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 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 request a replacement tag 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 and 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 1-855-332-4646.

Manatee County 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.

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

A refund may be available 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.

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

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

Licenses expire one (1) year from the date of issuance.

Manatee County Animal Services
305 25th St W, Palmetto

To report stray animals or for questions unrelated to licensing, please call Manatee County Animal Services at (941) 742-5933.

If the pet that you have found is wearing a Manatee County license tag, please enter the tag number in the tag search box to the left or call our office at 1-855-332-4646 for assistance.

Sheltering of strays for the County is provided by Manatee County Animal Services.

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 resident finds your pet with its license tag, they may call the phone number on the license tag and you will be put in touch with the person who found the pet.

If your pet has been lost, Animal Services recommends that you visit the shelter to look for your pet at least every other day. Strays are sheltered at Manatee County Animal Services. You may also contact Manatee County Animal Services at (941) 742-5933 regarding your pet.

Animal Services also recommends contacting area shelters to file a report with them:

1. Humane Society of Manatee County at (941) 747-8808 ext 314
2. Bishop SPCA at (941) 792-2863
3. Honor Animal Rescue at (941) 306-5863

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 and cats 4 months of age and older must be licensed with Manatee County within 3 business days of being in the county or acquiring the pet.

View the complete Manatee County ordinance

Due Date

Payment for your license is due on the the expiration date of your current license. If you are licensing for the first time, you must purchase a license within 3 business days of obtaining a pet over the age of 4 months or within 3 business days of moving into Manatee County.

License Term

Licenses expire one (1) year from the date of issuance.

Manatee County chose to privatize animal licensing beginning in 2014 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 data should contact their City or County directly as PetData will only release data to our contracted clients.