Did you know that the law requires dog owners to obtain a license for their dogs? All dogs (and cats) over the age of four months must be licensed in Los Angeles County. Dog licensing provides pet owners with assistance in finding their animal should it become lost. Your animal license fee also includes a free micro-chipping for your pet.

The City of Santa Clarita contracts with the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control Department for the provision of animal services within our City, including licensing. Licensed animals are also provided with regular updates when their rabies vaccination is due, and the small cost of your animal license helps to care for injured animals, lost dogs and cats, animal adoptions and more.

Since the recession, the local animal shelters have seen a 20% plus increase in the number of animals coming to their shelters. Loss of homes, jobs and downsizing have forced many pet owners to sadly give up their animals who often soon find their way to the animal shelters.

Beginning this spring, canvassers from the L.A. County Animal Control will begin door-to-door visits in Santa Clarita to help license animals. The County canvassers will be able to provide a new license tag on the spot for newly licensed animals. Renewals for your license will also be available through this service. Through June 2010, there will be no extra “canvassing charge” for this door-to-door licensing service but unlicensed animals after that time may be charged a fee if they are not licensed. You are encouraged to obtain a pet license as soon as possible or renew your existing license so that you are in compliance.

The cost to license your spayed/neutered animals in Santa Clarita is significantly less than for unaltered dogs and cats. Also, a significant senior citizen discount (60 years of age and older) is provided for Santa Clarita residents. For a complete list of license fees, how to license your pet and other information, please contact the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control Department at (562) 728-4706, or online at www.animalcare.lacounty.gov.

Note: Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, has lent his support to the City of Santa Clarita to help promote the importance of animal licensing in our community. Look for Cesar and his dog Junior in the City’s local campaign!