How To Get A Pet License In San Francisco

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Obtaining A San Francisco Pet License

Taking care of your pet is like taking care of a younger sibling. They need attention and love, and sometimes the newest toy to occupy themselves with. Aside from feeding them and remembering to schedule routine grooming and vet appointments, obtaining a is only one of the many details you have to keep up with in order to take care of them.

In San Francisco, dogs over the age of 4 months must be licensed and, depending on your pet's rabies vaccination, may be valid for 1, 2, and 3 year periods before needing to be renewed. Obtaining a pet license can be a little tricky if you've never done it before, and when you have renewal dates, can easily slip your mind. Luckily, DoNotPay makes obtaining a pet license a seamless process.

What Are the Different Ways to License a Pet in San Francisco?

As a San Francisco resident, you can obtain a pet license in three ways:

  • Online
  • In-Person
  • Mail-in

San Francisco Animal Care and Control offers an online form you can fill out and submit all necessary paperwork to when applying for a pet license.

How Much Does it Cost to License a Pet in San Francisco?

vary based on whether your pet is neutered or spayed, how long their rabies vaccination is for, and if you're a senior citizen or not. When figuring out how much your license will cost, the following table can help.

Dog License Fee by Dog, Owner Status1 Year2 Years3 Years
Altered Pet Dog$27$40$53
Altered Pet Dog, Senior Citizen Owner$13.50$20$26.50
Unaltered Pet Dog$67$127$187
Unaltered Pet Dog, Senior Citizen Owner$33.50$63.50$93.50
Replacement Pet Dog License Tag$8
Cat Registration – Lifetime*$16
Late Charge0

In San Francisco, cats are not required to be licensed, but it can be beneficial in case your furry friend gets lost.

Documents Needed to Register Your Pet in San Francisco

To apply for a pet license fee, you must provide a copy of your dog's rabies vaccination and it must be valid through the entirety of your license period. Additionally, you can download a license application online and print it to fill out, or you may fill it out online. The final step to applying for a dog license is paying the fee. Remember to keep a copy of your dog's rabies vaccination for your records in case of emergency.

How Can I Renew or Replace My Pet License in San Francisco

Whether you misplace your pet license tag or it's time to renew it, the process for obtaining a pet license is the same as if you were originally applying. You can mail in a renewal or replacement request to:

San Francisco Tax Collector

P.O. Box 7427

San Francisco, CA 94120-7427

If you're renewing a pet license or requesting a replacement tag in person, you can visit one of two locations to do so. You must make an appointment before going.

San Francisco Animal Care & Control

(Dog Licenses by Appointment Only )

1419 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 554-6364

Treasurer and Tax Collector

(TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19)

City Hall

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 140

San Francisco, CA 94102

Unfortunately, you may not always have the time to drive to a location and apply for a pet license, or the online portal may not be easily understandable or working for some reason. In this case, DoNotPay can make obtaining a San Francisco pet license hassle-free for you. You can submit your registration info through DNP and wait to receive your pet license tag in the mail without the frustration of figuring everything out on your own.

How to Save Time Registering Your Pet in San Francisco using DoNotPay:

If you want to Save Time Registering Your Pet in San Francisco Using DoNotPay but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered 3 easy steps:

  1. Go to the Pet Licenses product on DoNotPay.
  2. Enter the county or city you are looking to register your pet in.
  3. Tell us more about your pet, including the breed, gender, whether they are spayed/neutered, approximate age, and more.
  4. Upload evidence documents that prove that your pet has been spayed/neutered (if applicable) and a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate.
  5. Enter your contact information, including email, address, and phone number.
  6. Complete your application by paying the license processing fee, so we can file the application on your behalf.

More Pet License Guides From DoNotPay

Live in a different area? Check out other DoNotPay pet licensing guides that may help.

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