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 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.

You may obtain a replacement tag by sending a copy of your prior license receipt or a note to designate the pet for which you are purchasing a replacement tag. If you need assistance, you may contact customer service by email or call toll-free at 1-855-223-1680.

If this is the first replacement tag which you have requested, there is no charge. Subsequent tags will require a check or money order payable to "City of Asheville" in the amount of $5.00 to the mailing address below. Please do not send cash.

Asheville 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.

If you are the new owner of a currently licensed pet, you may obtain a transfer license by submitting the following items:

1. A signed and dated note from the previous owner including the pet's current license number.
2. A completed license application from the new owner.

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

Licenses may not be transferred from one pet to another pet.

A refund may be available for the following reason:

1. 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.

Refunds are not available for unused time or if the animal is altered during the licensing period and you paid at the higher rate.

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

Licenses are valid for the entire calendar year in which they were purchased and must be renewed by January 1st of each year. Licenses expire on December 31st of each year and are considered invalid upon failure to provide proof of current rabies vaccination.

Asheville Humane Society
16 Forever Friend Lane
Asheville, NC

To report stray animals or for questions unrelated to licensing, please call Asheville Animal Services at (828) 252-1110.

If the pet that you have found is wearing a City of Asheville license tag, please enter the tag number in the tag search box to the left or call our office toll-free at 1-855-223-1680 for assistance.

Sheltering of strays for the City of Asheville is provided by the Asheville Humane Society.

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 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 at least every other day. Sheltering of strays for the City of Asheville is provided by the Asheville Humane Society. You may also contact Asheville Animal Services at (828) 252-1110 regarding your pet.

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. 

Licensing Ordinance

All dogs age 6 months of age or older (or with a set of permanent canine teeth) in the City for more than 30 days in a 12-month period are required to be licensed annually. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required for all dogs 4 months of age or older.

Owners of puppies too young to require a license by law may check with their local veterinarian about obtaining a free dog license under the Asheville Puppy License Program.

Violations of the Animal Services Ordinance, including failure to license, result in Penalties starting at $50.00.

Other permits may also be required. For more information, please click here.

View the complete City of Asheville ordinance

Due Date

You must purchase a license within 30 days of obtaining a dog 6 months of age or older (or with a set of permanent canine teeth) or within 30 days of moving into the City of Asheville. Any dog kept in Asheville for 30 days or more in any 12 month period must also be licensed.

License Term

Licenses are valid for the entire calendar year in which they were purchased and must be renewed by January 1st of each year. Licenses expire on December 31st of each year and are considered invalid upon failure to provide proof of current rabies vaccination.

In addition to licensing, permits are required for anyone keeping a fertile or unaltered dog or cat 6 months of age or older, and for keeping 7 or more pets in one household. Permits may be purchased on the main floor of City Hall, 70 Court Plaza, Asheville. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. For questions about Animal Permits, call (828) 259-5872.

The City of Asheville chose to privatize animal licensing beginning in 2011 to promote animal licensing, to increase the cost-effectiveness of the program, and to provide additional services to its citizens.

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.

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 licensing data should contact the City of Asheville.