Fees

The following list of fees may not be complete.  Questions?  Call (661) 868-7100 to speak with our staff. 


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

Year License: $15

 

Natural:

1 Year License: $60

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

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

1 Year License: $5

Duplicate License: $5

 

 


Adoption Fees

Animal adoption fees include spay or neuter surgery cost, first set of vaccinations including a Rabies vaccination (if pet is old enough) and a microchip.  For residents who live in the unincorporated areas of Kern County or in the contracted city of Tehachapi, dog adoption fees also include a one-year County license.

Note: We frequently have adoption specials where animals can be adopted at a reduced cost. See site home page for details.

 

Female Kitten/Cat: $50

Male Kitten/Cat: $40

Puppy < 3 months old: $75

Puppy (3 months and older) $85

Dog: $85

 

Adoption fees for other animals (PDF) 

 


 

Redemption Fees

(Amount you will need to pay in order to pick up your pet after they have been taken to the shelter)


Charges for Care and Feeding

Dogs/Cats up to 100 Pounds: $20 per Day per Animal

Dogs/Cats over 100 pounds: $25 per Day per Animal

Livestock, Including Exotic Animals: $25 per Day per Animal

 

County Impound Fees 

Licensed Dogs (Altered)

First Impoundment: $15

Second Impoundment: $30

Third and Subsequent Impoundments: $60

Licensed Dogs (Natural - Includes Food and Agriculture Code Fines)

First Impoundment: $50

Second Impoundment*: $80

Third and Subsequent Impoundments*: $160

* Owner is also responsible for cost of sterilization upon second impoundment

 

Unlicensed Dogs (Altered)

First Impoundment: $40

Second Impoundment: $80

Third and Subsequent Impoundments: $160

 

Unlicensed Dogs (Natural - Includes Food and Agriculture Code Fines)

First Impoundment: $75

Second Impoundment*: $150

Third and Subsequent Impoundments*: $300

* Owner is also responsible for cost of sterilization upon second impoundment

 

Female Dogs in Season

$20 per Dog (in addition to care and feeding fees and impound fees)

 

Cats  (Altered)

First Impoundment: $15

Second Impoundment: $30

Third and Subsequent Impoundments: $60

 

Cats (Natural - Includes Food and Agriculture Code and Fines)

First Impoundment: $50

Second Impoundment*: $100

Third and Subsequent Impoundments*: $200

* Owner is also responsible for cost of sterilization upon second impoundment

 

Small Animals (Under 25 Pounds, Except Cats and Dogs)

First Impoundment: $25

Second Impoundment: $50

Third and Subsequent Impoundments*: $100

* Owner is also responsible for cost of sterilization upon third impoundment

 

Large Animals (Over 25 pounds, Except Cats and Dogs)

First Impoundment: $150

Second Impoundment: $300

Third and Subsequent Impoundments: $450

 

Dangerous Animals

First Impoundment: $150

Second Impoundment, Within 36 months: $300

Third and Subsequent Impoundments, within 36 months*: $450 

 * Owner is also responsible for cost of sterilization upon third impoundment 


Animal Intake Fees

Note: There is no fee for turning in a found animal that does not belong to you. 

Owner Turn-in/Surrender Fees

Delivered to the Shelter, per Animal (Live): $20

Delivered to the Shelter, per Animal (Dead): $10 

Commercial Turn-in/Surrender Fees 

Delivered to the Shelter, per Animal: $15 


Commercial Animal Facility Fees (per Year)

1-10 Dogs and/or Cats: $150

11-19 Dogs and/or Cats: $300

20-49 Dogs and/or Cats: $375

50-100 Dogs and/or Cats: $450

>100 Dogs and/or Cats: $450 ( Plus $10 per Dog/Cat over 100 )

Inspections to Ensure Compliance (Per Hour per Officer after Initial Inspection): $60


Miscellaneous Fees

Rabies Test: $40

Rabies Voucher (Under 4 Months of Age): $10

Rabies Vaccination, Dog: $10

Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza  (DHPP) Vaccination: $10

Veterinary Costs for Impoundment and Redeemed Animals: Actual Cost

Farrier Costs for Impoundment and Redeemed Animals: Actual Cost

Extended Service Fee (per Hour): $60

Spay/Neuter Voucher: $20

Core Vaccinations, Dog or Cat, Each (Except Adoptions): $10

Feline Leukemia/FIV Test: $15

Microchip: $15

Document Duplication, Postage and Handling: see Kern County Administrative Bulletin #4 (PDF)