HARRISBURG — Department of Agriculture officials announced today that 2016 dog licenses are now available through their local county treasurer’s office and authorized third-party vendors, but Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding also warned dog owners to be cautious about where they buy their license. Some unauthorized websites offer licenses, charging unnecessary fees, and offering little protection for consumers to ensure they get what they pay for.
“Your dog is a member of the family and you take care of family,” said Secretary Redding. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to license your dog. You do it not only because you love your pet, but because it’s also the law. A license allows your pet to be reunited with you more quickly if he or she were to become lost.
“We applaud those owners who license their dogs every year and encourage other owners to do the same, but we also want owners to be cautious because we have learned that there are unauthorized websites offering licenses with little to no protection for consumers. If there is a problem with the transaction and the buyer does not receive a license, he or she may have no recourse with their county treasurer. The bottom line is: protect your pet and yourself. Buy a 2016 license, but be careful where you do.”
Redding explained that unauthorized websites act as an intermediary, or “buyer’s agent,” for someone purchasing a dog license. These buyer’s agents will purchase a dog license online, through an authorized vendor, and then charge an increased fee or mark-up to the buyer. This increased fee does not add any additional value or benefit to the buyer and does not assure the protections of dealing directly with authorized vendors. Online vendors that are authorized by county treasurers may charge a convenience fee for the electronic transaction, but buyers benefit from the assurance that the county treasurer and state will honor that license if the owner has proof of the transaction.
Secretary Redding advised dog owners who wish to purchase a license online to contact their county treasurer first to verify whether an online vendor is an authorized agent. For a complete listing of county treasurers and a link to some of the authorized online agents, visit www.agriculture.pa.gov and search “County Treasurers.”
Under Pennsylvania law, all dogs three months or older must be licensed by January 1 of each year. The fee is $6.50 for each spayed or neutered dog and $8.50 for other dogs. Older adults and persons with disabilities may purchase a license for $4.50 for spayed or neutered dogs and $6.50 for others. Residents should note that some local governments can charge more.
Licensing fees support animal control through the department’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, which is responsible for ensuring the welfare of dogs, regulating dangerous dogs and overseeing annual licensing and rabies vaccinations. An application collects information such as the owner’s contact information and details about the dog being licensed, such as the pet’s name, age, breed and color. The information is used by animal control and shelters to identify lost dogs and get them home safely.
For more information about dog licensing, visit www.licenseyourdogPA.com or call the department’s Bureau of Dog Law at 717.787.3062.
