City of Alexandria, Virginia Not your city or county?

Common Questions

Questions About Notices

Questions About Current Licenses

Questions About Lost and Found Animals

Questions About Pet Licensing

Questions About PetData

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Why did I receive this notice?

Please choose the option that best describes the notice you received:

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Why am I being billed when I have a current license?

There may be several reasons why you received a bill when you have a current license. We're happy to help with your account information - please fill out this form to begin the process.

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When will I get my license tag?

The metal license tag is permanently assigned to your pet, and you will not receive a new tag during the renewal process unless requested. If you have lost your tag or it has become unreadable, please pay the replacement tag fee when you mail your renewal, and a new tag will be mailed with your license registration. Otherwise, a receipt only will be mailed.

We will mail your tag and license receipt within 10 business days from the day we receive your completed license application and payment. Please allow an additional 3-5 business days to receive your tag or receipt in the mail. If we have not received correct payment or proper documentation, you will be notified via mail and the processing of your license will be delayed.

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How do I get a replacement tag?

You may obtain a replacement tag by sending a check or money order payable to "City of Alexandria" in the amount of $1.00 to the mailing address below. Please do not send cash. Please include a copy of your license receipt or a note to designate the pet for which you are purchasing a replacement tag. If you need assistance, you may call customer service at 1-855-884-9553.

If you are renewing your pet's license, please indicate that a replacement tag is needed on the renewal form and include the replacement tag fee.

Alexandria Animal Licensing
c/o PetData
PO Box 141929
Irving, TX 75014-1929

Only one license tag can be active at one time. Requests for multiple tags for the same animal cannot be fulfilled.

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Can I transfer a license?

Licenses may not be transferred from one owner to another owner or from one pet to another pet. Please purchase a new license.

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Can I obtain a refund?

A refund may be available for the following reasons:

  • If a duplicate payment was made for the same pet and the same license term. Be sure to include the pet's current license tag number if it is available, and as much information as possible regarding your payments.
  • If a previously spayed or neutered pet was licensed at the unaltered rate. Be sure to include proof of alteration dated prior to the licensing date.

To request a refund, please send your request in writing or via email to Customer Service.

Alexandria Animal Licensing
c/o PetData
PO Box 141929
Irving, TX 75014-1929

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How long is this license valid?

Licenses may be purchased for up to 3 years, with fees charged accordingly, as long as the rabies vaccination is valid for the same period of time. Licenses expire on the last day of the month in which the vaccination expires. If a one-year license is purchased and the vaccination term is longer, the license is valid for 1 year from date of purchase and will expire on the last day of the month. Rabies laws state that the license term cannot exceed the rabies expiration date.

Multi-year licenses are only available if the rabies vaccination is current for the same time period. The license cannot be valid longer than the expiration of the rabies vaccination.

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Where is the local animal shelter?

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
4101 Eisenhower Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 746-4774

To report stray animals or for questions unrelated to licensing, please go to www.alexandriaanimals.org or call Animal Welfare League of Alexandria at 1-703-746-4774.

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I have found a pet: what should I do?

Sheltering of strays for the City of Alexandria is provided by Animal Welfare League of Alexandria at the Vola Lawson Animal shelter at 4101 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria.

If the pet that you have found is wearing a City of Alexandria license tag, please call our office at 1-855-884-9553 for assistance.

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I have lost a pet: what should I do?

If an Animal Services Officer finds your pet, and your pet is wearing a current license tag on its collar, Animal Services will contact you. If another citizen finds your pet with its license tag, they may use the tag number to contact you by calling the phone number on the license tag.

If your pet has been lost, Animal Services recommends that you visit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria at 4101 Eisenhower Avenue to look for your pet at least every other day. Go to the finding a lost pet page for more tips to help you find your missing animal.

Sheltering of strays for the City of Alexandria is provided by Animal Welfare League of Alexandria at the Vola Lawson Animal shelter at 4101 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria. You may also contact Animal Services at 1-703-746-4774 regarding your pet.

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Why should I license?

Licensing helps Animal Services identify family pets, should an animal become lost. The fees from licensing are used to care for animals and investigate complaints about stray animals, among other services. Other goals of animal licensing are to promote responsible pet ownership and to reduce the tragedies associated with lost pets and pet overpopulation.

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What are the licensing requirements?

Licensing Ordinance

All dogs and cats 4 months of age and older must be licensed with the City of Alexandria, Virginia within 30 days of being in the city.

View the complete Alexandria ordinance:

City of Alexandria Ordinance

Due Date

Payment for your license is due within 10 days of the expiration of your current license. If you are licensing for the first time, you must purchase a license within 30 days of obtaining a pet over the age of 4 months or within 30 days of moving into Alexandria.

License Term

Licenses may be purchased for up to 3 years, with fees charged accordingly, as long as the rabies vaccination is valid for the same period of time. Licenses expire on the last day of the month in which the vaccination expires. If a one-year license is purchased and the vaccination term is longer, the license is valid for 1 year from date of purchase and will expire on the last day of the month. Rabies laws state that the license term cannot exceed the rabies expiration date.

Multi-year licenses are only available if the rabies vaccination is current for the same time period. The license cannot be valid longer than the expiration of the rabies vaccination.

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Why was licensing privatized?

The City of Alexandra chose to privatize animal licensing beginning in 2015 to promote animal licensing, to increase the cost-effectiveness of the program, and to provide additional services to its citizens.

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Who is PetData?

PetData, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, provides animal licensing services for municipalities and animal welfare agencies throughout the United States. The company, a member of the National Animal Control Association, has been in business since 1994. PetData’s goals are to increase animal licensing, to reduce animal euthanasia, to educate the community, and to help solve animal control problems.
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Does PetData sell information?

We at PetData consider the privacy of our clients to be of paramount importance. PetData has never sold information or data to any third-party. PetData does not use any personally identifiable data collected for any purpose other than for those purposes as required by client contracts.

We do not respond to requests for information from non-client individuals or corporations, nor do we release information without the express written consent of our clients. PetData does not and will not share or sell client data with any other parties or make client data publicly available unless authorized by the client or required under a legal subpoena. All data belongs to our clients, and PetData serves only as a custodian for client-owned data.

Groups or individuals requesting data should contact their City or County directly as PetData will only release data to our contracted clients.

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