Licenses / Tags

In Pinellas County, it is required by law that pet owners obtain a license for their cats & dogs. In order to obtain a pet license, each dog and cat over the age of four months must receive rabies vaccinations or an exemption letter from their veterinarian. Once a rabies certificate or exemption letter is obtained

from their vet the form is brought into Pinellas county Animal Service or sent in by mail and a license will be issued.

The county license tags are valid throughout a pet’s lifetime. An issued licensed tag number will be your pet’s permanent number, just as a Social Security number identifies a particular resident.  Although a license number is permanently identified with a pet, the license expires at the date of the rabies vaccines expiration. Licenses are issued during all regular business hours.

• License renewal:
  

  Fee Schedule for Licenses:
  1-Year	$20
  3-Year	$20
  Rabies Vaccination:
  3 year	$10

  Pet license expiration corresponds to the rabies vaccination expiration date. (See photo of tags). Pinellas County Animal Services sends out renewal notices to all pet owners for renewal of their pet’s license prior to the rabies vaccination expiration date. Three-year rabies vaccines are recommended. Hours for Rabies Vaccination - Thursdays 1-4 p.m.

  • Ferrets must also obtain a rabies shot, but are not required to obtain a license.

• Misplaced or lost license tags:
  If a license tag is misplaced or lost, a resident can receive a replacement tag (with the same tag number) at Pinellas County Animal Services. Requests can be made in person or via regular mail at a cost of $5.00.

• Certified service animals - waived license fees (free)
  • What is a service animal? - Ch 14-61 (h)
    The Board of County Commissioners is authorized to establish reasonable fees for the issuance and renewal of dog or cat licenses. License fees shall be waived for the following:
    
    (1) Those persons who are legally blind and whose dogs are registered Seeing Eye dogs; or those persons who are legally deaf and whose dogs are certified "hearing" dogs; or such other handicapped persons whose dogs are certified and trained to assist the handicapped.

 

• Guard dog permit: (Sec. 14-62. Guard dogs)

  Guard dog means any type of dog used primarily for the purpose of defending, patrolling or protecting property or life at any commercial establishment. Please contact the office at (727) 582-2600 for more information on obtaining a guard dog permit.

   

• Ownership Transfer: Animal Ownership Change/Transfer Form.pdf  

  When ownership of a dog or cat is transferred from one person to another, the original owner shall report the change of ownership to Animal Services whether such change is made by sale, gift, or otherwise, within 30 days.

Veterinary Clinics offer pet licenses

Pinellas County Animal Services strongly encourages every pet owner to establish a relationship with a veterinarian. This relationship is essential for your pet’s health and longevity and is an important component of responsible pet ownership. The following is a list of Pinellas County veterinarians that offer rabies vaccination and county licenses in addition to providing many other important services for your pet’s health.

• List of local veterinarian offices or clinics.

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