Licensing

Overview

In Kern County, dogs over four months of age are required to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Residents owning or having custody of any dog must license the dog within 15 days of acquisition or within 15 days after the license becomes due. Cat licenses are recommended but not mandatory.

Kern County Animal Services has partnered with DocuPet to provide an enhanced pet licensing experience for residents. Your pet’s license now includes DocuPet’s free HomeSafe™24/7 lost pet service and designer license tags with personalization options. Additionally, 20% of every designer tag purchase is donated to Kern County Animal Services through DocuPet’s Safe&Happy Fund.

When you register your dog in Kern County, you will receive a unique license ID tag to attach to their collar. Our new licensing process with DocuPet allows residents to select a standard license tag at no additional charge or upgrade to one of DocuPet’s colorful designer tag styles for $15.

Each DocuPet tag, standard or designer, doubles as a pet’s official license in Kern County and comes equipped with theHomeSafe™24/7 lost pet service, which relies on a dedicated full time dispatch staff and linked pet profiles to help get lost pets home quickly

View complete licensing ordinance

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 Dog Licensing Fees

The license fee structure provides discount incentives when purchasing a multi-year license and/or the dog has been spayed or neutered.

If a licensed natural dog is altered, and one or more full years remain on the term of its license, the owner is eligible for a refund of the difference between the natural and altered license rate for each full remaining year.

10% of the Dog License fees collected annually, rounded up to the nearest dollar, shall be deposited in a Sterilization Trust Fund to augment the Kern County Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program.

Altered:

1 Year License: $15

3 Year License: $30 

Altered - Senior Citizen Rate (62 years or older; limit of 3 dogs):

1 Year License: $5

3 Year License: $15

Natural:

1 Year License: $60

3 Year License: $120 

Other Dog Licensing Fees

Duplicate License Tag: $5

Dangerous Animal (Per Year in Addition to the Fee Above): $150

Dog License Penalty Fees (More than 30 Days Late): $10

Dog License Non-compliance Fee: $20 

Cat Licensing Fees

1 Year License: $5

Duplicate License: $5

Note: There is no requirement to license cats in Kern County.

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Purchasing / Renewing a License 

Note:  Before beginning the process, make sure you have copies of the relevant supporting documents (Original documents will not be returned.)

• Rabies Vaccination Certificate OR Rabies Exemption Form (PDF) (Note: Veterinary receipts for vaccination will not be accepted as proof of vaccination and will delay the license application process)  

• Spay/Neuter certificate, if applicable

• Proof of age for senior citizens, if applicable

There are two ways to purchase or renew a dog license:

• Dog licenses can now be purchased online. The new, easy-to-use online licensing service provides a quick and seamless way to license your pet from the comfort of your own home.(Note: this option is not available if you require a Rabies Exemption Form (PDF) or are licensing a service animal)

• Print, fill in, and mail the Dog License Application (PDF) along with fees and supporting documentation.

Benefits of Licensing

Licensing your pet not only displays responsible pet ownership, but it also helps fund local animal welfare initiatives in your community. In addition to your pet’s official Kern County pet license, here are some benefits of your DocuPet online profile:

• Hundreds of unique and colorful designer tag styles to choose from or design your own tag style online

• With full access to HomeSafe™ 24/7 lost pet service, upload recent photos of your pet and include important information that will help identify and retrieve them if they become lost

• Gain access to exclusive promotions and discounts

• Add additional pet guardians to your pet's profile

• Skip the trip and easily purchase or renew your pet's license from the comfort of home

• Upload important new documents for your pet by snapping a photo

• Make an optional donation to the Kern County Animal Services via DocuPet’s Safe&Happy Fund and help support local animals in need

• Easily view and download your pet’s license documentation

• Read up on exclusive pet-focused content

• Manage, or make changes to your account at anytime including updating your contact information and making changes to pet details and status

• View your order status and history

 

How DocuPet's Free HomeSafe™ Lost Pet Service Works