Broward County law requires both dogs and cats to wear an official Broward County pet license. This license tag should be worn by your pet at all times.

“Indoor” animals are not exempt from Broward County’s Pet License requirement. Every day, Broward County Animal Care receives “indoor” animals that have slipped out an open door or window, escaped through weak or loose screening and become lost, injured, or even killed by vehicles. The easiest way for you to be reunited with your pet is to ensure he is wearing a Broward County Pet License. To acquire a license, your pet must be at least four months old, and have a current rabies vaccination. Your animal should receive its first rabies vaccination and first pet license at four months of age. After that, licenses and rabies vaccinations must be renewed annually (three year renewal option also available).

Animals that have a tattoo or microchip identification are still required to have a Broward County Pet License. Guard dogs and dogs declared vicious are required to wear a special license.

Exemptions Ferrets are not required to have a Broward County Pet License. If your veterinarian has determined that the rabies vaccination would be detrimental to your pet’s health, he may issue a Waiver Certificate. The Waiver Certificate waives or exempts your pet from receiving the rabies vaccination for health reasons. The Waiver Certificate should be signed by your veterinarian and sent to Broward County Animal Care.

The Waiver Certificate does not exempt your pet from the Broward County Pet License requirement.

Types of Licenses

You can purchase either a one-year Broward County Pet License or a three-year Broward County Pet License. You can also purchase either a one-year or three-year rabies vaccination.

If your dog or cat receives a one-year rabies vaccination from your veterinarian, you can only purchase a one-year Pet License. If your dog or car receives a three-year rabies vaccination from your veterinarian, you can purchase either a one-year OR a three-year Pet License. If you purchase a three-year rabies vaccine and a one-year Pet License, you must remember to renew the license when it expires in 12 months, even though your pet’s rabies vaccine is still valid for another two years.

One-year licenses are valid for one year from the date of the rabies vaccination, and three-year licenses are valid for three years from the date of the rabies vaccination. For example, if your pet receives a one-year rabies vaccination and a one-year Pet License on September 1, 2010, the license is valid for one full year until September 1, 2011. If your pet receives a one-year rabies vaccine on September 1, 2010, but you do not purchase the Pet License until October 1, 2010, the license is valid for only 11 months, because the Rabies Certificate expires on September 1, 2011.

Cost of License

Refer to Broward County Animal Care’s fee schedule for current cost information. Be aware that some veterinarians charge an additional handling fee to cover administrative costs. Remember that license fees are used to feed and care for animals at the shelters, and $2.00 from each license issued is directed to the SPOT (Stop Pet Overpopulation Together) program, which promotes responsible pet ownership through spaying and neutering.