Licensing Your Pet

The Escondido Humane Society provides dog licensing services for residents within the cities of Escondido and San Marcos. Beginning July 1, 2005, we will also be providing licensing services for the city of Poway.

Click here for Rabies & Licensing Clinic Dates, Times and Locations

Click here to print a License Application

Rabies Vaccinations and Dog Licensing

• The owner of every dog over the age of four months is required by law to ensure that his or her pet is currently vaccinated against rabies (SDCC Section 62.610) and licensed (SDCC Section 62.620[a]). 

You must purchase a license

a) Within thirty (30) days after reaching the age of four (4) months.
b) Within thirty (30) days of acquiring the dog or
c) Within thirty (30) days after entering the jurisdiction of these ordinances.

Failure to obtain a license as listed above or to renew the license by the expiration date will result in a late fee.

Dog owners who fail to comply with rabies vaccination or licensing requirements are subject to costly penalties.

• Rabies vaccination of dogs (a prerequisite for licensing) has been highly effective as an animal and public health measure, and is especially important in areas like ours where the potential threat of exposure to rabies from wildlife is a significant concern.  The primary or first rabies vaccination is good for one year, and the second vaccination given one-year later, and subsequent (or booster) vaccinations are valid for three years
  
• Rabies Vaccination must be effective through the entire licensing period. License expirations are assigned the longest time period permissible under current state and local laws based on the license duration you select and the time left remaining on the rabies vaccination submitted with the application.

•  A dog's license tag, which must be securely fastened to the dog's collar or harness and worn by the dog at all times (SDCC Section 62.620[e]), provides a uniform system of identification, as well as a visible means of ensuring that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.

If you've recently moved to Escondido or San Marcos and your dog is currently licensed elsewhere, you may be able to transfer that license for a nominal fee for the duration of the rabies vaccine, if the vaccine used has been approved for use in the State of California.