2023 Dog Licenses Available at County Treasurers’ Offices
Pennsylvanians can now purchase 2023 dog licenses from their county treasurers. State law requires all dogs three months and older to be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year.
An annual dog license is $8.50, or $6.50 if the animal is spayed or neutered. Lifetime licenses are available for dogs with permanent identification like a microchip or tattoo. Older adults and people with disabilities may be eligible for discounts.
The dog license application is simple. It only requires owner contact information and details about the dog, including name, age, breed, and color.
[Insert name of county treasurer] offered these reasons for dog licensing:
- A license is the best way to get your dog back if they get lost. A license helps animal control and shelters identify a dog and its rightful owners, and anyone can see the dog’s tag. Microchips are not always easy to find.
- It’s the law. All dogs three months and older must have a current license.
- The cost of a license is far less than the penalty for being caught without one. Owners who fail to license their dogs can face a fine of up to $300 for each unlicensed dog.
- License fees support animal control and public safety. The annual fee to license a dog helps keep shelters running and supports the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement’s vital services to protect dogs and the public. Last year, the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement:
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- Enforced health and safety regulations, upholding Pennsylvania’s high standards for conditions in kennels by licensing 2,817 operations and conducting more than 5,943 inspections.
- Investigated nearly 800 dog bites, and monitored 679 dogs deemed dangerous by magisterial judges, helping to ensure that dog owners keep dangerous dogs under control.
For more information, contact Chester County Treasurer Patricia Maisano at 610-344-6370 or Email. For a list of county treasurers, visit www.licenseyourdogPA.com or call the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement Office at 717-787-3062.
- Purchase an annual dog license online with a credit/debit card or echeck. After completion of payment, a proof of license can be printed and the license and tag will be mailed to you the following business day.
- Print the annual dog license application and mail in along with payment. Mail payment to:
Chester County Treasurer’s Office, Attn: Dog License, 313 West Market St. Suite 3202, PO Box 2748, West Chester, PA 19380
For more information, visit the Chester County website https://www.chesco.org/1112/Dog-License
