License Your Dog in PA
Love your dog? License your dog.
If your dog gets lost, a current license is the fastest way to get your dog back home. Licensing fees help the millions of dogs in Pennsylvania by funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.
Not only that, but it's the law.
Things to know about licensing your dog:
- All dogs three months or older must be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year
- Owners of non-licensed dogs can be cited with a maximum fine of $300 per dog plus court costs
- Dog wardens randomly canvass neighborhoods to ensure all dogs are licensed, violators may be fined
- Purchase a license by submitting a completed application to your local county treasurer or issuing agent.
- There are a few cities or municipalities that license directly, find yours below:
How much does a license cost? Well… not much at all.
- An annual license is $8.50, and a lifetime license is $51.50. For a lifetime license the dog must be either microchipped or tattooed.
- If the animal is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.50 and lifetime fee is $31.50.
- Discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities.
What does dog license funding do?
Revenue from the sale of dog licenses funds the work of dog wardens protecting all dogs and puppies in kennels, shutting down bad actors and puppy mills, keeps dangerous dogs monitored and off the street, and our communities safe.
Allows dog wardens to:
- Inspect more than 2,500 state-licensed kennels, a minimum of twice annually
- Investigate and prosecute illegal kennel operations "puppy mills"
- Control the spread of infectious and contagious diseases
- Track and monitor more than 600 dangerous dogs
- Pick up stray or abandoned dogs
- Reimburse shelters for holding stray dogs
- Reimburse farmers for damages to livestock caused by dogs or coyotes