Licensing

Frequently Asked Questions

Reminder bills are sent out when licenses are due and there is a small fine for late renewals.

Contact us at CountyAnimalCare@saccounty.net for any of the following: Change of address or phone number, inactivate a license, or death of your pet and the need to cancel the pet license.  Please include the pet's name and license information.

Come to the shelter with your licensing paperwork, identification, and proof of rabies shots and spay/neutering. Once the information has been verified, staff will make a new license on the spot. 

Wednesdays and Thursdays are the least busy days at the shelter. You may also submit the above information by mail. 

This process cannot be done at veterinarian offices. There is a $5 replacement fee.

Call the shelter at 368-7387 and let staff know. They will update your records.

Yes. All licensing paperwork for more than one animal can be put in a single envelope. One check can be written for more than one pet.

Citations for unlicensed animals need to be cleared at our facility within seven (7) days.
To clear the citation and purchase your new license, provide a copy of the citation, a current rabies certificate valid for at least one year and a copy of the spay/neuter certificate, if appropriate.

The minimum fee to clear the citation and purchase a license is $25. Uncleared citations are sent to the court after seven (7) days.  

Information about the court is located on your citation. Other citations, such as animals at large, kennel/cattery or cruelty cases must be cleared through the court.

Please contact the Animal Shelter at CountyAnimalCare@saccounty.net to report this issue.

It is important to keep your animals licensed. If your pet gets lost and is brought into the shelter, we will have no way of contacting you. 

If you are cited for not having a license you will have to purchase the license and then come to the shelter to have your citation cleared within 7 days. 

If this is not done the citation will be sent to court. At court you may receive a citation fee ($81.00 plus court cost of $15.00). You will still need to purchase a license.

Citations for unlicensed animals need to be cleared at our facility within seven (7) days.

To clear the citation and purchase your new license, provide a copy of the citation, a current rabies certificate valid for at least one year, and a copy of the spay/neuter certificate, if appropriate.  

The minimum fee to clear the citation and purchase a license is $25. Uncleared citations are sent to the court after seven (7) days. Information about the court is located on your citation. 

Other citations, such as animals at large, kennel/cattery or cruelty cases must be cleared through the court.

Simply email us at CountyAnimalCare@saccounty.net or mail us a letter with the relevant information.

All dogs and cats have to be licensed, according to Sacramento County ordinances. Outdoor cats must be licensed as well. Licenses must be renewed when they expire. 

It is quite common for indoor cats to accidentally get out. Without a license your cat may not be returned to you. 

All cats should have ID—thousands of cats are euthanized at local shelters because their owners cannot be notified that the cat has arrived at a shelter.​

No. Your tag is a permanent tag that is to be worn by your animal at all times.