A dog license is required for all dogs and horses in Los Angeles. Cats are not required to be licensed. License tags identify guardians of lost animals. Each tag has a unique number assigned to your animal. If a licensed animal is lost or taken to a shelter, LA Department of Animal Services can identify the guardian by the tag number and contact the registered animal guardian. Animals with licensing information will be held in shelters while the guardians are contacted.
If you do not license your dog, you may be issued a ticket by the “doggie police” when you are walking, or hiking in areas such as Runyon Canyon, Baldwin Park Hills, Griffith Park, etc.
We do not include a dog license in your adoption fee because only the dog’s owner can register.
You can now register a new dog license, as well as renew online.
