Why should I license my pet?

The Chesapeake City Ordinance requires that all dogs and cats residing in the City of Chesapeake be licensed. EVERY dog and cat in the City must have a license at the age of 4 months. This is a different and separate tag from your rabies tag. Licenses must be renewed at the beginning of each calendar year. Dogs are required to wear their license. Failure to provide a license for your pet and to keep it current may result in a misdemeanor summons to appear in court. Upon conviction, the maximum fine can be $250.00

Licenses look like this:

The cost for a license per calendar year is:

• Un-neutered dogs or cats: $10.00

• Neutered dogs or cats: $4.00

Some Other Reasons Why You Should License Your Pet and See That He or She Wears It:

• Wearing a license tells everyone that your pet is not a homeless stray and that the owner cares enough to register the pet legally.

• Wearing a license makes your pet eligible for the "Free Ride Home" program if it becomes lost or strays.

• Wearing a license means that the Chesapeake Animal Services Unit will telephone you or send you a notice if your lost pet comes into the shelter.

• Wearing a license means that if your pet is lost and becomes injured, you can be notified promptly so that your pet can receive medical care. Medical treatment of animals without identification and with no known owner may be very limited. Surely this is a decision you wish to make on behalf of your pet.

• A license helps to pay for animal care services and allows Chesapeake Animal Services Unit to enforce laws for the protection and control of animals. Some of these include protection against dangerous animals and investigation of animal bites.

• A license helps to support Animal Services investigations of complaints of abuse, neglect and abandonment of animals.

• A license helps to support the shelter so that homeless animals may be cared for and adopted by loving families

• A license helps to pay for 24 hour emergency services so that any seriously injured or sick stray animal can be rescued and cared for.

• A license is the perfect accessory for any collar!!

• A LICENSE IS A LOST PET'S TICKET HOME EVEN IF HE DOESN'T KNOW HIS PHONE NUMBER!!!!!

On the Resources Page we have provided a list of locations where licenses may be purchased. Remember, you must present a valid rabies receipt (not a tag) when you purchase a license.

Application & information for dog or cat license