Did you know dog licenses are required by law? Many dog owners do not realize that state and local laws require all dogs over 4 months to be licensed and wearing the license tag.

During the next three weeks County Animal Services will have an amnesty period in which all late fee penalties are waived for dog owners who renew a dog license. Dog owners with unlicensed dogs are encouraged to purchase new dog licenses to avoid penalties and to come into compliance with the license law.

Starting the week of October 18, 2010, Santa Barbara County Animal Services will begin canvassing door-to-door for dog licenses to increase compliance with mandatory dog licensing laws. Door-to-door canvassing by Animal Control Officers will start in the City of Santa Maria and surrounding areas. The goal of the canvassing program is to increase the number of dogs currently rabies vaccinated and ensure that all dogs residing in the County are currently licensed as required by law.

Please be aware that a rabies tag is not a dog license. Dog licenses are issued by County Animal Services. Where can you purchase a County Animal License?

• In person at one of the three county animal shelters
• Online through www.sbcphd.org/as
• Download application form from website and mail to shelter
• Check with your veterinarian to see if licenses are sold at their hospital
• Contact City Animal Control if you live in the Cities of Carpinteria or Santa Barbara.

A license tells everyone your pet has an owner and is not a homeless stray. Animal Services can quickly reunite a lost animal with its family when the animal is wearing a license. A license requires a rabies vaccination which protects people and pets from contracting this terrible disease. Licensing fees support the care and adoption of homeless and abandoned animals in the animal shelters.

What’s on Your Dog’s Collar? Show you care. License your dog. It’s the law.