shall allow such animal to be at large.

(b) As used in this section, "at large" means an animal which either:

(1) In the case of dogs, is not under effective restraint by a leash; or,
(2) In the case of animals other than dogs or cats, is not in the immediate presence and under the effective control of such person; or,
(3) Is tethered or leashed on any street or other public place, not set aside for such tethering or leashing, for a period of longer than fifteen minutes, or in such a way as to block a public walkway or thoroughfare; or,
(4) Is pastured, tethered, tied, or otherwise present on private property or in any public building without the consent of the owner or occupant; or,
(5) Is in any place or position with the capacity to injure persons or property; or,
(6) Fights, bites, or causes harm to any other animal or person unless such animal or person has entered the private property owned by, or in the possession of, the person owning or controlling the offending animal without permission when such property is properly fenced and posted as to the presence of the offending animal; or
(7) Is not on the private property owned by, or in the possession of, the person owning or controlling the animal and is not wearing a required license tag; or,
(8) Is left any place without provision for its care.

Provided, nevertheless, that a dog is not required to be under restraint by a leash when the dog has not strayed from and is upon private property owned by, or in the possession of, the person owning or controlling the dog.
(c) Exemptions.  A working dog performing acts such as herding under the control and supervision of owner/handler shall not be considered "at large" while performing his duties. A hunting, obedience, tracking, or show dog shall not be considered "at large" while performing in the above capacities. Dogs being exercised under the control of their owners in public areas designated for animal exercise shall not be considered "at large".
(d) Females in heat.  In the case of female dogs or cats in heat and for the purposes of the Food and Agricultural Code Section 30954, “at large” means outside a house, vehicle, or other secure enclosure adequate to prevent unplanned male access.
(e) Animals in vehicles.
(1) A dog or any other animal in or upon a vehicle is deemed to be upon the property of the operator of such vehicle. No dog or any other animal shall be transported on any public thoroughfare in any vehicle unless such dog or animal is totally enclosed within such vehicle within a secured container carried upon such vehicle or security cross-tethered to such vehicle in such a way as to prevent falling out of or off such vehicle and to prevent injury to the animal.
(2) No dog or any animal shall be left completely enclosed in a parked vehicle without adequate ventilation, or in such a way as to subject the animal to temperatures sufficiently above ambient to affect the animal's health and welfare.

S416.4.404 Abandonment.  No owner of an animal shall abandon it.

State and County regulations require vaccination and licensing of all dogs within 30 days of reaching 4 months of age. All dogs over 4 months must also be licensed within 30 days of entering Contra Costa County.
Contra Costa County requires that license renewals be paid within 60 days of the previous license expiration date. The PENALTY FEE is payable if your pet has not been licensed in accordance with the above requirements. NOTE: There are no refunds once a pet license has been issued.
California Health and Safety Code Regulations prohibit Contra Costa County from issuing a pet license with an expiration date extending beyond the rabies vaccination expiration date.

If you have any questions, please call 925-335-8300.