Canine Rabies Licensing

It is currently required that all dogs in California be vaccinated and licensed for rabies and we wanted to make sure our clients all understand what this means and why it's so important. Licensing itself is handled locally: depending on where you live, that's either your county's animal care and control agency or your own city hall — check with your city if you're unsure. Rabies vaccines are currently NOT required for cats in California, but we still do recommend them for cats especially if they go outside. Rabies vaccines are also very important for pets who travel outside of the USA and some countries (and the state of Hawaii) have very specific requirements for vaccination and rabies titer testing. After we administer the rabies vaccine to your dog, you will receive a rabies certificate — submit a copy with your license application and the licensing agency will collect the fee and issue your dog's tag.

Canine Rabies Vaccine Information:

California Health and Safety Code (121690) requires all dogs to be vaccinated against rabies and to obtain a license:

Within 30 days after reaching the age of four months, or
Within 30 days of acquiring the dog, or
Within 30 days after entering the jurisdiction.

If the dog has never received a rabies vaccine, it shall be good for 1 year. After that, it shall be good for 3 years. If there is a lapse in vaccination, some foreign countries require that the 1 year vaccine be started over again. This is important for international travel.

CERTIFICATE OF VACCINATION. Any veterinarian who vaccinates a dog for rabies shall certify such vaccination by properly completing a rabies certificate form issued by the County for that purpose.

Once the licensing agency receives your dog's rabies certificate and license application, they will issue a license tag. A dog's license tag must be securely fastened to the dog's collar or harness and worn by the dog at all times. Dog licensing is the best way to ensure your pet is identifiable, if found, and is also a visible means of ensuring that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.

You will be required to pay a licensing fee. License fees are an investment in the health and safety of our pets. These small fees also help fund animal care and control services for stray and homeless animals across your county.

To learn more:
Contact your city or county animal care and control agency for license applications, current fees, and renewal deadlines — or ask us at your next visit and we'll point you to the right one.