License Fees

• Why getting your dog licensed is important
• Buying a Dog License
• Obtain Your Dog License On-line

Incredibly, there are an estimated 120,000 dogs living in San Francisco! Only about 20,000 of them are licensed at this time. Below are five reasons why licensing your dog should be your #1 priority. By licensing your dog, you have taken the first step in assuring the health and safety of your dog and thousands of others.

Why Getting Your Dog Licensed Should Be Your #1 Priority

1. If your dog gets lost, a license tag on your dog's collar is the fastest way to reunite you and your dog. Even if your dog is microchipped, a license tag is immediately visible and doesn't require a scanning device to read it, like a microchip does.
2. Licensing, unlike microchipping, lets people know that your canine companion has received required vaccinations that protect your dog from rabies.
3. The fee you pay for your Dog License and license renewal keeps your city's animal shelter going. It is one of the primary sources of revenue for Animal Care and Control, so it can continue to provide its unique services to all the citizens of San Francisco, from finding new homes for unclaimed or surrendered pets to keeping neighborhoods safe from aggressive dogs, from caring for animals whose owners have died to teaching good pet care to school kids.
4. Your dog's Dog License shows that you are a responsible dog caregiver. When you walk your dog or let your dog run in designated areas, people will notice the license on your dog's collar and know that you really care about your dog's welfare. Dogs without licenses carry a stigma of owner neglect.
5. It's the law. Living in San Francisco brings many lifestyle advantages and cultural rewards, but it also carries some obligations. Among these is the payment of fees for municipal services. Good citizens get their dogs licensed.

Several veterinarians have been authorized to provide dog licenses. Please check back for updated lists of the veterianarians providing licenses. There are four licensing locations in the City: the Tax Collector's Office in City Hall; Animal Care and Control; Ocean Beach Veterinary Clinic and Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital (both Ocean Beach and Ocean Avenue are for clients of the hospital only.) If your dog has been vaccinated for rabies please apply for a Dog License. Your city and your dog are depending on you. Thank you.

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For your convenience you can purchase a dog license at these locations (with proof of a current rabies vaccination):

San Francisco Animal Care and Control
1200 15^th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-554-6364

Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector
City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-554-6449

Ocean Beach Veterinary Clinic (for clients only)
3619 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-422-0701

Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital (for clients only)
1001 Ocean Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94112
415-586-5327

Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital (for clients only)
1001 Ocean Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94112
415-586-5327

Marina Pet Hospital
2024 Lombard St.
San Francisco, CA 94123

Vip Grooming
4299 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

Pet Food Express (every Saturday from 10 AM - 12 PM)
1975 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94103

Petco (every Sunday from 10 AM - 1 PM)
2300 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Dog License Application (PDF) 

In San Francisco, dog licenses are mandatory and must be renewed each year. A late charge shall be assessed for failure to renew any expired license after 30 days. New residences have 30 days to acquire a San Francisco dog license before a late charge is assessed. In order to purchase a license, you must have a current rabies vaccination certificate for your dog.

You may apply for a dog license at any of the locations listed above on this page.