Hernando County, Florida 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?

We will mail your tag 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 in the mail. If we have not received correct payment or required 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 in the amount of $5.00 payable to "Hernando County Animal Licensing" 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.

Hernando County Animal Licensing
C/O PetData
PO Box 141929
Irving, TX 75014-1929

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Can I transfer a license?

Currently, a tag cannot be transferred in Hernando County. If you have recently moved into the Hernando County or have recently adopted a pet, please apply for a new license.
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Can I obtain a refund?

A refund may be available only if you have made payment twice for the same licensing term. For further information, please email Customer Service or call 1-877-762-2039.
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How long is this license valid?

Licenses may be purchased for 1 or 3 years, with fees charged accordingly, as long as the rabies vaccination is valid for the same period of time. Licenses expire on the anniversary date of the vaccination. The license term cannot exceed the rabies expiration date.
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Where is the local animal shelter?

Hernando County Animal Services
19450 Oliver Street
Brooksville, FL 34601

Animal Services Links

To report stray animals or for questions unrelated to licensing, please call the shelter at 352-796-5062.

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I have found a pet: what should I do?

If the pet is wearing a Hernando County license tag, please enter the tag number in the tag search box on the left side of the page. If you need assistance, you may call our office toll-free at 1-877-762-2039.
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I have lost a pet: what should I do?

If an Animal Control Officer finds your pet, and your pet is wearing a current license tag on its collar, Animal Services will contact you. If your licensed pet is spayed/neutered and has not had any violations in the past twelve months, your pet may be eligible for a Free Trip Home, which would allow you to pick up your pet from Animal Services free of charge. This translates into savings of nearly $200 in boarding fees and fines.

If another citizen finds your pet with its license tag, they may use the tag number to contact you through our online search or by calling toll-free 1-877-762-2039.

If your pet has been lost, Animal Services recommends that you visit the shelter every four days to look for your pet. The shelter is located at 19450 Oliver Street in Brooksville.

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Why should I license?

The primary reason is to prevent the spreading of rabies. Rabies is a constant health threat, and rabies vaccinations are good for your pet’s health. Did you know that rabies is 100% fatal for humans if not treated properly? Animal licensing helps Hernando County Animal Services monitor compliance with local and state rabies vaccination laws.

Licensing also helps Animal Services identify family pets, should an animal become lost. The fees from licensing are used to care for animals at the Hernando County Animal Shelter 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

Anyone owning a dog, cat, or ferret four months of age or older in Hernando County must have their pet vaccinated against rabies either annually or tri-annually and purchase a license. Wolf hybrids must be licensed annually on a calendar-year basis. The license tag must be worn on the pet’s collar whenever the pet is outside.

View the complete Hernando County ordinance

Due Date

Payment for your license is due within 30 days of the expiration of your current license. If you are licensing for the first time, you must purchase a license when the pet reaches 4 months of age.

License Term

Licenses may be purchased for 1 or 3 years, with fees charged accordingly, as long as the rabies vaccination is valid for the same period of time. Licenses expire on the anniversary date of the vaccination. The license term cannot exceed the rabies expiration date.
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Why was licensing privatized?

Hernando County Animal Services chose to privatize animal licensing in 2003 to promote animal licensing in the County and 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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