Common Questions

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

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.

The metal license tag you receive with your first license is permanently assigned to your pet, and you will not receive a new tag during the renewal process. If you have lost your tag or it has become unreadable, please request a replacement by enclosing the replacement tag fee of $8.00 (or $2.00 for seniors) either at the time of renewal, or at any time during the term of your current license.

If this is your first license, we will mail your tag and 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 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.

You may obtain a replacement tag by sending a check or money order in the amount of $8.00 (or $2.00 for seniors) payable to "Oakland Animal Services" to the mailing address below. Please include your pet’s name and license tag number to designate the pet for which you are purchasing a replacement tag.

Oakland Animal Shelter
Attn: Animal Licensing
1101 29th Ave
Oakland, CA  94601

A current license may be transferred to the new owner of a currently licensed pet. Please mail your request of ownership change, a signed statement from the original owner authorizing the transfer and a check or money order for $10 payable to "Oakland Animal Services" to:

Oakland Animal Shelter
Attn: Animal Licensing
1101 29th Ave
Oakland, CA  94601

A refund may be available if a duplicate payment was made for your license. To request a refund, please send your request in writing or via email to Customer Service. Be sure to include the pet’s current license tag number if it is available, and as much information as possible regarding your payments and where the payments were made.

Oakland Animal Shelter
Attn: Animal Licensing
1101 29th Ave
Oakland, CA  94601

Your dog’s license can only be valid for the length of your dog’s rabies vaccination.  You may not purchase a license beyond the expiration date of the rabies vaccination.  Licenses can be purchased for 1, 2 or 3 years.

Oakland Animal Shelter
1101 29th Ave
Oakland, CA  94601

To report stray animals or for questions unrelated to licensing, please call 510-535-5602.

Residents of the City of Oakland may have their pet microchipped at the Oakland Animal Shelter for $10.00. No appointment is required.

If the pet that you have found is wearing a City of Oakland license tag, please enter the tag number in the tag search box above. If you need assistance, you may call our office toll-free at 1-888-782-6057.

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

If your pet has been lost, Animal Services recommends that you visit the shelter to look for your pet.

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 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 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.

Licensing Ordinance

All dogs 4 months of age and older in the City of Oakland must be vaccinated for rabies, microchipped and licensed with the City. Dogs new to the city or undergoing a change of ownership must be licensed within 30 days.

For more information, please read the complete ordinance.

Due Date

By ordinance, licenses are due within 90 days of your pet’s vaccination date or prior license expiration date.

A late fee of $15.00 will be added for late licenses and additional $15.00 for every additional month late up to $45.00.

License Term

Your dog’s license can only be valid for the length of your dog’s rabies vaccination.  You may not purchase a license beyond the expiration date of the rabies vaccination.  Licenses can be purchased for 1, 2 or 3 years.

The City of Oakland chose to privatize animal licensing in 2006 to promote animal licensing, to increase the cost-effectiveness of the program, and to provide additional services to its citizens. Fees from animal licensing continue to be deposited to the City and benefit the animals in their care.

PetData, Inc., headquartered in Farmers Branch, 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 1993. PetData’s goals are to increase animal licensing, to reduce animal euthanasia, to educate the community, and to help solve animal control problems.

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 those as determined 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 client agencies. Groups or individuals requesting licensing data should contact the individual client's animal services agency director as we release data only to our contracted client.