Here’s how to register your pet in Modesto before animal control knocks on your door

Dominique Williams
·2 min read

The Stanislaus County Animal Services Agency says that to save stress, money in citation fees and a hefty doggy-bail payment if your furry friend gets lost and taken to the shelter, county residents must purchase a dog license.

Animal control officers have begun going door-to-door in Modesto and other cities in the county to enforce this ordinance.

Here’s how to purchase or renew a license for your dog, according to Stanislaus County:

License fees and lengths

For dogs who are spayed or neutered, a nonrefundable license fee is $12 for one year, $24 for two years and $36 for three years.

License costs for unaltered dogs are $150 for one year, $250 for two years and $350 for three years.

Residents age 65 and older receive a senior citizen discount, paying 50% of the original license prices.

The animal’s rabies vaccination must be valid for the same period of time for which residents are buying the license. The dog license expiration may not exceed the rabies vaccination expiration.

How to register your dog

With proof of a current rabies vaccination, a dog license can be purchased by filling out a form and mailing it to:

Stanislaus Animal Services Agency

3647 Cornucopia Way

Modesto, CA 95358

Residents can go to the services center at the address above to purchase a license in person.

Licenses can also be purchased or renewed online.

Late fees and citation fees

All dogs that are 4 months or older must be licensed in Stanislaus County. Failure to purchase a license could result in a $251 citation.

If paid within 30 days after the due date, the fee for a late license renewal is $12.

Licenses are not transferable. Residents must purchase a license in their own name.

If residents move, change their phone numbers or had pets that were given away or is died, they can call DocuPet at 1-877-239-6072, email info@docupet.com or call the Animal Services office at 209-558-7387, option 0, to get the information updated in their pets records.

The Bee’s Erin Tracy contributed to this story

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