Your Licensing Guide

Sonoma County Animal Services

Why License?

In accordance with state and local laws, pet licenses are mandatory in the areas that Sonoma County Animal Services serves. In fact, licenses are mandatory in nearly every community across North America. Why? Because licenses help keep pets and the communities they live in safe. DocuPet was brought on board to simplify and improve pet licensing to benefit not only pet owners like you, but the entire community. DocuPet makes it easy for Sonoma County Animal Services to deliver a successful pet licensing program with a streamlined software and management solution that makes licensing a breeze for pet owners and administrators alike.

Check out the ways you can license your pet below and feel good knowing that 100% of licensing revenue funds are given to Sonoma County Animal Services to support important animal welfare initiatives helping to improve your community.

What will you need?

Licensing your pet will require specific information and proof. Having these items at the ready allows for the fastest experience. You have the option to upload a document as a saved or scanned file, or you may take a photo directly from your device on our upload page.

Payment

We securely process payment online and accept all major credit and debit cards as forms of payment.

Documents

Spay/neuter certificate

This document is required to qualify for the discounted rate and is only needed once and will be saved to your pet’s profile upon upload for future renewals. This proof declaring that your pet has been spayed or neutered may be in the form of a statement or receipt from the veterinarian, shelter, or clinic that performed the procedure.

Rabies vaccination proof

This document serves as formal proof that your pet has received a California-approved rabies vaccination. This document may be in the form of a Rabies Vaccination Certificate that has been signed by a veterinarian or certified professional. It is the law that pets must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, so new documents will need to be uploaded to your pets profile as they receive their booster shots.

How to License

  • Online
  • In-person
  • Mail
  • Phone

The fastest and easiest way to license or renew is right here. You’ll create a profile for your pet, upload any necessary documents, process your license registration, and receive purchase confirmations via email. Payment can be made using a credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card. Each year, you just need to log in to your existing account and renew - it’s super easy!

Renew my pet's license

My pet has a license, but it has expired or will very soon.

Renew now

License a pet for the first time

I've never licensed a pet with Sonoma County Animal Services before.

License now

In person licensing is available at the following location(s) however it’s important to know you will still receive your tag in the mail:

Don’t forget to check hours of operation, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods prior to heading out.

Sonoma County Animal Services
1247 Century Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

If you opt to license via snail mail - keep in mind processing your registration will take a lot longer!

Make sure you complete the below form in full and that it is free of any errors otherwise your registration may not be successfully processed. The fine print is there for a reason so keep an eye out for accepted payment methods, who the check should be made out to, where it should be mailed, and any required supporting documentation.

Pet license form

Download Application Form

If you’re having trouble licensing online and need to get your registration processed in a hurry, you can contact our customer care team and they may be able to process your pet license over the phone. Note that you must have up to date spay/neuter or rabies documents on file and we can only accept credit cards and Visa/Mastercard debit as payment.

DocuPet Customer Care: 1-877-239-6072
Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday (excluding holidays) from 6:00am-6:00pm PST

Sonoma County Animal Services

Select your community

Sonoma County Animal Services is contracted to issue licenses in the following communities

City of Santa Rosa

Unincorporated Sonoma County

City of Santa Rosa Details & Fees

Pet licenses are required for all dogs living in and the City of Santa Rosa. Licenses are available for 1-year terms and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. You will receive reminders from us about upcoming license expirations via mail, phone, and email.

Fee Seniors Fee (62+)
*Altered Dog $16.00 $14.00
Unaltered Dog $19.00 N/A
Voluntary Cat License (Lifetime) $12.00 N/A
Altered Dog
Fee $16.00
Seniors Discount (62+) $13.50
Unaltered Dog
Fee $19.00
Voluntary Cat License (Lifetime)
Fee $12.00

A spay/neuter certificate is required to qualify for the altered dog discounted rate.
*Pet owners must be 62 or older to qualify for senior citizen rates

Voluntary cat licenses are available in City of Santa Rosa and are valid for the lifetime of your pet. Although not required, licensing your cat is a great way to help ensure their safety.

