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.

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.

You may obtain a replacement tag by sending a check or money order in the amount of $3 payable to "City of Raleigh Animal Licensing" to the mailing address below. Please include a copy of your license receipt or a note to designate for which pet you are purchasing a replacement tag.

City of Raleigh Animal Licensing
PMB 232
6040-A Six Forks Rd
Raleigh, NC 27609

City of Raleigh license tags may not be transferred.

If you have made a duplicate payment for your license, you may be eligible for a refund. Please send your written request to the mailing address below and include the tag numbers for both licenses that you received.

City of Raleigh Animal Licensing
PMB 232
6040-A Six Forks Rd
Raleigh, NC 27609

Animal licensing is done on a calendar-year basis, and all licenses expire annually on December 31st.

City of Raleigh Animal Control
919-831-6311

Wake County Animal Shelter
820 Beacon Lake Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27610
919-250-1475

SPCA of Wake County
327 Hwy 70 East
Garner, NC 27529
919-772-3203

If the pet is wearing a city license tag, please enter the five-digit tag number in the tag search box on the left side of the page. If you need assistance, you may call our office at 1-888-738-3463.

If an Animal Control Officer finds your pet, and your pet is wearing a current license tag on its collar, you will be contacted and told where you can pick up your pet. If another citizen finds your pet, they may use the tag number to contact you through our online search or by calling 1-888-738-3463.

If your pet is not licensed with the City, visit the City of Raleigh animal shelter to search for your pet. You may also want to visit the SPCA of Wake County and the Wake County Animal Shelter.

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 the City monitor compliance with local and state rabies vaccination laws.

Licensing also helps Animal Control identify family pets, should an animal become lost. The fees from licensing are used to care for animals at the City shelters 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

The City of Raleigh Animal Control Code requires that all cats and dogs over the age of four months which are kept within the city limits of Raleigh be licensed annually with the City.

View the complete City of Raleigh ordinance

Due Date

Payment for your license is due annually by January 31st. Early licensing begins December 1st.

License Term

Animal licensing is done on a calendar-year basis, and all licenses expire annually on December 31st.

The City of Raleigh chose to privatize animal licensing in 1998 to improve the efficiency of the licensing program and provide better service to its citizens.

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.