What You Need to Know About San Mateo Pet Licenses

iEditorial Note: These blog posts represent the opinion of DoNotPay’s Writers, but each person’s situation and circumstances vary greatly. As a result, you should make sure to do your own independent research. Because everyone is unique, our self-help tools are never guaranteed to help with any specific situation. DoNotPay is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and is not equivalent to the services of a licensed lawyer. DoNotPay provides a platform for legal information and self-help, and does not offer legal services. Third party news articles mentioned on our website do not necessarily reflect the views of the company, or the current services that we offer.

The Easiest Way To Get Your San Mateo County Pet License

Did you know that in San Mateo County, you are legally mandated to register your pet? Licenses are not just bureaucratic red tape. They also help ensure that your pet is sufficiently vaccinated and spayed/neutered. Additionally, licensing your pet eases the process of finding and returning lost pets. And yet, as pet licensing is mandatory, you risk running into penalties and exorbitant late fees whenever you fail to keep your licenses up to date.

While some jurisdictions provide online application options, most states and counties run their applications through mail or in-person, and the back and forth can be exhausting, especially when you have multiple other errands to run. At DoNotPay, we facilitate the whole pet license application process from the comfort of your laptop so that your process is hassle-free.

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

San Mateo County requires pet licensing in all towns, municipalities, and all its unincorporated regions. You are required to obtain licensing for dogs and cats by the time they hit four months or within 60 days of purchase or moving into San Mateo county.

To obtain licensing in San Mateo County, you will need a photocopy of your pet's vaccination certificate, a copy or evidence of your pet's spay/neuter status, and verification of your pet's age. You must also supply your license/microchip number when renewing a license.

1. Applying Online

San Mateo County's PetData portal allows you to apply for a license online. To complete the process, you will need to upload copies of:

  1. Your pet's rabies certificate
  2. Proof of spay/neuter (if applicable)
  3. Proof of age

2. Obtaining a license via mail

You will have to download the Animal License Application form and submit it via mail to San Mateo County Animal Licensing. You should also attach the following documentation:

  1. Your pet's rabies certificate
  2. Evidence of spay/neuter (if applicable)
  3. Age paperwork
  4. Proof of license fee payment.

3. Obtaining a license in person

To apply in person, visit San Mateo County's Animal Licensing offices spread throughout the county and bring the vaccination certificate, evidence of spay/neuter, and age documentation.

Managing correspondence with animal health authorities manually can get hectic, and you may end up failing to renew your yearly fees, leading to penalties. Our team will ensure your pet licensing is always up to date with little intervention on your side. All we need is your pet's initial documentation.

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

You will typically need $20 and $50 a year to license altered and unaltered dogs, respectively. Unaltered cats will require $15 and $7 for altered cats. Senior citizens are offered discounted fees ranging between $5-11 a year.

Pet License Fees for Dog or Wolf Hybrid1 Year3 Year
Unaltered Dog$50.00$145.00
Spayed/Neutered Dog$20.00$55.00
Discount for Senior Citizens (60+)1-Year3-Year
Unaltered Dog$18.00$54.00
Spayed/Neutered Dog $9.00$23.00
Related Fees
Late Fee (30 Days Overdue)$20.00
Tag Replacement Charge $8.00
All wolf hybrid owners must obtain a San Mateo County license.
Pet License Fees for Cats1 Year3 Year
Unaltered Cat$15.00$45.00
Spayed/Neutered Cat $7.00$17.50
Discount for Senior Citizens (60+)1-Year3-Year
Unaltered Cat $7.00$21.00
Spayed/Neutered Cat $5.00 $11.25
Related Fees
Late Fee (30 Days Overdue) $7.00
Tag Replacement Charge $5.00
The cities of Belmont, Brisbane, Hillsborough, Millbrae, Redwood City, and San Mateo and the unincorporated areas of the County all require cat licenses.

How Can I Renew or Replace my Pet License in San Mateo County?

To renew your pet license, you'll have to present updated proof of rabies vaccination and submit the requisite licensing fees. You will typically need to schedule appointments, fill out forms and run back and forth with the authorities. DoNotPay allows you to bypass all this and run the whole process from home. We will do this automatically upon your license's expiry and prompt you to undertake vaccination if due.

Can My Pet License be Revoked?

San Mateo County cannot revoke your license unless mandated after a formal court hearing. If, in any case, your license is revoked, DoNotPay can help you through .

How to Save Time by Registering your Pet in San Mateo County using DoNotPay:

If you want to save time by registering your pet in San Mateo county using DoNotPay and don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 6 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.

Why Use DoNotPay to solve Pet Licensing Challenges in San Mateo County?

DoNotPay provides a quick, efficient, and consumer-friendly approach to . Our services are:

  • Fast --You don't have to spend hours going back and forth with licensing authorities.
  • Easy --You don't have to struggle to fill out tedious licensing forms or keep track of all the steps involved in pet licensing.
  • Successful --You can rest easy knowing we have you covered.

DoNotPay works across all companies/entities/groups with the click of a button

DoNotPay is not limited to Pet Licensing. We also offer automated bill payment services for various bills, including energy bills and internet bills. We will also help you with facilitating other government-issued documents, send demand letters to robocallers, among other services. Our services run across California and other US states. Reach out to us today and forget the hassle.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

DoNotPay offers a wide range of services to help you avoid paying unwanted fees and tickets. Some of the online services we offer include:

Fight for your rights