A late fee of $9.00 applies 30 days following license expiration.

A replacement City of Santa Rosa tag is available for a $12.00 fee or at no additional charge when you license your pet.

A valid rabies certificate is required to complete the licensing process. You must upload or present your certificates at time of purchase.

All licenses expire the day they were purchased, one year in in the future, so long as the rabies vaccination remains valid for the duration of the license term. If your pet’s rabies vaccination expires prior to your pet's license, the license will expire on the rabies vaccination expiration date.

When licensing a Certified Guide or Assistance Dog for the first time, licensing must be done in person. Future renewals may be done online once the status is verified.

Licenses are required for all dogs over four months of age.

Unincorporated Sonoma County
Details & Fees

Pet licenses are required for all dogs living in Unincorporated Sonoma County. Licenses are available for 1 year terms and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. You will receive reminders from us about upcoming license expirations via mail, phone, and email.

Fee Seniors Fee (62+)
*Altered Dog $17.00 $15.00
Unaltered Dog $20.00 N/A
Voluntary Cat License (Lifetime) $12.00 N/A
Altered Dog
Fee $17.00
Seniors Discount (62+) $15.00
Unaltered Dog
Fee $20.00
Voluntary Cat License (Lifetime)
Fee $12.00

A spay/neuter certificate is required to qualify for the altered dog discounted rate.
*Pet owners must be 62 or older to qualify for senior citizen rates

Voluntary cat licenses are available in Unincorporated Sonoma County and are valid for the lifetime of your pet. Although not required, licensing your cat is a great way to help ensure their safety.

A late fee of $9.00 applies 30 days following license expiration.

A replacement Unincorporated Sonoma County tag is available for a $12.00 fee or at no additional charge when you license your pet.

A valid rabies certificate is required to complete the licensing process. You must upload or present your certificates at time of purchase.

All licenses expire the day they were purchased, one year in in the future, so long as the rabies vaccination remains valid for the duration of the license term. If your pet’s rabies vaccination expires prior to your pet's license, the license will expire on the rabies vaccination expiration date.

When licensing a Certified Guide or Assistance Dog for the first time, licensing must be done in person. Future renewals may be done online once the status is verified.

Licenses are required for all dogs over four months of age.

Frequently Asked Questions

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PROGRAM AND PARTNERSHIP

DocuPet has a Help Center that houses many helpful articles about the DocuPet system, communications, and other information that is not specific to your licensing jurisdiction. Visit here.

You may have entered your address incorrectly or we may not have your address in the address database for your community. Please double-check all spelling and ensure you are using the abbreviated form for your street type ex. St instead of Street. You may contact SCAS directly if you believe you reside within their jurisdiction but your address is not being accepted by the system.

HELP DESK

Visit our Help Desk for more information: https://docupetinc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

LICENSING OPTIONS, DATES, AND LOCATIONS

Licenses are required to be renewed prior to the expiration date each year.

Licenses expire at the end of the 1 year term unless your pet's current rabies vaccination expiration date falls prior to the end of the term. A license cannot be valid at any time a pet's rabies is expired. If you provide new proof of rabies expiration extending beyond the original term selected prior to the license expiration date, your pet's license may be extended to the full term originally selected.

All pets over the age of 4 months are required to be licensed.

In person licensing is not currently available. Once in-person licensing resumes you can visit: Sonoma County Animal Services 1247 Century Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

 

 

Refunds may be granted for a license if a pet passes 30 days of the license purchase.

Please ensure you have all the required documentation in order to licence your pet. If you have all the records you need to proceed you can license your pet online, or in person at Sonoma County Animal Services located at 1247 Century Ct Santa Rosa CA 95403.
If this is your first time licensing a pet in the City of Santa Rosa or Sonoma County, click here to learn more.
If you already have an account with us or have ever licensed a pet with Sonoma County Animal Services click here to learn more.

