Gilroy, California 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?

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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 or 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 "Gilroy Animal Licensing" in the amount of $4.00 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 are renewing your pet's license, please indicate that a replacement tag is needed on the renewal form and include the replacement tag fee.

Gilroy 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?

Gilroy animal licenses cannot be transferred to a new owner or a different pet. A new license must be purchased.

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Can I obtain a refund?

Refunds may be issued only for duplicate payments and cases where the pet owner did not live in the city at the time the license was purchased.

To request a refund, please send your request in writing or via email to Customer Service. Please include information about where and when your payments were made.

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How long is this license valid?

An initial 12-month license will expire 12 months from the date of purchase. A renewal 12-month license will expire 12 months from the expiration of the prior license.

A three-year license is only available if your pet received a recent three-year rabies vaccination. The three-year license will expire on the same day as the rabies vaccination.

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Where is the local animal shelter?

The Gilroy Police Department has temporary kennels to house found dogs and maintains a list of found dogs.

Gilroy Police Department
7301 Hanna Street, Gilroy
408-846-0350

After 5 days, any animal not picked up is transferred to a local shelter. The City of Gilroy works with the following shelters:

Santa Clara County Animal Shelter
12370 Murphy Avenue, San Martin
408-686-3900
Hollister Animal Shelter
1331 South Street, Hollister
831-636-4320
City of San Jose Animal Care Center
2750 Monterey Rd, San Jose
408-578-7297

To report stray animals or for questions unrelated to licensing, please call 408-846-0350.

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I have found a pet: what should I do?

If the pet that you have found is wearing a City of Gilroy license tag, please enter the tag number in the tag search box above.

The police department has a list of lost and found pets. Anyone losing or finding a pet should contact Gilroy Police Department at 408-846-0350 with the description of the pet (including breed, color, sex, size, collar, tags, eye color, identifying marks, etc.), your name, address, and phone number.

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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 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 contact the Police Department regarding your pet. The Police Department is located at 7301 Hanna St.

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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 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. 

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What are the licensing requirements?

Licensing Ordinance

All dogs 4 months of age and older must be vaccinated for rabies and licensed with the City of Gilroy within 60 days of being in the city.

View the complete City of Gilroy ordinance

Due Date

Payment for your license is due within 60 days of the expiration of your current license. If you are licensing for the first time, you must purchase a license within 60 days of obtaining a dog over the age of 4 months or within 60 days of establishing residence in the City of Gilroy.

A late fee of $25 is added if your license has not been renewed within 60 days of the expiration of your license, or if your pet is over 4 months old and you have been in the city more than 60 days.

License Term

An initial 12-month license will expire 12 months from the date of purchase. A renewal 12-month license will expire 12 months from the expiration of the prior license.

A three-year license is only available if your pet received a recent three-year rabies vaccination. The three-year license will expire on the same day as the rabies vaccination.

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Why was licensing privatized?

The City of Gilroy chose to privatize animal licensing in 2010 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 North America. 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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