Pet Licensing

Get your dog 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.

It's the Law

El Dorado County dog licenses are required by law for dogs 4 months of age or older. Dogs entering the county have 30 days to be licensed. If the dog is licensed in another California county, the license must be transferred to an El Dorado County license within 30 days. We will honor up to one year of the valid license. If your dog is unlicensed you can be cited and fined. Even indoor-only dogs in fenced yards get loose and their licenses help assure you are reunited with them.

A dog license identifies and protects your dog in case it becomes lost. Be sure to have the license tag on your dog's collar at all times. If you move or your dog becomes lost or stolen, is given away or passes away, please contact us to update your record.

Call us at (530) 621-5795 on the West Slope of El Dorado County or (530) 573-7925 in South Lake Tahoe. Or email us: animal.services@edcgov.us.

6 Good Reasons to License Your Pet

  1. A license tells everyone that your pet is not a homeless stray.
  2. Pets found with identification can be reunited quickly with their owner. When found, Animal Services may be able to deliver your pet home to you, hopefully skipping a trip to the animal shelter.
  3. Animal Services will call you or send you a letter if your pet comes to the shelter wearing a license.
  4. Your current pet license is proof that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies.
  5. Your pet gets a longer holding period. When found, your licensed pet will be cared for at the County Animal Shelter for a longer time.
  6. Impound fees for licensed dogs are less than for unlicensed dogs.

Safety Tips for a Well-Dressed Dog or Cat

Dogs

  • Use a leather or nylon collar that buckles. Plastic snap collars can break away easily when dogs lunge or pull hard.
  • Never put tags on a "choke chain" type collar. These collars should be used for training only and should never be left on a dog. They can strangle your dog.
  • While collars and tags are great, they can fall off or get lost. Microchipping provides another form of identification for your dog.
  • It is also important to make sure dogs are vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating domestic animals against rabies helps maintain a barrier between humans and rabies.

Cats

  • Use a "release" type collar. These collars allow your cat to free itself should the collar get caught on something.
  • While collars and tags are great, they can fall off or get lost. Microchipping provides another form of identification for your cat.
  • It is also important to make sure cats are vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating domestic animals against rabies helps maintain a barrier between humans and rabies.

How Do I License My Dog?

What to Submit with a 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 either one or three years 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 and the date of the surgery. The certificate need only be submitted once with the initial application.

Pet License Application

License Application(PDF, 185KB)

Fill out the application and mail or deliver to:

El Dorado Animal Services
6435 Capitol Avenue
Diamond Springs, CA 95619

or

1120 Shakori Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

License Fees

El Dorado County

Includes all unincorporated areas of the West Slope and East Slope/Tahoe of El Dorado County and the City of Placerville

Fees 1 Year License 2 Year License 3 Year License
Unaltered Dog $75 $125 $150
Altered Dog $20.24 $40.48 $50
Late Fee $20 $20 $20

City of South Lake Tahoe Residents

Within South Lake Tahoe City Limits only

Fees 1 Year License 2 Year License 3 Year License
Unaltered Dog $112.50 $187.50 $225
Altered Dog $30.36 $60.72 $75
Late Fee $20 $20 $20

View all Animal Service's Fees and Charges

How Do I Replace A Lost Or Worn Dog Tag?

For a Replacement Tag

Animal Services can provide a replacement dog tag for you. There is an $5 replacement fee. You can either come in to our office, or you can mail in a check and we will mail the new tag back to you. If you mail in the request, complete a license application(PDF, 185KB) and indicate that it is a replacement tag.

Send the completed form and check to:

Animal Services
6435 Capitol Avenue
Diamond Springs, CA, 95619

or

1120 Shakori Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Questions

If you have licensing questions call us on the West Slope of El Dorado County at (530) 621-5795, or in South Lake Tahoe at (530) 573-7925. You can also send us an email: animal.services@edcgov.us.

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