You may renew your pet's license within 60 days of your pet's current license expiration date. If you renew prior to the upcoming expiration date, your pet's new license will start the day after expiration, not on the date of purchase.

As per California State law, a pet license may not be valid at anytime a pet's rabies vaccination is expired.

SCAS provides licensing services for the following areas: City of Santa Rosa and some areas of Unincorporated Sonoma County. 

Temporary licenses expire after 90 days. To convert a temporary license into a full license you must provide new proof of rabies expiration prior to the temporary license expiration date. If the rabies expiration date extends beyond the original term selected your pet's license may be extended to the full term originally selected. If the newly provided rabies expiration date falls prior to the term end, the new license expiration date will be the same as the rabies vaccination expiration date.

FEES AND FINES

Please visit SCAS in person if you are qualifying for this rate for the first time. They are located at 1247 Century Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Once the team there verifies your designation you will be able to renew online in future years.

Visit this page for licensing options and fees: Sonoma County Licensing Fees

You must be 62 or older to qualify for the senior citizen rate. Your pet must be spayed/neutered to receive the senior rate.

Those aged 62 and older may qualify for a senior citizen rate. Your pet must be spayed/neutered to receive the senior rate.

No, there is no discount for licensing multiple pets. Each pet will be charged the appropriate licensing fee.

For all online orders, a processing fee is applied on license purchases at a rate of 2.65% + $0.25 per transaction.

Sonoma County Animal Services does not offer any special rates for veterans. Please call (707) 565-7100 to directly to discuss.

If your community requires proof of spay/neuter for your pet in order to receive a discounted licensing rate, you will need to upload the appropriate documentation stating that your pet has been spayed/neutered to your online account. Once the documentation has been approved by Sonoma County Animal Services, you will be eligible to receive the new discounted rate. Otherwise, you can visit Sonoma County Animal Services in person at 1247 Century Ct Santa Rosa CA 95403 and show proof of spay/neuter there.

Late fees come into effect if a license is not renewed within 30 days of the original expiration date.

TAGS

Your pet must always wear their license tag. You may be fined for failing to affix your pet's tag.

ACCOUNT UPDATES

If you are moving, please be sure to update your address by logging into your online account and navigating to your Profile Settings page. Even though you are moving, you’ll still be able to keep your pet's tag and access your pet's online account. However, your current license may not be valid in the new community you are moving to. Please get in touch with the pet licensing provider in the new community you are moving to in order to find out more information.

CITY INFORMATION AND CITY ORDINANCES

Visit this page for information on licensing ordinances/bylaws: Sonoma County Code

The following species are required to be licensed: Dogs are mandatory and cats are voluntary

Please get in touch with SCAS at (707) 565-7100

DOCUMENT SUBMISSION

Documentation uploaded via the online system is typically reviewed within two to three business days.

To license your pet, you will be required to show proof that the pet's rabies vaccination is current. Documentation is also required to verify that a pet has been spayed or neutered and must be provided in order to receive the discounted rate. Requiring documentation ensures that provided pet information is accurate, which is critical for identification and safety reasons.

You will need to complete the required paperwork and visit SCAS in person to qualify for rabies exemption. 

A rabies proof is required to prove that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies. A rabies proof identifying your pet as spayed/neutered or a spay/neuter proof may be accepted as documentation of sterilization.

A valid rabies proof is required to purchase a pet license. A 90 day temporary license may be issued if you do not have rabies proof at the time of licensing. Proof of spay/neuter is required to receive the discounted altered rates.

If you can’t locate the document you received after the procedure was done, you will need to contact your vet to obtain your pet's records. Be sure to specify any and all pets you require documentation for.
Once you’ve got the paperwork in your hands, take a look to ensure:

  • The document provided is the right type of proof required.
  • Pet and pet owner account data matches your own.
  • The document is clear and legible.