Pets Safety Winter feature

2022 dog licenses are on sale now!

Get your pup the best gift of all: the safety and security of an up-to-date dog license.

Here’s how to get a Dog License in Chester County https://www.chesco.org/1112/Dog-License

License Your Dog. It’s the Law:

  • All dogs three months or older must be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year
  • Owners of non-licensed dogs can be cited with a maximum fine of $300 per dog plus court costs
  • Dog wardens randomly canvass neighborhoods to ensure all dogs are licensed, violators may be fined
  • If your dog gets lost, a current license is the fastest way to get your dog back home
  • Licensing fees help the millions of dogs in Pennsylvania by funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
  • Purchase a license from your local county treasurer or issuing agent
  • An annual license is $8.50 and a lifetime license is $51.50, if your dog is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.50 and lifetime is $31.50, discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities

Pennsylvania’s Dog Laws:

  • If your dog is not licensed, you may be fined up to $300 per dog. Get a license at your county treasurer’s office.
  • Your dog must be under control and supervised at all times. You are responsible for any damages caused by your dog on someone else’s property.
  • It is illegal to mistreat or abuse animals. Report suspected abuse to your local humane organization or police.
  • Purposely poisoning a dog, whether it is yours or someone else’s, is illegal.
  • You may not abandon or attempt to abandon any dog. You could be fined $1,000 plus court costs.
  • Puppies under eight weeks old cannot be bartered, traded, sold, or transferred.
  • You must have a kennel license if you keep, sell, transfer, adopt or foster at least 26 dogs in a calendar year.
  • If your dog attacks or kills a human or domestic animal without provocation, it may be considered dangerous. You may face extensive fines and restrictions.

#LoveYourDogLicenseYourDog