The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture reminds Pennsylvania dog owners to purchase a 2024 license from their county treasurer by Jan. 1. Licenses both are a legal responsibility of owning a dog and protect all Pennsylvania dogs and are the best way to bring a lost pet home quickly.
All dogs three months of age and older are required to be licensed in Pennsylvania. An annual license is $8.70, and a lifetime license is $51.70. If the animal is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.70, and lifetime is $31.70. Lifetime licenses require that the dog have a microchip or tattoo. Discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities.
A dog license purchase keeps all PA dogs and communities safe by funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement’s work:
- Inspecting Pennsylvania’s boarding and breeding kennels and ensuring the health and wellbeing of dogs housed there.
- Investigating and prosecuting illegal kennel operators.
- Ensuring that dogs in breeding operations don’t go without veterinary care.
- Protecting the public by monitoring dangerous dogs, investigating dog bites, and holding owners responsible.
- Reuniting licensed lost dogs with their families.
- Helping unlicensed lost dogs find shelter.
- Licenses can be purchased through Pennsylvania’s county treasurers.
Licenses can be purchased through the Bucks County Treasurer’s office. Its phone number is (215) 348-6244, and its email is treasurer@buckscounty.org.
On Jan. 21, the Dog Law Modernization Act, will take effect, bringing added protections for Pennsylvania’s dogs, consumers, and communities. Learn details of these changes and more about Pennsylvania’s Dog Law here.
