Dog Licensing

Pennsylvania’s Dog Laws:
If your dog is not licensed, you may be fined up to $500 per dog. Find where to purchase yours online at LicenseYourDogPa.pa.gov

• It is illegal to mistreat or abuse animals. Report suspected abuse to your local humane organization or police.
• Purposely poisoning a dog, whether it is yours or someone else’s, is illegal.
• You may not abandon or attempt to abandon any dog. You could be fined $1,000 plus court costs.
• Puppies under eight weeks old cannot be bartered, traded, sold, or transferred.
• You must have a kennel license if you keep, sell, transfer, adopt or foster at least 26 dogs in a calendar year.
• If your dog attacks or kills a human or domestic animal without provocation, it may be considered dangerous. You may face extensive fines and restrictions.

Pennsylvania’s Rabies Law:
Ignoring Pennsylvania’s rabies vaccination law can be costly – in more ways than one. Dogs and cats are exposed to the rabies virus through wild and stray animals, posing a threat to their health and yours.

• Dogs and cats three months or older must have a current rabies vaccination
• Owners of non-vaccinated pets may be fined up to $300 plus court costs
• Licensed veterinarians can vaccinate dogs and provide a vaccination certificate
• Dog wardens perform random checks to ensure rabies vaccinations are current

License Your Dog. It’s the Law:

• All dogs three months or older or upon transfer must be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year
• Owners of non-licensed dogs can be cited with a maximum fine of $500 per dog plus court costs
• Dog wardens randomly canvass neighborhoods to ensure all dogs are licensed, violators may be fined
• If your dog gets lost, a current license is the fastest way to get your dog back home
• Licensing fees help the millions of dogs in Pennsylvania by funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
• Purchase a license from your local county treasurer or issuing agent
• An annual license is $10.80, and a lifetime license is $52.80, discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities

To find out how to purchase your 2026 dog license visit: http://www.LicenseYourDogPa.pa.gov and click on your county