License & Microchip
Sonoma County Animal Services
How to License Your Dog
Sonoma County Animal Services is partnered with DocuPet for licensing. If you live in the City of Santa Rosa or Unincorporated Sonoma County, please license your dog through:
- Docupet: sonomacounty.docupet.com (online is the fastest option)
- Mail: click here for the mail-in license application
- Phone: 707-565-7100
- In person: 1247 Century Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
If you do not live in the City of Santa Rosa or Unincorporated Sonoma County, please see below to purchase a dog license from the agency that serves your community.
Dog License Fees
City of Santa Rosa and Unincorporated Sonoma County
| Fee Type | Fee | Senior Fee (62+)** |
| Altered Dog* | $16.00 | $14.00 |
| Unaltered Dog | $19.00 | $19.00 |
| Late Fee, if paid after the license expiration date: $9.00 | ||
*Proof of spay/neuter is required to receive the altered fee.
**Proof of age is required to receive the senior citizen rate.
Why License Your Pet
- It is required for Sonoma County dogs over the 4 months and older.
- It is proof your pet has been vaccinated against rabies.
- Your dog's DocuPet tag will be linked to a secure online profile to help them return home if lost.
- Each DocuPet tag comes equipped with the HomeSafe™: a 24 hour hotline for Lost Pet Services.
- Upgrade to a designed tag and 20% of all sales are donated to Sonoma County Animal Shelter through DocuPet’s Safe & Happy Fund.
- Your license fee helps our animal shelter provide services to over 2,500 pets a year.
- Any pet picked up in our jurisdiction with a valid license and microchip will receive a free ride home with one of our Animal Services Officers.
License Your Cat
- Licensing your cat is voluntary (cat licensing is not required by law in Santa Rosa or Unincorporated Sonoma County)
- Landlords or apartment/condo complexes may require cats to be licensed. Please check with your landlord or manager for more information.
- Your cat's license shows the community that your pet is a loved member of your family.
All cat licenses are a one-time fee.
City of Santa Rosa and Unincorporated Sonoma County Cat License Fees
| Fee Type | Fee |
| Altered Cat | $12.00 |
| Unaltered Cat | $12.00 |
Microchip Your Pet
- A microchip is a small chip (about the size of a grain of rice) that is inserted under the loose skin on the back of your pet's neck.
- This chip is barcoded and serves as permanent identification for your pet.
- The procedure takes about 15 minutes, depending on the number of customers.
- Microchips are the fastest way for your pet to get home if lost.
- Registration is good for a lifetime, so you can update your contact information without needing to pay additional fees.
- You can bring your pet to the shelter at 1247 Century Court, Santa Rosa, to get a microchip during business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm.
- Fee is $34.00.