PET LICENSING STEPS IS EASY AND IMPORTANT

Get your dog/cat licensed! It’s so easy and gives your pet an inexpensive insurance policy for their safety and protection. Plus, it’s the law to license your dog or cat.

IT’S THE LAW:

City of Daphne dog & cat licenses are required by law for all dogs/cats 4 months of age or older. Dogs/Cats entering the city have 30 days to be licensed. If the dog/cat is licensed in another city, the license must be transferred to a Daphne license within 30 days. We will honor up to one year of the presently valid license. If your dog/cat is unlicensed you can be cited and fined. Even indoor-only dogs & cats confined to fenced yards get loose and their licenses help assure you can be reunited with them. You really can’t afford not to license your dog or cat. We are doing all we can to protect your pets from harm, but we can’t do it alone.

An animal license identifies and protects your dog/cat in case it becomes lost. Wearing a license is the best protection from permanent loss that money can buy!!! Be sure to have your license tag on your dog’s collar at all times to ensure quick return should he or she be found while wearing this tag. If you have moved or your dog/cat has become lost, stolen, given away or is now deceased, please contact us so your record will be updated.

HOW DO I LICENSE MY DOG?

WHAT DO I NEED TO SUBMIT WITH MY LICENSE APPLICATION:

• PET LICENSE APPLICATION

• RABIES VACCINATION CERTIFICATE: Submit a copy of a valid rabies vaccination certificate that is issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian. Please note: A license can be obtained for one year but cannot exceed the expiration date of the rabies vaccination. A license cannot be purchased if a rabies vaccination is due to expire in less than 6 months. If your dog’s rabies shot is due to expire in less than 6 months, you will need to have your dog revaccinated prior to obtaining a license. Do not send a metal rabies tag issued by your veterinarian, as it is not proof of rabies vaccination.

• IF YOUR DOG IS SPAYED OR NEUTERED: In order to obtain a discounted license rate, submit a copy of the spay or neuter certificate issued by your veterinarian. The certificate should state a complete description of the dog or cat and the date of the surgery. A copy of the certificate need only be submitted once with the initial application.

WHY LICENSE YOUR PET

GOOD REASONS TO LICENSE YOUR DOG:

1. A license tells everyone that your pet is not a homeless stray.
2. Found pets can be reunited quickly with their owner. This may prevent you and your pet from having to come to the animal shelter!! To report a found dog or cat in Daphne, please call (251) 621-2831.
3. City staff will attempt to contact you to pickup your pet immediately at the animal shelter.
4. Daphne Animal Control will call you or send you a letter, if your pet comes to the Shelter wearing a license.
5. Your pet license is proof that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies.
6. It provides emergency medical care for your pet, while in the care of the City.
7. When found, your licensed pet will be cared for at the City Animal Shelter for the required time until we locate the pet owner if not claimed the animal is put up for adoption.
8. License fees support the return of over 2,000 lost dogs and cats to their homes and help adopt homeless dogs and cats to new families every year. Other services funded by pet licensing are investigation of animal neglect or cruelty, spay/neuter programs to reduce dog and cat over-population, and community education services.
9. If your dog is licensed and has rabies vaccination and becomes impounded, no citation for no license will be issued, if you have city tags, but you will receive a citation for being at large.