Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding is urging dog owners across the state to secure a 2024 license from their respective county treasurers by January 1, 2024. Stressing that licenses are not just a legal obligation but a vital means of safeguarding all Pennsylvania dogs, Redding emphasized the role of licenses in quickly reuniting lost pets with their owners.
“License your dog if you love your dog,” urged Secretary Redding. Emphasizing the simplicity of the process, he highlighted that licensing is the most effective way to protect beloved pets. Even if a dog has a microchip, a visible license on their collar enhances the chances of a swift return home, preventing them from ending up in shelters.
Pennsylvania mandates that all dogs aged three months and older must be licensed. An annual license costs $8.70, while a lifetime license is priced at $51.70. For spayed or neutered animals, the annual fee is reduced to $6.70, and the lifetime option costs $31.70. Lifetime licenses necessitate the inclusion of a microchip or tattoo. Discounts are available for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
The purchase of a dog license contributes to the funding of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement’s critical responsibilities, including:
Inspecting boarding and breeding kennels to ensure the health and well-being of housed dogs;
Investigating and prosecuting illegal kennel operators;
Ensuring dogs in breeding operations receive necessary veterinary care;
Monitoring dangerous dogs, investigating dog bites, and holding owners accountable;
Reuniting licensed lost dogs with their families;
Assisting unlicensed lost dogs in finding shelter.
Fines for unlicensed dogs range from $50 to $300, plus court costs, significantly surpassing the cost of obtaining a license.
Dog licenses are available for purchase through Pennsylvania’s county treasurers. Beginning January 21, 2024, Act 18 of 2023, known as The Dog Law Modernization Act, will take effect, introducing additional protections for Pennsylvania’s dogs, consumers, and communities.
